Ranked 2025 Players by Region Part 6: Eastern Panhandle
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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.
What can be said for Thomas that hasn’t been said already? Well for one, I think his potential versatility is highly underrated and that should certainly be said. Depending on who you talk to he could play any position 2-5, and I for one have seen enough to likely believe that. Watching streams of his games last year as a sophomore and seeing his comfort level with facing the basket on the wing showed a lot of confidence in his skill level as a ball handler and slasher. But in the spring when he took on a new role of playing primarily in the post, I simply cannot say enough good things about how easily he transitioned. He was super efficient with the ball on offense and a top tier defender in the post, in my opinion well ahead of the curve for a player at that age.
Jamari Jenkins Jamari Jenkins 5’9″ | PG Jefferson | 2025 State #165 Nation WV is a “must see” for basketball fans. One of the most exciting players in WV and one of the best. Already holding a D1 offer (Stony Brook), Jenkins has won every award and accolade possible in WV with the exception of PoY. Currently enrolled at Goretti HS (out of state) we expect Jenkins could be back in WV for his senior season due to a rumored school closure at Goretti. Nonetheless we’ll continue to cover the WV based/native.
Xavier Kirk Xavier Kirk 6’2″ | CG Hedgesville | 2025 State WV is yet another eastern panhandle athlete that is constantly putting attention on that region. Kirk is a shifty, bouncy, quick, athletic kid that has a great basketball skill foundation to build on. Higher level D2’s have already begun to show interest and will begin to track Kirk closely once school season completes. Kirk’s potential to be an elite defender not just in high school, but at the next level as well is very attractive and not to mention that same athleticism that allows him to score in several ways.
Highlights
Owunna isn’t a household name in WV yet, but soon could be. A junior year that could propel him into many a recruiting conversation, Anthony is poised to be a stud two way guard. Great length, great athleticism and anticipation on defense will get him noticed quickly. He definitely stands out on tape and seems to always be the starter or finisher on transition plays.
Highlights
Cheek is back after sitting a partial year due to transfer from Spring Mills. He brings quite a bit of athleticism and absolute split second quickness much needed at WV’s 4A level to compete at a high level. We’d expect to see Keshaun compete at a high level as he did at his former high school. Anticipate seeing him lead Martinsburg in scoring many times this year as well as run the point guard position with ease. With projected development and two school seasons ahead of him, you could probably bet that Cheek gets a shot at the next level if he chooses to do so.
Shipley’s range starts when he walks in the gym doors. A deadly and cold-blooded shooter, Chayse will stop and pop anywhere with great accuracy. A true combo guard, Shipley adds great value on the floor with speed and athleticism necessary to compete at a high level at WV’s top division. Shipley will arguably be part of one of WV’s best backcourts, so don’t expect huge numbers every night, but he will surely help stretch every defense and create weak spots for others. We’d anticipate Shipley to be on several college radars by summers in 2024.
Max is a true floor and field general in every sense. He controls pace, scores when opportunity comes and knows how to set up teammates for success on the floor. The much-accomplished dual threat QB and dual-sport athlete could have a decision to make at the end of high school as to which sport will be in his future. Max has a supporting cast around him with plentiful size and athleticism that can finish plays, so don’t be alarmed if he isn’t putting big numbers in the box score, but rather understand he’s still responsible for many of the team’s points.
Coming from the role player directly into impact player, Jay seems equipped for the job. Quick, athletic, skilled player coming into a veteran laden team with lots of March experience. Westley will have many opportunities to assert himself as one of the top players in the eastern panhandle, especially defensively. Great anticipation for this well coached Jefferson squad of Jay’s for the upcoming season and many will be tracking his progress, especially us.
Bush comes into this season with expectations of being a big scoring threat helping to stretch defenses and open up interior play for all-everything Caleb Thomas Caleb Thomas 6’6″ | PF Spring Mills | 2025 State WV . But as the game often goes, sometimes the exact opposite happens, and the outside threat gets more opportunities to make defenses pay from deep and surely that’s what Bush has in mind. The long shooting guard and wing player definitely possesses offensive acuity, but if the defensive side of his game is to match, then it will carry him towards a college career. This is a much-anticipated season for WV prep hoop fans waiting to see how things unfold with Spring Mills and Bush will be a big contributor.