2026 Rankings Names You Need to Know!

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's some ranked and watchlist names you probably don't know about yet, but you will by season's end. These are players who have started this season out strong and become a force immediately on both ends of the floor. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1203909' first='Alex' last='Starcher'] has fully recovered from a devastating injury his sophomore year and made his presence felt on the AAU circuit last year showing his physical capabilities haven't been hampered. Starcher has had a strong start to this school season is at a 15.5 ppg average on a team full of scorers. Starcher's size and skill set him apart. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='2306139' first='Logan' last='Boyce'] has great vision and skill to get paint touches and operate any offense with high efficiency. Boyce is comfortable being scoring option one or being a primary distributor and facilitator. Great ball handler with good strength and above average explosion. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='2211908' first='Isaac' last='Hodges'] is quickly becoming a household name in the MOV but the rest of the state may not know quite yet. The smooth shooting 6'7" wing just gets it done nightly averaging a double double with 20+ ppg. His team could be a state tournament contender with his leadership and solid supporting cast. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='2243493' first='Braedy' last='Johnston'] is the guy we've been warning you about! We've been saying all along this would be his breakout year and we were correct. Johnston who plays on arguably one of the most talented teams in WV in any division, fills any and every role. He can score, rebound, play pg and distribute, shoot it and of course at Shady Spring you better be a defender. Johnston might not lead them in any stat category but he's easily their most versatile and valuable player. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='2303395' first='Payton' last='Bailes'] is one of the most consistent and productive scorers in WV and has proven himself time and time again. Midland Trail's aggressive schedule doesn't seem to slow him down either. Bailes has every tool needed and uses them to the fullest. More than solid outside shooter as well as efficient scoring at all other levels. And, Bailes is charged with a tough defensive assignment every night out. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1578753' first='Julz' last='Butler'] is in his third year of being a starter for a team that has had quite a run of success and many other programs pattern themselves after. Butler who already appears to be a next level point guard made his mark on the mountain state prep scene for his sharpshooting in the state tournament as a freshman. Since then Butler has had some great games and improved his game to now become the seasoned veteran and leader on the AAA runner up squad from last year. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='2243496' first='Zayden' last='Neely'] is an accomplished two sport stalwart at Princeton Senior. Neely has great strength and agility and uses that to translate to who hoops game in the winter. Neely is a strong inside force and scores easily when getting the ball in the paint. Princeton could be a force in March with a matchup problem like Neely to gameplan for during regionals. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='2375657' first='Tyler' last='Jones'] is on one of if not the best roster in WV that's got great players up and down it. Jones typically comes on the floor as a shooting guard but can play point as well. The most recognizable strength of Jones is his long range shooting which anyone who's watched Spring Mills has likely seen. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='2303401' first='Ashton' last='Arthur'] is one of the top players in the Coalfield regions as well as in the state. An accomplished scorer and shooter, Arthur has a plethora of guard skills to work from with or without the ball. Ashton routinely shows up in the box score with 20+ and shooting efficiently.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='2303394' first='Luke' last='Anderson'] is a rising forward in this class with a great range of skills. Anderson shoots it well from most anywhere on the floor as well as provide rebounding and interior presence . </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='2310473' first='Eli' last='Smith'] is big guard type player who plays primarily on the wing but can really play most any position if need be. Smith is simply a play maker getting to the bucket and finding creative ways to score without having to rely on a long ball. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='2303408' first='Kingston' last='Christen'] has been one of the mainstays for the Magnolia program for a few years now and this season will prove to be the alpha dog. Christen is a skilled point guard who distributes at a high level, but has an elite pull up game when defenses aren't on point. Single A all-state candidate. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='2306370' first='Matthew' last='Stellato'] is a true point guard who has a pass first mindset, but don't sleep on him scoring. Stellato shoots it well from deep but will always push tempo and the ball to scorers first. Should be a stock rising prospect in everyone's book. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='2390844' first='Isaiah' last='Lapsley'] is one of the many talented guards for the Huntington Highlanders this season. Lapsley is quick and crafty as well as a tough minded defender. Lapsley has the ability to score in the 20's or be a facilitator/distributor anytime he's on the floor. