Mary Ostrowski Award predictions

The Ostrowski Award is named for Mary Ostrowski, a former Parkersburg Catholic standout who led the Crusaders to an 88-game winning streak and state championships in 1977 and 1978. She was a three-time player of the year award winner before moving on to a successful career at the University of Tennessee where she was a two-time All-American and the MVP of the 1984 NCAA Final Four. Here are the players I think will compete for the award this season:    Pryor has voter history on her side. Well, maybe. Of the previous returning 9 award winners, only two of them went on to not win the award the next season. GW's own Kalissa Lacy and Parkersburg South's Taryn McCutcheon were not repeat winners. McCutcheon moved away in the middle of her junior season, while Lacy finished runner-up to co-winners Fairmont Senior's Marley Washenitz and Nitro's Bailee Goins. Pryor had an outstanding summer and now has the pressure of a commitment off her back after she signed with Bowling Green. Should she average anywhere close to her 19.7 points, 6.8 boards, 4.3 assists and 4.2 steals, it is hard not to see her name on the award for a second straight season. The biggest question with GW is will she average those numbers? The Patriots go 10 deep and it is no secret that GW head coach Jamie LaMaster and company believe this is the most talented team he has ever had, which means the goal is a state championship. Does Pryor play enough in the regular season to grab her numbers from last year? It is an interesting question.     [player_tooltip player_id='722078' first='Kayli' last='Kellogg'] is excited to get back on the high school court. No doubt about it. As she has committed to West Virginia University, there is only one thing she has to concentrate on during the 2026-27 season - Winning a state championship. Her impact will certainly be large as her shot and defense improved over the summer. Around her, the Morgantown Mohigans have many shooters and play makers, so it is unlikely people will be able to key in on the future Mountaineer. I view Kellogg as the biggest competition to [player_tooltip player_id='718028' first='Jeriyah' last='Pryor'] for the award. Her summer pointed to her bag being fully intact and available, thanks to a full recovery from her ACL injury. I foresee her averaging 18 points a game, as she shoots over 40 percent from 3 for the season, but her defense will make a huge difference as the Mohigans are focused on a championship as hard as Sauron's will was bent on finding the One Ring in The Lord of the Rings.     Dunlap left off this list? Yeah right. It would be an insult to Monroe County and the young lady if she didn't appear as a competitor for this award. Do I think Lydia can win the award? Absolutely. Is it going to take a monumental individual effort? Probably. Having talked to the young lady, and learning she led her team in all statistical categories last season, fans shouldn't be surprised to see her name among the top 3 at the end of the season. One year ago, Dunlap averaged 17.8 points per game as she helped lead the Mavericks to a state championship. Many of the players return from last year's team and it is no question, the Mavericks want to repeat. Does that mean Lydia rests in decided contests? We will have to wait and see.     Talk about the spotlight. Yeesh. Workman will have the brightest lights shined on her from opening night until the end of the Class AAA reigning state champion Greenbrier East Spartans' season. Make no doubt about it. Assuming command after the Spartans lost multiple valuable seniors, she will be the Spartans unquestioned floor general night in and night out. The offense will run through her, the defense will run through her, and many on court adjustments will likely run through her. Is she ready for the challenge? Yes. In an interview with me earlier this year, Workman said she has refused to lower her expectations for the season, regardless of the graduation losses. I could see this senior averaging a triple-double.     Felton is the darkhorse candidate for this award. There is no doubt about it. Everyone else on this list is assertive and a commanding court presence, but Felton has to become that kind of player this year. Keyser needs her at her best if they are to make a run back to the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center. Felton worked toward making that goal a reality this summer. Her long and lanky frame and new defensive mentality allowed her to do a little bit of everything for her [program_tooltip program_id='766870' first='Tri-State' last='Pride'] team. Seeing as she has used this summer to improve her bag on both ends of the floor, it is likely Felton will stand out on both ends of the floor for the Golden Tornado. Her do-it-all attitude may result in a few triple-doubles, as Josh Blowe's squad looks to make a trip to the final game of the season, thanks to her basketball IQ and on-court mentality. Also, her defensive abilities will be on full display, as she plans to guard each opponent's best offensive threat.     Breckenridge has the opportunity to accomplish a pretty cool Mary Ostrowski Award feat in the 2026-27 season. Should she go on to win or co-win the award, Pryor and Breckenridge would be the first pair of teammates to win the award back-to-back in the history of the award. Talent and skill set wise, there is no question she can win this award. But, just like with Pryor, the question is if GW will need her to put up the same 15.1 points per game, 4.8 boards, 2.2 steals, 34 percent from 3, 50 percent from two and 75 percent from the line that she produced during the 2025-26 season. Again, the Patriots, who lost to Parkersburg South in the Class AAAA state semifinals, one year ago, believe they have a state championship-worthy group, so does she get the stats needed to win the award.

The Ostrowski Award is named for Mary Ostrowski, a former Parkersburg Catholic standout who led the Crusaders to an 88-game winning streak and state championships in 1977 and 1978. She was a three-time player of the year award winner before moving on to a successful career at the University of Tennessee where she was a two-time All-American and the MVP of the 1984 NCAA Final Four. Here are the players I think will compete for the award this season: