Class of 2025’s Stock-risers and Newcomers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The class of 2025 rankings were thrown into chaos when two of the summer rankings' top 10 members (Olivia Bolduc and [player_tooltip player_id='384008' first='Kilah' last='Dandridge']) announced they would be transferring out of state. The rankings became more chaotic after a summer where I saw much more of this class play in the biggest moments in trips to Pittsburgh for the WPA Bruins Tip-Off Event and Louisville for not only the Run 4 Roses Championships, but also the GUAA Session II in the same building. Truthfully, I was impressed with the talent in the class and the ability it has to impact not just the NCAA Division I level, but every level of collegiate ball. There will be players from this class everywhere in the college landscape in just three years time. The level of competitive desire and fire in this group is nothing short of tremendous. But enough of my chatting, here are the biggest stock-risers and newcomers from what may be may favorite class in the state: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='379522' first='Brooke' last='Adkins'], Wayne, PG, 6-0, Jr. (5 to 2) </strong>- Brooke's stock shot up this summer. Rocketed up, really. She's put herself smack dab in the Mary Ostrowski race and even secured her first two Division I offers with some outstanding play at every stop on the schedule. Perhaps, it is difficult to believe, but it is all true. There's only one player above her in now in the Class of 2025, and that is because the amount of [player_tooltip player_id='379527' first='Zaniah' last='Zellous']' D-I offers dwarf Adkins. She pulled even with Zellous in terms of comprehension of what will be expected from her at the college level. Brooke truly transformed into a true combo guard unafraid of dominating games from the PG position or SG position. Her vision rocked, her scoring arsenal became limitless, and she's truly cemented herself as the leader of the Pioneers as we enter fall camp. The best part of her game I watched this summer was her ability to break down defenders off the dribble, she didn't do it often, the Thunder team she played on was one of the most talented in the organization. But, she created her own windows and own shots when she felt it was necessary for her to take over. Don't be shocked if this young lady and Zellous tie for the Mary O Award when voting concludes in March. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='384100' first='Dria' last='Parker'], Spring Valley, SF, 5-10, Jr. (11 to 4)</strong> - I watched [player_tooltip player_id='384100' first='Dria' last='Parker'] so much this summer that I will never have to worry about identifying her on sight, again. Basketball-wise, I watched as her game truly took up much of the watch time I had with her team. Where I was unsure on her defensive capabilities before the summer, I no longer question her abilities on the most important end of the floor. Parker can guard many different positions and body types, and her brand of defense will play at the next level. She may be hurt by the high school refs in W.Va. because she's so aggressive and many refs don't put up with it in the Mountain State. But, I watched her make college-bound players uncomfortable with her ability to "stick" to her defender and always force them to go where she wanted them to go. Simply, you weren't going to have a good time if she was guarding you. Then, her offensive game really cemented her rise in the rankings. She's a sneaky scorer who really knows how to generate points, but she's also a sneaky good rebounder. She's really working hard toward crafting a masterpiece of a game that will play at the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='342217' first='Kaitlyn' last='Blake'], John Marshall, SF, 5-9, Jr. (36 to 20) </strong>- Blake can shoot the basketball. She can flat out shoot the basketball. Give her a lot of daylight, a little daylight, or no daylight at all and she can find a good shot for herself. I would really like to see her get stronger, and maybe fill out a little more so bigger defenders don't force her off her spot. That developed toughness will come in handy. But, the kid can shoot at all levels and she's really put herself in a great place to head to a Division II school with a ready game thanks to playing against some of the best teams in two states in the Ohio Valley Athletic Conference. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='382709' first='Lacee' last='Smith'], Huntington St. Joe, SG, 5-6, Jr. (UR to 7)</strong> - Smith's ACL injury may have sidelined her for a year, but it didn't take away many parts of her game originally making her standout. She still shoots the basketball with confidence, and can fire off shots at a quick rate if given just a moment of opportunity. This young lady is going to dominate Class A this year as a member of the Irish. She's just that far ahead of many of the kids in the classification. She's quick. She's smart. She scores at all levels. She's going to open some eyes as St. Joe looks to return to the state tournament for the first time in quite a while. Fans should expect Smith to be at the front of that charge. I am looking forward to seeing her get back on the basketball court, for sure. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='722964' first='Addie' last='Issacs'], Midland Trail, CG, 5-8, Jr. (UR to 11)</strong> - This young lady is just a competitor. There's no other word to describe her. When she's on the court, she's balling out. 100%. If there is a player in the state right now, who reminds me the most of Sydney Baird, it is Issacs. Her tough attitude, her make-up being comfortable as the top player on a team, and equipped with a tool set to make you worry about her at all times, she really is the Webster County legend, all over again. One of the things I love the most about her, like Baird, is the 3 isn't always the first option. She uses the three more as a psychological weapon. She will dribble inside the arc for a long two if it nets her a more sure shot, but she won't hesitate to pump her teammates up with a 3 if she gets the opportunity. Furthermore, this young lady is all ball and no talk. She doesn't have an ego, and simply lets her play do the talking. Spectacular. I look forward to seeing her play in person in the upcoming school year as Trail has a real shot at Charleston. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Newcomers</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='382709' first='Lacee' last='Smith'], Huntington St. Joe; [player_tooltip player_id='722408' first='Riley' last='Meadows'], PikeView; [player_tooltip player_id='722418' first='Adrienne' last='Truman'], Nicholas County; [player_tooltip player_id='722964' first='Addie' last='Issacs'], Midland Trail; [player_tooltip player_id='722888' first='Faith' last='Thompson'], Cabell Midland; [player_tooltip player_id='730106' first='Rumor' last='Barnhouse'], Midland Trail; [player_tooltip player_id='722409' first='Austyn' last='Barnes'], Shady Spring; [player_tooltip player_id='730100' first='Brooke' last='Christian'], Chapmanville Regional; [player_tooltip player_id='617132' first='Maddie' last='Fields'], Greenbrier West; [player_tooltip player_id='728695' first='Taysia' last='Gray'], Oak Hill; [player_tooltip player_id='722412' first='Autumn' last='Kerchner'], Keyser; [player_tooltip player_id='723405' first='Charity' last='Reichard'], Meadow Bridge; [player_tooltip player_id='722893' first='Kierston' last='Rozell'], Meadow Bridge; [player_tooltip player_id='722405' first='Ella' last='White'], Preston</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->