West Virginia Thunder Rise (’26)
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WV Thunder is an organization known all across the country! If you get a chance to play this WV Thunder team, you will get better! Below are the athletes that represent the ’26 Rise team: Kailee Haymond WV #8 SG…
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Continue ReadingWV Thunder is an organization known all across the country! If you get a chance to play this WV Thunder team, you will get better! Below are the athletes that represent the ’26 Rise team:
Haymond averaged 10.4 points per game during the high school season. Don’t be surprised if she averages that and more during the AAU season. She shot 56% from the field and 32% from downtown! She was all-state honorable mention & she was Big 10 conference 2nd team! Kailee is a quick guard! She’s a good on ball defender with a great understanding of help defense! After watching numerous highlights, she is definitely a shooter that you don’t want to leave open. She has great mechanics with a beautiful form! Kailee is a high energy player that you want to put on your radar!
Highlights
I watched Stewart numerous times throughout the season, and I was left impressed after each game! Kennedy is one of the most confident shooters that you are going to find! She was 4A All State 2nd team and Coalfield Conference 1st team! Stewart averaged 16.8 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists per game during her sophomore season! After messaging with her coach, she’s considered a gym rat. I’ve spoken to many people who have stated the same thing. Kennedy is a guard that wants to be better in every aspect! She is a floor general and an extension of a coach on the court! She can drill the 3 point shot with range and she has an extremely quick release! She never needs much space to get her shot off either! She is one of the savviest players that you are going to find! I’ll reiterate that the ceiling is extremely high for this one!
Fox is a combo guard that can run the point or leak out on the wing to shoot! She’s an athlete that will do whatever is needed! Fox is a good defender! She stays active on defense and has quick hands! She didn’t start at the beginning of the season for her high school team, but worked her way into the starting lineup! There was no denying Fox! Brianna is an athlete that puts in the work! She is another pure shooter on this really good Rise team!
Highlights
Gabby is definitely one of scrappiest athletes that you are going to find! I combed through numerous highlights and game film, two things remain the same in every one of them: her energy and her effort! She also has good court vision! Gabby is a solid point guard that makes good decisions. Who doesn’t love a guard that knows exactly how to turn defense to offense?
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Rushworth is the athlete that is just beginning to scratch her surface! She is definitely one with an extremely high ceiling! Mary finishes strong and great around the rim! She was a part of the AA 2nd team all-state team! She is blessed with great size and length! She is long and athletic! This one has huge upside and she averaged 17.8 points and 5.7 rebounds per game during her sophomore season! Go ahead and call this one a stock riser because if she puts in the work, she is going to be in a class of her own!
Keener continues to improve every year! She was AAA Honorable Mention all state and you can expect to see her name higher next season! A double-double machine that averaged 16 points and 12 rebounds per game during her high school sophomore season. Kenna is extremely long and athletic! She knows exactly how to use her size and length! She has great instincts around the rim! Kenna is a natural at making opponents alter their shots. She is also a good shot blocker! Keener is a great interior defender! This one definitely has all the tools and attributes to be an extremely special player!
Highlights
Ellis has a great mid-range game! It is hard to find a lot of athletes that have the mid-range game at the high school level! You will love watching Brooklyn! She is a good scorer that knows how to get a bucket! In my opinion, Ellis is a versatile player that can play a few different positions. The value she adds to any team that she plays on is apparent! She is one of the most impactful players that you will find on the court!
A MSAC Honorable Mention post that will see her stock continue to rise! She’s a strong, physical athlete that plays extremely well with her back to the basket. If you let Sophie get you on her backside in the paint, count it! Kelly is a fundamentally sound athlete that is a great rebounder! She is going to put a body on you and she is going to box you out! You will see Sophie bump you in the lane too! She truly has tremendous upside to her game!
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Porter averaged 9.8 points and 7.9 rebounds per game during the high school season! She was 2nd Team All MSAC and she was a 4A Honorable mention! This should tell you exactly how strong 4A is in the state of WV! Kennedy brings a strength and physicality to the court that can’t be taught! She has good footwork and you can tell she continues to work on it! She is extremely patient once she gets the ball! She also has a great understanding of which way she is going as soon as she feels the player on her hip! Keep your eyes on this post player!
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The WV Thunder Rise coach stated, “This entire team has great attitudes toward the game. They will all have the chance to play basketball at the next level. High IQ team.” I can’t agree more! Each player on this roster has tremendous upside! If all of the athletes continue to work, you are going to see them all at the next level! Phil Jackson said it best, “The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team.”
Good Luck to all of you during your AAU season! I’m excited to watch the growth in each player and follow each of you throughout your high school careers!