Grassroots: W.Va. players to watch at WPA Bruins Tip-Off Classic

<strong>[player_tooltip player_id="153410" first="Jayda" last="Allie"], WV Thunder 2023, G/F, Jr., 5-7</strong> - [player_tooltip player_id="153410" first="Jayda" last="Allie"] stands out an early front-runner for the 2023 Mary O Award. There’s just no avoiding that fact. She’s already in that position thanks to being one of the most confident and composed players in the entire state. She never gets rattled. She’s got a great attitude on the floor and really seems to enjoy time on the hardwood with a day-at-the-office-like approach combined with a twist of fun. The strongest part of her game is her 3-point shot. Her release and elevation are solid and you always get the field that her shot is going in. Quite simply, she earns everything she gets. <strong>Ava Gallion, WV Thunder 2026, CG, 8th, 5-4</strong> - Ava Gallion may be the biggest freshmen addition to any high school team in the state. That’s not putting it lightly. In a class that features some solid possible first-year contributors, her skills command that kind of attention. Unlike a lot of people who list themselves as combo guards, she actually IS a combo guard. The biggest thing to love about this young lady is her ball handles. She’s already comfortable dribbling and finishing with either hand. Her speed allows her plenty of opportunities to decide which hand to finish with. She blows by slower guards and quickly drives down the lane. She looks right at home in a trap defense with her quick hands and feet. This is a kid who will cause plenty of headaches for W.Va. prep coaches in the coming years. <strong>Mariah Johnson, WV Thunder 2027, CG, 7th, 5-8</strong> - Like Gallion, her close friend, Johnson brings some mean handles to the hardwood. It’s almost like she takes after her sisters and NCAA Division I players Mychal and Michelle. Almost. But, she’s still her own player. Besides her handles, she’s a solid shooter with a high basketball IQ who isn’t afraid to play scrappy on both ends of the floor, if that’s what it takes. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="382709" first="Lacee" last="Smith"], WV Thunder 2025, CG, So., 5-7 -</strong> I am not sure what it is with the WV Thunder players on this list being combo guards, but Smith definitely is another one who fits the bill. What sticks out the most about her is how she switches between both rather seamlessly. This past school year she shared the roles with [player_tooltip player_id="153371" first="Dionna" last="Gray"] and created more headaches for Highlander opponents. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="379527" first="Zaniah" last="Zellous"], WV Thunder 2025, PF, Fr., 6-1</strong> - Moving away from combo guards to a gifted post player, there’s good reason Zellous already owns an offer from Pitt - She looks the <img class=" wp-image-197034 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/08/Z-300x245.jpg" alt="" width="127" height="104" />part of a power forward, right now. Sure, if you aren’t aware of the crazy athleticism Thunder players are known for, then it seems a little absurd. But, it really isn’t. In a world where power forwards don’t just live on the block anymore, Zellous fits that bill well. Can she sit on the block and work with whether or not she’s face or back to the basket? Sure. She’s tall and moves well. It’s one of the most exciting parts of her game, honestly. But, there’s more to her. She runs the floor and handles the ball. She scores at all 3 levels, and she’s going to be ready for Division I competition maybe even come her senior year of high school. <strong>Amara Jackson, WV Thunder 2024, PF, So., 5-10</strong> - This young lady is about to open up eyes in AAU circuits this summer. If you want someone who can guard a multitude of different players, shoot the ball well, and possesses a basketball IQ through the roof, you want to take a look at Amara Jackson. She’s long, competitive and plays harder than any player on the floor. She can finish around the rim, shoot the elbow extended jumper, and cause plenty of chaos on the defensive end of the floor. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="375427" first="Sophie" last="Nichols"], WV Thunder 2024, PF, So., 5-10</strong> - Sophie is a great scorer who can score in bunches. She uses her 3-level range to open up the floor and then dares you to shut her down. If you fall for the first pump fake at the 3-point line, she will blow by you for a mid-range jumper or a quick finish at the rim. In addition, her long and lanky frame allows her access to different types of defense. She moves well and isn’t beaten on that end of the floor very often. Other girls to keep an eye on Abby Paulsen, WV Lady Reign Aleigh Cheeseman, WV Lady Reign