Little Kanawha Conference Sophomore Preview I

Sophomores have a tough job at the high school basketball level. They are no longer freshmen, which means they must continue to build on the knowledge and progress they made during their first year on the varsity roster, while adding another year's worth of basketball knowledge to their repertoire. Here are the Little Kanawha Conference sophomores who have had outstanding summers:    DeWeese can help any college basketball team on the defensive end of the floor. She is a pest. Blessed with a high basketball IQ, rebounding skills, and an instinct for where the ball is going to go, she is a lockdown defender whose eyes are always scanning the defense. Her athletic ability is second to none as she is a three-sport athlete at St. Marys High School.     Pritchett has a bright future in the game of basketball, especially if she chooses to play at the college level and go on to become a coach. As a freshman one year ago, she made several heads-up plays in the Blue Devils' Class A state championship game win over Gilmer County. One of those great plays was a slick cut to the basket for a backdoor layup from a pass from teammate Brynnlee Bulluck. Set up in the middle of the lane, Pritchett gave her Gilmer County Titan defender the slip, raised her hand for the pass, caught the ball and put up a great shot. Pritchett's intelligence extends to the plays no one will see. She makes basketball-winning plays. Coaching-wise, she has a keen ability to teach players the game of basketball and convey what she sees on the court in-game to coaches and players.     McBridge is very talented on the floor. She has a chance to be one of the best players in the Little Kanawha Conference during the upcoming season. The thing I like most about McBride? She is a smart player who knows how to create space for her own shot. She can start and finish with both hands. She is a must-have weapon at the next level.     Hardbarger could help out a college team at multiple positions. She has the handles and basketball vision to be a point guard. She has the three-point shooting of a shooting guard. Blessed with great confidence for the game, she can defend multiple positions and can rebound the basketball like a small forward or power forward. Coaches at the Division II and III level will want to take a flyer on this Rebel.     Casinelli is starting to develop the foundation to be a solid spot-up shooter. Her great footwork and agility allow her to set up and release her shot quickly. Her high basketball IQ ensures she will get a good shot. She has an easily repeatable shot and is aware enough to make in-game adjustments if necessary. Coaches should keep an eye on this Wirt County Tiger.     This winter, Hall will play point guard for her Wirt County Tigers. She is a pass-first guard quite capable of shot creation for her teammates. She sees the court well and can pass the ball sideline to sideline and in traffic. However, thanks to her height and quick first step, alongside her ability to shoot, coaches could slot her in at small forward should she decide to play at the college level.     Hatcher is a speed demon waiting to be discovered by the right college coach. She is a defensive specialist who shoots the 3-ball well. She has quick hands and feet and will pick a defender's pocket if they are not paying attention to her. Her speed also makes her a terrifying option in the transition game, where she can slash to the rim, hit a backdoor shot, or finish close to the rim.

Sophomores have a tough job at the high school basketball level. They are no longer freshmen, which means they must continue to build on the knowledge and progress they made during their first year on the varsity roster, while adding another year's worth of basketball knowledge to their repertoire. Here are the Little Kanawha Conference sophomores who have had outstanding summers: