AA POSTSEASON PREVIEW

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Double A is the class many people are most excited about. With four teams that seem to be head and shoulders above everyone, the crowds in the civic center could be in for a treat on semifinals day. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">REGION I</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Region I is where most people think the champion lives. With Williamstown and Wheeling Central both in this region its no wonder why that is a popular opinion. Central led by division one recruit [player_tooltip player_id='2211906' first='Eli' last='Sancomb'] has separated themselves maybe just by a bit from the rest of the field with Williamstown nipping at their heels. Central's [player_tooltip player_id='1851975' first='Max' last='Olejasz'] is no slouch either, the 6'5" forward is versatile and dynamic in his skill set and does alot of the dirty work for the Maroon Knights. The Knights feel like they let last years chances of a title slip by them but seemed destined to be in the AA final. Williamstown will have something to say about Central being a favorite as their trio of ultra-talented seniors led by [player_tooltip player_id='1867669' first='Cruz' last='Isaly'] who's coming off an incredible performance in the LKC Championship. Isaly has a long list of college suitors looking to add his services at point guard. [player_tooltip player_id='1578760' first='Parker' last='Schramm'] could lay claim to the state's best long ball shooter as he claimed the LKC title last weekend, but Schramm is more than a shooter. He's a dynamic finisher in transition and could easily slide into point guard when necessary. They are both joined by senior [player_tooltip player_id='1578750' first='Jayden' last='Bryant'] who at 6'4" is a match up problem on the wing for most AA teams with his shooting skill but also willingness to make tough plays in the paint. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ravenswood's [player_tooltip player_id='2382652' first='Noah' last='Dawson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2382651' first='Evan' last='Swain'] have put together a great season and pose as the likely darkhorse of this region especially with legendary coach Mick Price at the helm. This region's other notables after that would be Tyler Consolidated led by [player_tooltip player_id='2337625' first='Brady' last='Strode'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2337624' first='Brody' last='Giovinazzo']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">REGION II</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Region II includes single A state tournament qualifier Doddridge County who made the transition nicely to double A behind the likes of [player_tooltip player_id='2296622' first='Landon' last='Thomas'], [player_tooltip player_id='2390883' first='Jerod' last='Trent'] and Jaden Solomon. The Bulldogs have ended up with the top seed and best record in the region despite coming off an LKC championship loss to Williamstown. This region seems to be a three team race including Ritchie County led by [player_tooltip player_id='2211908' first='Isaac' last='Hodges'] and Braxton County with strong seasons from [player_tooltip player_id='2769604' first='Brady' last='Toler'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2377474' first='Stephen' last='Boggs']. I believe the darkhorse is in the opening round 4/5 game with Petersburg and Liberty Harrison. Petersburg's [player_tooltip player_id='2385111' first='Caden' last='Ours'] can get hot any night and fill it up as well as [player_tooltip player_id='1578731' first='Baustin' last='Bowers'] from Liberty who's recorded multiple 30+ scoring games. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">REGION III</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another region with a three team race from what it appears at this time. Westside has earned the top seed with their very strong play at the end of the season behind [player_tooltip player_id='2691004' first='Kaiden' last='Vance'], [player_tooltip player_id='2322645' first='Austin' last='Bishop'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1578733' first='Bryson' last='Blankenship'] knocking off some great opponents including most recently Shady Spring and Chapmanville who are both AAA powers. Wyoming East has the manpower to not only win a qualifier from this region but possibly get to Saturday of the state tournament. A couple freshman in [player_tooltip player_id='2444028' first='Broc' last='Johnson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2444025' first='Talen' last='Muscari'] have been steady all year as well as sophomore post [player_tooltip player_id='2690991' first='Konnor' last='Fox']. The third seed belongs to James Monroe who is an outside threat but talented enough to beat anyone. Its a youngish lineup with [player_tooltip player_id='2691014' first='Ryan' last='Mann'], [player_tooltip player_id='2691008' first='Kadyn' last='Hines'] and Layton Dowdy, but talented nonetheless. I believe the darkhorse here who's the favorite most years is Bluefield. A tough transition this year losing five starting seniors from last year's state tournament team, but they aren't without the Bluefield talent either. [player_tooltip player_id='2303392' first='Jase' last='Smith'] is the X factor when we're taking about Bluefield. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">REGION IV</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This region has recently been owned by Charleston Catholic but Logan has came into this season very strong. Catholic has had some rough patches but overall could be seen as a darkhorse while Buffalo and Scott are the 3 and 2 seeds respectively. Logan has one of the most impressive starting five's on paper with seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2382640' first='McCormick' last='Ilderton'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2208853' first='Matt' last='Hatfield'] at guards, 6'3" freshman wing sharpshooter [player_tooltip player_id='2694392' first='Lucas' last='Lambert'] at forward, 6'4" [player_tooltip player_id='2375690' first='Ivan' last='Miller'] roaming the middle and 6'3" athlete [player_tooltip player_id='2306519' first='Zayden' last='Sherod'] playing wing/forward and often tasked with the toughest defensive matchups. Logan should advance out of this region easily with most likely Scott taking that second spot. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->