Week 2 Top Performers: Late additions
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Thanks to a surge of players, coaches, parents and media providing stats and box scores we are able to add some outstanding performances in week two and highlight several players in all classes across WV. Payton Bailes Payton Bailes 5'10"…
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Continue ReadingThanks to a surge of players, coaches, parents and media providing stats and box scores we are able to add some outstanding performances in week two and highlight several players in all classes across WV.
Payton Bailes Payton Bailes 5'10" | SG Midland Trail | 2026 State WV
Payton Bailes Payton Bailes 5'10" | SG Midland Trail | 2026 State WV
Payton Bailes Payton Bailes 5’10” | SG Midland Trail | 2026 State WV is one of WV’s rising sophomores and one of the best players in single A. Bailes exploded for 24 points, 4 steals, 2 rebounds and 2 assists vs Pocahontas County last week. The 2026 point guard has a true long range touch and will give lots of headaches to future competition creating real matchup problems. Bailes looks to be a score first guard by the box score but film will indicate much of Trail’s offense is designed around him getting shots from three.
Jase Smith Jase Smith 6’3″ | SF Bluefield | 2026 State WV is one of the top 2026’s in WV no question. His development over the summer and into school season has pushed him into the top 2026 player conversation. Speed, length, smooth looking jumper and all around athleticism for Smith gives him a great foundation to be one of WV’s top overall players in the future. One of many in a long line of outstanding Bluefield basketball players, we think Smith will make himself a household name sooner than later. Smith went off on a dazzling 19 point, 2 rebound, 3 assist, 4 steal performance against a very good Wyoming East squad last week putting him on several proverbial radar screens.
Caleb Thomas Caleb Thomas 6’6″ | PF Spring Mills | 2025 State WV (previously mentioned in week 2 article) once again refuses to let up and not stuff the stat sheets. Thomas goes off and posts a 20 point, 10 rebound, 4 assist, 4 block, 1 steal performance vs one of WV’s top programs in Parkersburg South. Thus far it seems there’s no answer to Thomas’s dominance with his skill set being so varied. We’ll reiterate, he’s a division I talent and size, question is, will those schools shy away from WV natives that seem to thrive in D1 basketball no matter the level.
Cameron Bailey
Cameron Bailey
Cameron Bailey led Tygarts Valley with 15 points in a loss to a talented East Hardy squad. Bailey has yet to receive much press but we hope that changes this season. Team mate Ethan McGee Ethan McGee 6’4″ | SF Tygarts Valley | 2024 State WV who we’ve evaluated previously added 10 points in the contest.
Samuel Phillips
Samuel Phillips
Samuel Phillips has burst onto the 4A scene with Cabell Midland as an emerging 2026 guard. Phillips posted a 15 point 4 rebound performance vs St Joe last week opening many eyes across WV.
Mason Dunham
Mason Dunham
Mason Dunham is getting his first highlight here due to a big week with his Grafton Bearcats. Mason posted two great performances vs more than formidable opponents including 16 points in a win vs Phelps Ky. and 17 in a loss to Logan (WV). Dunham is a guard with great size and long range jumper with a high GPA and could catch the eye of a college scout with those metrics soon.
Shalik Hampton
Shalik Hampton
Shalik Hampton said “hello” to WV high school basketball fans last week absolutely dominating with 18 points, AN EYE POPPING 19 rebounds, yes rebounds. Also adding 4 blocks, 3 assists and 3 steals. Shalik had himself a day. For those of you not familiar, Hampton is WV’s top rated Tight End and budding Division I football recruit (check Prep Redzone WV). Absolutely one of WV’s top multi sport athletes that most college coaches admire. Can’t wait to see what he does for the remainder of the season.
Brayden Helmick Brayden Helmick 6’6″ | C Notre Dame | 2026 State WV had quite a week last week vs two solid opponents. First scoring just 5 points but recording 15 rebounds, 7 assists, 4 blocks and 4 steals in a win vs. Braxton County and an impressive 16 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocks in a loss to Lincoln. Helmick is a monster in the middle for single A opponents and gives lots of trouble to teams in higher classes as well. Will be a great season to track his production.
DJ Boardley
DJ Boardley
DJ Boardley is a junior guard at a school that in recent years hasn’t gotten much press, but we’re here to change that. Boardley posted a 23ppg on 56% shooting as well as averaged 3 rebounds and 3 steals. Boardley’s coaches quickly reached out per our request and provided updated stats and this will put Boardley on our 2025 watchlist immediately based on stats and level of competition.
Landon Sanders Landon Sanders 6’1″ | PG Bridgeport | 2025 State WV is becoming synonymous with Bridgeport basketball. Sanders has logged alot of minutes from the beginning of last year and is a versatile floor leader this year. Sanders pumped in 17 points, 4 rebounds and 1 assist to lead Bridgeport over rival RCB last week. A big win to set the tone going into 2024.
Peyton Brown Peyton Brown 6’1″ | CG St Albans | 2024 State WV , recent signee to Greensboro College, had 24 points in a come from behind win vs Greenbrier East scoring 13 of those in the fourth stanza and 9 of those in the last 90 seconds. Easy to see the attraction to the 6’0″ ultra athletic guard. Brown is still a bit raw in terms of basketball but his ceiling is incredibly high and has the physical gifts to compete at multiple levels of college basketball. Browns efforts capped a week that saw St Albans post wins against powerhouse George Washington, Winfield and GE.
Cole Joy Cole Joy 6’1″ | CG Parkersburg South | 2024 State WV posted a solid game vs emerging powerhouse Spring Mills with 17 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists in a losing effort. Joy has been getting attention from multiple D3 schools.
Jackson Smith Jackson Smith 6’3″ | SG Parkersburg South | 2024 State WV poured in 21 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists and a steal vs up and coming Musselman in an OT loss. Smith is a workhorse swingman and excellent shooter. We think he could fit into some systems at the next level and would expect some attention to come his way late this season.
Eli Campbell Eli Campbell 6’0″ | CG Midland Trail | 2024 State WV clocked 18 points 5 steals and 4 rebounds vs Pocahontas County and is averaging 14 points per contest so far this season.
Highlights
Bryar Bailes Bryar Bailes 5’11” | PG Midland Trail | 2024 State WV posted 14 points 5 steals and 3 rebounds as well as 2 assists in a win at Pocahontas County. He’s averaging a strong 19 per contest as well as 6 rebounds and 4 steals.