Class of 2024’s Stock Risers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='379495' first='Finley' last='Lohan'] and Ashlynn Van Tassell sat locked in a tough tug-of-war for the top spot at the beginning of the season. That tug-of-war raged on as the season went along. Both girls grew in their positions and both of them had earned the opportunity to be the top player in the rankings. Lohan only finished at the top spot, because someone had to be No. 1. Here are a list of a few other players who saw their stock rise as the season went on: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='877304' first='Brooklyn' last='Edge'], Wheeling Central, PG, 5-6, Sr. (UR to 14)</strong> - Edge definitely can help someone at point guard at the next level. No doubt about it. The senior understands when it is go time and when it is read time. Edge can see the floor well and she can make all the needed passes. Those passes are crisp and delivered only in a place her teammate could catch them. She has no trouble shouting out commands to her teammates and moving them into position. Her basketball IQ is superb. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='877315' first='Haley' last='Newsome'], Nitro, W, 5-11, Sr. (UR to 19)</strong> - Newsome's defensive intensity really stood out to me as I watched her play this past season. She rarely gives her offensive assignment a chance to get any breathing room. Perhaps, the best example of her extraordinary defense came in a game where Ripley's [player_tooltip player_id='375427' first='Sophie' last='Nichols'] scored 50 points with Newsome on her. Newsome repeatedly forced Nichols into tough shots and was always in her face when Nichols looked to score. Her hands were up and the pressure was on. Nichols just hit the shots, sometimes there is nothing you can do about that. However, Newsome smothered her as she smothered the other players she guarded as Nitro won a Class AAA state title. Newsome also set great and well-timed picks for her teammates. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='877498' first='Paige' last='Smith'], Morgantown, CG, 5-8, Sr.</strong> - [player_tooltip player_id='877498' first='Paige' last='Smith'] hustles on the basketball court. Hard. She makes sure she's always in the middle of the action on both sides of the ball. She can be a solid role player for a D-II or D-III team. She always makes the pass to set up her team for a better shot. She sets the picks for her teammates. And, occasionally, she nails a 3 when she's open for a shot. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='383999' first='Kayli' last='Derrow'], John Marshall, SF, 5-9, Sr. (45 to 22)</strong> - Derrow defines the word dependable. Definitely. Don't use any other word to describe the John Marshall senior. She does what is asked of her in any contest and she does it all with a smile. She really didn't have a choice this past season. With scoring threat [player_tooltip player_id='342217' first='Kaitlyn' last='Blake'] gone, the Monarchs needed Derrow to step up. And, she did. Coupled alongside [player_tooltip player_id='570288' first='Rilee' last='Storm'], the two propelled the Monarchs to a sectional semifinal. Derrow blended together a mix of athleticism, luck, a solid scoring touch, and toughness into a great final year in Glen Dale. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='877456' first='Sarah' last='Price'], Musselman, W, 5-9, Sr.</strong> (UR to 24) - The Applewoman brought a ton of stuff off the bench for Musselman in their run to the Class AAAA state tournament. Her lanky form gave head coach Tim Potter a versatile defender. Combined with her energy, her body and overall ability to be anywhere on the floor created many problems for many opponents. Price used her large stride to nullify many opponent's first step. Price didn't just excel on defense. She averaged seven points a game on a team that liked to slow things down. She chose her shots wisely and never rushed anything. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->