Who To Watch in Spring AAU Season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>AAU season is now in full swing with all the major WV based programs beginning play and the major circuits being started. These are the beginning of a series of names to watch throughout the AAU seasons that we think will turn some heads early and maybe get the recruiting wheels turning for the home state kids. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1412065' first='Trevan' last='Bonner'] made his debut in the AAU season popping off for 9, 11 &amp; 18 points in action at the Big Shots Rocky Top Tip Off for WV Reign SLAM 2025 team. Bonner is coming off a stellar junior school season leading his Tucker County team all the way to the state finals and also a two time all state selection.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='2337625' first='Brady' last='Strode'] has averaged 22 points a game in two early tournaments playing with Tyler County based MOV Heat in tournaments at the Highlands in Triadelphia and the Bridge where he led the Heat to runner up finishes in the 17U division at both events. Strode (2025) will be a returning senior for Tyler Consolidated and was their leading scorer and rebounder the last two years. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='2390879' first='Landon' last='Thomas'] has got off to a huge start posting point totals of 15, 20, 12 and 14 at the Bracket Sportz event at the Bridge last weekend for the NC Elite squad. Thomas (2026) helped lead the Doddridge Bulldogs to a state tournament appearance this past season and returns as one of the Bulldogs top players.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Phoenix Sickles (2025) of the Best Virginia AAU group posted scoring totals of 11, 11, 13 and 14 at the Big Shots Rocky Top Tip Off. Sickles is a junior and will return as one of Bridgeport's top players next year.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='2304715' first='MJ' last='Patton'] was named to the 17U All Stars leading the Big Shots Richmond Showtime tournament 17u division in scoring at 24.3/per. Patton (2025) leading the WV Aftershock to a Silver Bracket championship in the event will be a returning senior next year for the Mercer Christian Academy squad.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='2364913' first='Britt' last='Beasley'] of Princeton Senior High also had a nice showing in Richmond averaging over 14 points per game over three games for the WV Aftershock squad. Beasley (2025) will be one of Princeton's top returning players next season.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='2337762' first='Gavin' last='Williams'] of Bridgeport High School led the 15U WV Reign Elite squad with games of 15, 19 and 20 at the Big Shots Rocky Top Tip Off. Williams is already one of Bridgeport's top players and one of the state's top 2027's. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='2208856' first='Ben' last='Putnam'] of Lewis County High led the LC G-League squad to a championship win in the Bracket Sportz event last weekend at the Bridge. Putnam (2025) was smooth shooting from anywhere and ended up with 27 points to seal the championship belt. The 6'6" forward will be Lewis County's top player returning.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->