WV Prep Basketball Showcase Top Performers
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WV Prep BB organizers held their second annual Top 100 showcase on September 24th in Morgantown WV. The showcase featuring WV’s top players provided a wide range of skill challenges as well as 5 on 5 competition with rosters stacked…
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Continue ReadingWV Prep BB organizers held their second annual Top 100 showcase on September 24th in Morgantown WV. The showcase featuring WV’s top players provided a wide range of skill challenges as well as 5 on 5 competition with rosters stacked to the max. Several college coaches were on hand to witness the display of size and skill amongst WV’s best, here are our top performers as seen by our scout as well as others in the building.
Cruz Isaly Cruz Isaly 6’0″ | PG Williamstown | 2025 State WV certainly showed his assertive and aggressive style of play on both ends, with the defensive end being the most outstanding. A bulldog defender and what we refer to as “downhill point guard” Cruz certainly live up to his reputation as one of WV’s best small school players.
Highlights
Loakkae Uth-Smith
Loakkae Uth-Smith
Loakkae Uth-Smith is bursting onto the prep basketball scene in WV. The lengthy guard from Spring Mills is turning heads recently with defensive effort and a quickly developing offensive game. The big guard is in the already deep 2025 class and has just recently become a known commodity to many around WV. Excited to see the further development of this imposing young guard.
No surprise to anyone in attendance, Ammar Maxwell Ammar Maxwell 6’3″ | SG Shady Spring | 2024 State WV was hot from the word go in this showcase. Maxwell of course is one of the state’s top players overall and is getting many looks at multiple levels and has offers in hand. He showed last Sunday he is exactly what we thought he was.
Zane Saunders Zane Saunders 6’7″ | PF South Charleston | 2025 State WV is one name folks just became acquainted with this past summer so the anticipation to see him last Sunday was plentiful. Saunders did not disappoint in any way. Several raved about his fluid athleticism at 6’7″ and what seems to be a skill set that’s ahead of schedule for a junior of that size. Many coaches at multiple levels are awaiting his development in the coming season to deliver offers.
Alex Starcher Alex Starcher 6’5″ | PG Teays Valley Christian | 2026 State WV is one we’ve been waiting to write about. According to our scouts present Sunday, Starcher lives up to his billing. Standing at 6’5″ with quick feet, Starcher caught our eye with his ability to defend. Nonetheless, his offensive showing certainly disappointed nobody and he took full advantage of why he’s known at one of WV’s top sophomores as well as top overall players. The upcoming season will certainly be a big one.
Highlights
Caleb Thomas Caleb Thomas 6’6″ | PF Spring Mills | 2025 State WV is just always ready to compete. Thomas has been billed as one of the best forwards in WV and by some the best player in the 2025 class of WV. While that may be debatable, something that isn’t is Thomas’s obvious and steady development as somewhat of a swingman/power forward. His face up skills give him a little edge over opponents and that’s exactly what our scout reported on Sunday. Thomas simply overwhelms smaller or slower opponents all the while being an elite shot blocker on defense. An exciting year coming up for one of WV’s most exciting prospects.
RJ Hairston RJ Hairston 6’3″ | PF Bluefield | 2024 State WV set himself apart last Sunday, showing his multi-sport athleticism and strong framed body to put opponents at a disadvantage. Hairston who also stars on the football field showed everyone in the gym he hasn’t forgot how to use the roundball. An exceptional athlete we believe Hairston might have a tough decision ahead as to what sport he might play at the next level.
Chayse Shipley Chayse Shipley 6’2″ | CG Martinsburg | 2025 State WV has certainly put the eastern panhandle on notice, but now the rest of the state is starting to get a peek at the junior guard from Martinsburg. Shoot, drive with either hand, finishes with contact and has great command of the floor. He’s a special talent and scoring point guard. This season will certainly be a big one for him.