Class of 2026 Stock-risers

[player_tooltip player_id='728706' first='Sophi' last='Hutchinson'], Spring Valley, CG, 5-8, So. (2 to 1) - Sophie Hutchinson or [player_tooltip player_id='570285' first='NuNu' last='Pannell']? That is the question? Do you go with the kid who melded effortlessly into a state-championship caliber contender or do you go with maybe the best kept secret in the state at PG? In the end Hutchinson won out as she immediately joined a championship caliber team and made them better? Is that to say Pannell didn't do the same thing? Of course not. She certainly did. But, Hutchinson's versatility on defense, her scoring prowess and the sense for the big moment pushed her up to the top spot. Those aspects made it virtually impossible to keep from No. 1. College coaches can look at her and see a blossoming leader with a versatile game on both ends of the floor not to mention the ability to mesh well with senior leaders - her ability to build that trust with her group was a incredible thing to watch as the year progressed to this point.   [player_tooltip player_id='570288' first='Rilee' last='Storm'], John Marshall, SF, 5-8, So. (5 to 4) - What kind of season did Storm have to move up one spot? A pretty darn good one. There was not doubt about it. Leaving anything but her best on the court would not have moved her up in the rankings. She ended up delivering her best. In a year where big piece [player_tooltip player_id='342217' first='Kaitlyn' last='Blake'] transferred to Wheeling Central, Storm transformed her game. She went from being just a scorer and rebounder to adding defense, vision and leadership to her resume in just a few months. Anyone who saw John Marshall could see as much, she was often one of the reasons the Monarchs conquered their opponents. Her skilled set allowed to her excel at multiple pieces at the same time. She could be a great rebounder and scorer on one night. One night later, she switched to being more of a facilitator and defender. Overall, her court awareness definitely moved her up in these standings.   [player_tooltip player_id='653258' first='Kennedy' last='Porter'], PHS, P, 5-10, So. (22 to 6) - Porter's low post moves and ability to effectively guard some of the best players sent her flying up this list. That's right, her moves on the block and her defense. Sure, those aspects of her game may not be the most exciting part of a game, but her improvement and ability in those areas makes her a valuable piece to a college team. What do I mean? She's shown at times this year this uncanny ability to twist her body and make it to the hoop no matter where she is in the lane. In a game where defense means everything, her cunning opens up plenty of doors for her. Then, she's guarded some of the best players in the state downlow and come away always looking solid. She's held her own against names like [player_tooltip player_id='379527' first='Zaniah' last='Zellous'], [player_tooltip player_id='384101' first='Allie' last='Daniels'], [player_tooltip player_id='384296' first='Shayla' last='Montgomery'], Abbie Eastman, [player_tooltip player_id='385771' first='Amara' last='Jackson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='389632' first='Josie' last='Cross']. As a result of both of her accomplishments, she's risen up the rankings.   [player_tooltip player_id='570560' first='Brooklyn' last='Shupe'], East Fairmont, P, 5-8, So. (48 to 7) - Shupe made the biggest leap in the standings for a big reason. She made one of the biggest leaps for a kid in the state. Shupe zoomed up to the secondary option for East Fairmont. Her rebounding has shown brightest of all. As East Fairmont runs a quick transition game, her caroms have been key in jumpstarting [player_tooltip player_id='379505' first='Kenly' last='Rogers'] or Kailee Hammond's sprint down the court. Once the ball leaves her hands, the Bees are on the other end and causing trouble. If she gets down to the other end of the floor, you can expect her to attack the rim. She also plays strong on both ends of the floor. Add her rebounding to her gathering confidence on offense, and you have a post player who should only get better in her last two high school years.   [player_tooltip player_id='640828' first='Lauren' last='Flanagan'], PG, 5-2, So. (8 to 4) - [player_tooltip player_id='640828' first='Lauren' last='Flanagan'] knows the point guard position. Like that back of her hand. She's well aware of her duties and she's all too happy to go out and facility, and maybe throw some points in there for good measure. She's a kid who has shown the ability to learn the preferences of her teammates when it comes to putting them in best position to score. She can penetrate deep and then kick out to an open teammate. She has an uncanny court presence about her that's hard to teach. She may be five-foot-2, but if you recruit her you are recruiting an amazing competitor and team-first kid.

Sophi Hutchison Sophi Hutchison 5'8" | CG Spring Valley | 2026 State WV , Spring Valley, CG, 5-8, So. (2 to 1) - Sophie Hutchinson or NuNu Pannell NuNu Pannell 5'6" | PG Capital | 2026 State WV ? That is the question? Do you go with the kid who melded effortlessly into a state-championship caliber contender or do you go with maybe the best kept secret in the state at PG? In the end Hutchinson won out as she immediately joined a championship caliber team and made them better? Is that to say Pannell didn't do the same thing? Of course not. She certainly did. But, Hutchinson's versatility on defense, her scoring prowess and the sense for the big moment pushed her up to the top spot. Those aspects made it virtually impossible to keep from No. 1. College coaches can look at her and see a blossoming leader with a versatile game on both ends of the floor not to mention the ability to mesh well with senior leaders - her ability to build that trust with her group was a incredible thing to watch as the year progressed to this point.