Mary Ostrowski Award: 5 Sleepers in Next Year’s Race

With several underclassmen that were in the mix for the Mary Ostrowski Award (given the West Virginia state player of the year) this season coming back, there are plenty of favorites to keep an eye on in the 2020-2021 season. That includes this year’s winner, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="153323" first="Kalissa" last="Lacy"]</strong> of George Washington. But Lacy wasn’t necessarily a favorite to win the award entering this season and nearly every year, one or more players come from under the radar to make a run at the honor. That figures to happen again next year as well. Here are five players to keep an eye on once award time rolls around in 2021. <span style="color: #00ccff;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="153372" first="Peyton" last="Ilderton"] -- Logan -- 2022 -- Guard</strong></span> Playing on teams that have struggled a bit in terms of wins and losses over the past two years, Ilderton hasn’t quite reached the level of state notoriety that her game likely deserves. Ilderton is as well-rounded as any guard playing in the State of West Virginia. A dynamic ball handler, versatile scorer and a tremendous shooter, Ilderton’s 5-foot-6 frame also gives her decent size at the point guard position. Graduation will hit several teams fairly hard next season, but Logan should be improved, especially by the addition of Chapmanville-transfer <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="153396" first="Abbie" last="Myers"]</strong> (2022), another point guard that should take some of the scoring and ball handling burden off of Ilderton. Look for the Wildcats to make some noise next year and look for Ilderton to force her way into some conversations she likely should have already been in. <strong><span style="color: #00ccff;">[player_tooltip player_id="153373" first="Amya" last="Damon"] -- Greenbrier East -- 2022 -- Guard</span></strong> In making the state tournament in both her freshmen and sophomore seasons, Damon isn’t quite as unknown as Ilderton. Since her arrival at the high school level, Damon has shown the ability to take games over, using her 5-9 length and athletic ability to hurt defenses both inside and outside. Seniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="153279" first="Haley" last="McClure"]</strong>, <strong>Kate Perkins</strong> and <strong>Taylor Dunbar</strong> will all be gone, meaning much of the show now belongs to Damon. Along with that uptick in responsibility, should come a corresponding statistical increase that would largely help push Damon from a second-team, All-State player to the player-of-the-year debate. <strong><span style="color: #00ccff;">[player_tooltip player_id="153333" first="Prosperity" last="Stitt"] -- Martinsburg -- 2021 -- Guard</span></strong> Martinsburg is a team to keep an eye on among the big schools. The Bulldogs lose one senior, though it is a significant loss in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="153273" first="Morganne" last="Andrews"]</strong>. However, Stitt has been a starter since her freshman season and would seem more than ready to take over as the team’s premiere scorer. The team relies largely on defense and a balanced attack, meaning Stitt’s numbers could be a little below other players in the conversation, but her presence on both sides of the floor is undeniable when watching Martinsburg play. With as solid as the Bulldogs should be next season, here’s guessing an improvement in her numbers -- even if marginal -- added to even more team success is enough to get Stitt some attention. <strong><span style="color: #00ccff;">[player_tooltip player_id="153328" first="Aaliyah" last="Brunny"] -- Parkersburg Catholic -- 2021 -- Guard/Forward/Center</span></strong> Yes, that position breakdown is correct and that’s what makes Brunny such a unique weapon. At 6-1, there is no easy answer to the quandary Brunny presents opposing defenses, especially considering that she’s just as comfortable firing 3-point attempts and handling the ball at the top of the key as she is posting up or doing damage on the offensive glass. Reclassification next season will finally get the Crusaderettes out of the shadow of St. Joseph as the Irish will move to Class AAA in a new four-class system. A real opportunity exists in the new Class AA for Parkersburg Catholic to make a run at a state title. Obviously, that kind of exposure should only help Brunny. <strong><span style="color: #00ccff;">[player_tooltip player_id="153371" first="Dionna" last="Gray"] -- St. Joseph -- 2022 -- Point Guard</span></strong> While <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="153320" first="Grace" last="Hutson"]</strong> (2021) is likely the player to lead the St. Joseph contingent in postseason honor considerations, don’t count out Gray either. Gray came into her own as a sophomore, averaging 11.3 points per game for an Irish team that finished in the top 25 nationally. As the team’s point guard, Gray will direct traffic in the team’s offense and with senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="153270" first="Bailee" last="Adkins"]</strong> graduating, Gray will likely have to take on additional leadership duties as well. With Adkins gone, Gray’s ball distribution will be even more important to the Irish’s success. Now in the newly-formed Class AAA, marquee postseason matchups will be more plentiful, attracting more fans, more media and more attention to the St. Joseph point guard.