High Impact State Tournament Underclassmen: Big School

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These underclassmen had a huge contribution to their teams during this years state tournament. Some are already household names around WV, but many will be new to subscribers. We got to watch and evaluate first hand during the week and this is what we saw. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2382631"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='2382631' first='Brady' last='Savage'] had 12 points and 3 rebounds in an opening round win vs Wheeling Park, 10 points and 15 rebounds in the semifinal in Morgantown's march to the championship where he had 8 points in one of the lowest scoring championship games in the last forty years.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["2208821"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='2208821' first='Caleb' last='Thomas'] had 10 points and 9 rebounds in an opening round win over Woodrow Wilson, 10 points and 15 rebounds in the semifinal as well as 14 points and 9 rebounds in the state championship.  Thomas is one of the fastest rising recruits in WV if the fastest.  Thomas had at least one D1 school in attendance to watch for state tournament week.  Thomas's scoring isn't always eye popping but the value he brings to his team is enormous even handling the ball on press breaks and transition.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["2310767"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='2310767' first='Akwasi' last='Opoku-Achampong'] is one of WV's top rising point guards at one of the state's best basketball program's.  Akwasi had 12 points in a win over very talented Woodrow Wilson team, followed by 14 against South Charleston vs some very tough defensive minded guards, as well as 9 points in the state championship.  A great first showing for the 2026 point guard.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["2390842"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='2390842' first='Tayveon' last='Wilson'] had 19 points on 8-10 shooting as well as 10 rebounds against eventual champion Morgantown.  Wilson was a definite bright spot for the Highlanders and as efficient as a player could be.  A strong rebounder and deadly put-back artist, Wilson will be a matchup problem for the next couple year.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["2208825"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='2208825' first='Zane' last='Saunders'] had 15 points, 6 rebounds and 5 blocks vs a first round win against a pesky Jefferson team.  Saunders is quickly rising to be one of WV's top forwards displaying his skill in the paint as well as away from the basket.  Saunders will likely see increased college interest during the summer given his performance in Charleston.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["2375557"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='2375557' first='Trea' last='Cumberledge'] poured in 13 points as well as grabbing 7 rebounds in an opening round win over Hampshire.  Cumberledge was a key piece of the Polar Bear's regular season success and is a quick rising name in recruiting circles.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["2377045"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='2377045' first='Jackson' last='Williams'] had 15 points vs a talented Nitro squad in a second round matchup including 4-7 from three, dazzling the crowd with his nonstop movement and shoot and catch with quick release style. Williams followed that up with an 11 point performance with a victory in the AAA championship game.  Williams was a prospect we were excited to see in person finally and evaluate, and he didn't disappoint.  Williams looks to be a high level D2 shooting guard at this time with a very high ceiling given his size and mobility.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["2375273"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='2375273' first='Jalon' last='Bailey'] had 11 points in a opening round win over North Marion.  Bailey continued his high level performance following up with 8 points in the semi-final over Nitro and dazzled with 14 points including the all important free throws where he shot 5-5. Bailey will be a rising prospect soon and will have a big AAU season coming up to gain exposure.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["2208836"],"_player_evaluations_8_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='2208836' first='Ashton' last='Crouch'] dropped 13 points and 9 rebounds in the first round win as well as 12 points in a second round loss to eventual champion Shady Spring.  Crouch was nothing short of impressive and seemed to always be in the right spot at the right time.  Crouch displays great court awareness and tracks rebounds as well as finds creases in the defense to give scoring opportunities.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["2367481"],"_player_evaluations_9_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='2367481' first='Luke' last='Michael'] had 10 points and 9 rebounds in a first round loss vs Nitro on Tuesday of the state tournament.  Michael is a promising looking prospect with good athletic ability, smooth shooting stroke and above average floor awareness.  Michael will be one of the state's top returning wing/forwards next season.","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_10_player":["1358513"],"_player_evaluations_10_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_10_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_10_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='2303407' first='Amare' last='Johnson'] had 16 points in a first round loss to eventual champs Morgantown.  Johnson definitely opened some eyes with his performance with people inquiring about his story.  His story includes a bright future if he so chooses in football and possibly D1 running back following in his father's footsteps.  But we won't rule out him playing next level basketball either.","_player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":11,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66048d2ceeaf8"} /-->