Ranked 2025 Players by Region Part 1: Southern/Coalfield
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We’ve ranked the top 50, now let’s examine how it breaks down regionally and what part of West Virginia they are from. Long debated amongst high school sports fanatics is where do the greatest players hail from. Well, we’ve broke…
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Continue ReadingWe’ve ranked the top 50, now let’s examine how it breaks down regionally and what part of West Virginia they are from. Long debated amongst high school sports fanatics is where do the greatest players hail from. Well, we’ve broke it down into regions as follows: Southern/Coalfield, Huntington/Teays Valley, Charleston Metro, Ohio Valley, North Central/I-79 Corridor, Eastern Panhandle.
Woodrow Wilson has produced its fair share of Division I players over the years and Hawthorne is yet another. However, Hawthorne has made the move to in state basketball academy Huntington Prep to finish his high school and has left Woodrow for what would seemingly be for the remainder of his high school career. Hawthorne’s physical growth spurt into a 6’8″ frame has at times hampered him physically but the skill level and length are going to match up eventually and obviously Division I college coaches know and anticipate that. Offered from Radford and Wichita St., Braydon will now embark on a barnstorming basketball tour with HP and be in front of dozens of D1 coaches including many powers 5’s. This kid is far from reaching his ceiling physically or in terms of skill and we are going to enjoy every step of the way while tracking his progress.
Gollihue could easily make an argument for being the best “small school” player in WV in any region. He is a perfect combination of size and skill with a side of explosiveness. A great slasher, dasher with a great pull up jumper, Joey will continue that style of play at neighboring AA power Chapmanville for the upcoming season. The many eyes coming in to see C’ville’s Zion Blevins Zion Blevins 6’7″ | PF Chapmanville | 2024 State WV will quickly notice Gollihue with his 6’3″ frame who moves like a small guard. Expect an MEC school to snatch up Gollihue by next year and keep him in state for his college career.
Watts is truly a hidden gem of WV. Tucked away down in Tolsia in Wayne County WV, Watts has torched nets and tortured opponents with shooting, steals, dunks, finishes at the rim, you name it. An equally effective WR in football, Watts could possibly be in line for a small college offer to play football to go along with his standing basketball offer from NAIA Kentucky Christian University. Nonetheless we are eager to track his progress in both sports and with two school seasons ahead, he’ll be part of some big individual moments.
Highlights
Meddings who at a young age helped the turnaround of Wayne basketball along with his head coach father. A slick and smooth 6’0″ combo guard, Isaac is a serious shooter with a knack for finding open spaces to fire from. A great basketball IQ as you’d expect from a coach’s son, Meddings is the ringleader of a young and up and coming group at Wayne. I’d look for Meddings to really get some recruiting talk generating going into next spring.
Highlights
Pressure makes for tough situations, but it also creates diamonds. That’s what we think will happen with Drew Fitzwater Drew Fitzwater 6’6″ | PF Woodrow Wilson | 2025 State WV and Woodrow Wilson’s campaign to get back to the top of WV’s top division. Fitzwater will be counted on to be extremely efficient and effective inside and pick up the slack from graduation and departure. Drew has shown great ability to fill the role and shown through the offseason he can do so. One of many super talented players on Beckley’s roster, Fitzwater will certainly command looks from coaches attending games with his 6’6″ frame and diverse skill set.
Woodson is maybe one of the lesser-known players in this class despite being ranked in the top 50. But his potential at point guard looks to be off the charts. With some work to do in the weight room Woodson could boost his skills and athleticism to a level worthy of recruiting and we would anticipate it. With two full school seasons ahead, Averyk will have every opportunity to put his name to the forefront of WV’s top players.
Hatfield a recent transfer to Logan, will bring a big boost for the Wildcats in this upcoming season. Offensively Hatfield looks to be ahead of schedule for a 2025 and if his defensive level matches by his senior year he’ll likely be a small college recruiting commodity. Matt will have ample opportunity to take big steps in development and recruiting in the next 12 months and we hope to follow it all.
Jaylon, another long athletic guard will step into a major contributor role for Woodrow Wilson this season and could steal the show at any minute. Explosive and fast, Walton could be a matchup problem even at the 4A level due to his speed and size. Walton projects to be a recruitable player soon, his skill and defensive development will determine the level.
Blankenship is certainly an interesting prospect with his size and skill. Westside’s top player and returning junior, Blankenship could go on an absolute scoring tear and being amongst WV leaders in scoring categories. I think we’ll continue to see a variety of skills developing in the next two years that coupled with his size will lead him to many opportunities at the next level.