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='2437056' first='Tyce' last='Day'] plays the game with great intensity and has a dynamic approach to it. Day isn't always a scorer, but does do alot of things well without the ball. Day can play multiple positions with the strength to body up inside but the athleticism to create open shots on the perimeter. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='2337570' first='Kayden' last='Knapp'] is another great two-sport athlete who seems to always be around the ball during hoops season. A real knack for tracking rebounds and getting put backs on the board quickly is his real strength and tough for teams to combat. Knapp has played through some injury early this season but looks to make a full recovery and be putting up his usual double double type numbers soon. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='2347884' first='Zaden' last='Ranson'] is yet another accomplished two-sport star on this list. Ranson is already a D1 offered baseball prospect and as you'd expect with that high level athleticism and size he's quite a hooper as well. Ranson is a relentless rebounder and defender who is highly efficient and effective when getting the ball in the paint. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='2444056' first='Aiden' last='Scheidler'] has had a great start to the season putting good numbers in every stat category and affecting games without having to score. Scheidler who has great length (and a 4.4 GPA) should get some notice on the AAU circuits this spring and summer. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='2243523' first='Brayden' last='Helmick'] is a big bodied center that prides himself on filling not just scoring stats but rebounds and blocked shots as well. Helmick has an old school feel to his game being an actual post/pivot type player, but he's highly effective when the offense is running through him. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='2375690' first='Ivan' last='Miller'] is undoubtedly another two-sport star who not only excels in baseball but has had a huge role in the Logan squad's resurgence this season. Miller is a beast in the paint at an imposing 6'4" frame and has the athleticism and strength to handle bigger players inside. Miller is an incredible role player on the hardwood doing whatever his squad needs to succeed. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='2385111' first='Caden' last='Ours'] is part of a surging and talented Petersburg squad who look like state tournament qualifiers early. Ours has great guard skills and is known as an effective shooter. Ours can play either guard spot or wing and challenge himself with tough defensive assignments. A big spring and summer is in store for him with recruiting stock. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='2679289' first='Malcolm' last='Brown'] has become a South Charleston name to be reckoned with. The strong and stout guard who seems like he could guard anyone, has the athleticism to play either guard spot and excel in transition. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='2686841' first='Austin' last='Porta'] is killing it this year and becoming a real problem for opposing defenses to slow down. Porta who's averaging 17ppg and 40% from three has likely become the focal point for every opposing coach's gameplan. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='2470014' first='Leo' last='DeAngelo'] has become one of the fastest rising point guards in the 2026 class while playing for the upstart Parkersburg Catholic squad who have improved immensely. DeAngelo has a great touch from deep as well as a great feel for the game at pg and gets good paint touches as well as distributes efficiently. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='2704995' first='Nathan' last='Dixon'] has come outta the gate with a bang this year. The lengthy wing and effective long range bomber has helped drive the recent success of the Greenbrier East squad who struggled early. Dixon has helped create another tough defensive assignment for opponents and stretch defenses past the three point line. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Others to know:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2633937' first='Brycen' last='Slack'], [player_tooltip player_id='2612985' first='Landyn' last='Keefer'], [player_tooltip player_id='2337624' first='Brody' last='Giovinazzo'], [player_tooltip player_id='2377474' first='Stephen' last='Boggs'], [player_tooltip player_id='2306519' first='Zayden' last='Sherod'], [player_tooltip player_id='2452753' first='Malekhi' last='Grantham-Price'], [player_tooltip player_id='2303404' first='Nathan' last='Jones'], [player_tooltip player_id='2484384' first='Braylon' last='Berry'], [player_tooltip player_id='2345905' first='Harrison' last='Riggs'], [player_tooltip player_id='2684014' first='Brent' last='Conley Jr'], [player_tooltip player_id='2711610' first='Jacob' last='Mick'], [player_tooltip player_id='2324786' first='Colt' last='Sandy'], [player_tooltip player_id='2390883' first='Jerod' last='Trent'], [player_tooltip player_id='2390886' first='Isaiah' last='Sanders'], [player_tooltip player_id='2413840' first='Glenn' last='Brown'], [player_tooltip player_id='2303397' first='Jayden' last='Castillo'], [player_tooltip player_id='2395960' first='Lucas' last='Raney'], [player_tooltip player_id='2377000' first='Ty' last='Stephens'], [player_tooltip player_id='2303389' first='Jeremy' last='Phillips'], [player_tooltip player_id='2243481' first='De'Shad' last='Williams'], [player_tooltip player_id='2303392' first='Jase' last='Smith'], [player_tooltip player_id='2313271' first='Evan' last='Hughes'], [player_tooltip player_id='2377003' first='Darrell' last='Claybrook'], [player_tooltip player_id='1851879' first='Braydun' last='Ferris'], [player_tooltip player_id='2164534' first='Waylon' last='Colistra'], [player_tooltip player_id='2211912' first='JoJo' last='Greene'], [player_tooltip player_id='1851975' first='Max' last='Olejasz'], [player_tooltip player_id='2303399' first='Anden' last='Santamaria']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->