SINGLE A POST SEASON PREVIEW

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's an early look at next week's post season starting with regional match ups and projected state tournament teams. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">REGION I</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clay Battelle is the clear one seed in this region but with Magnolia warming up and playing well in the second half of the season, it could be debated who is the top seed. The Cee-Bees have been led by college recruit [player_tooltip player_id='1463045' first='Preston' last='Luzader'] who's posted double doubles nearly every night out. The 6'7" center has absolutely dominated and it doesn't appear that anyone in region I has an answer quite yet. While Magnolia behind the steady scoring of Kingston Christian has slowly warmed up and gotten better as the season has wore on, especially with the emergence of [player_tooltip player_id='2776495' first='Dubale' last='Greathouse']. Magnolia's balance on the floor has been aided by solid play of their center as well in 6'5" [player_tooltip player_id='2796289' first='Eli' last='Midcap']. The darkhorse of this region could be Parkersburg Catholic with balanced scoring of Preston Randolph, [player_tooltip player_id='2470014' first='Leo' last='DeAngelo'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2470000' first='Carter' last='Nelson']. All averaging double figures and all excellent shooters that could shoot their way into any game, especially in the post season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">REGION II</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's no question Tucker County is the favorite in this region and perhaps the favorite to win it in March. Likely to be a favorite to make it to the finals anyway. Tucker of course led by [player_tooltip player_id='1412065' first='Trevan' last='Bonner'], who is a scoring machine in any fashion you wish, looks to avenge his loss last year and claim that title in Charleston. Bonner will be aided by [player_tooltip player_id='2306373' first='Mikey' last='Mitchell'], [player_tooltip player_id='2382654' first='Garrett' last='Wilfong'] and Alex Lambert in carrying the load through March. But first a little work to do in regionals versus the winner of Pendleton and Union who boast some excellent players themselves. Pendleton has great size underneath as well as a good scoring guard in [player_tooltip player_id='2241532' first='Josiah' last='Kimble']. Kimble has a similar game as Bonner with speed and shooting accuracy being strong suits. Union's stud workhorse [player_tooltip player_id='2332910' first='Braylon' last='Ward'] will pose a threat to Pendleton's move to the matchup with Tucker though. In the bottom of the bracket lies East Hardy at the two seed and returning a handful of players from last year's state tournament team including scoring guard [player_tooltip player_id='2382663' first='Jordan' last='Teets'] who had a great game last year in the Civic Center and he'll be helped by 6'6" center [player_tooltip player_id='2470012' first='Gideon' last='Good']. Look for Tucker and East Hardy to breeze through this region. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">REGION III</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Region 3 has possibly a title contender in Greater Beckley, but after that leaves alot of question marks. Montcalm has the second seed with Webster in the 3 seed slot, but Montcalm's most recent loss on 2/21 came at the hands of Webster. Webster not being a stranger to post season and Charleston has a clear advantage I'd believe going into regionals to grab that second qualifier spot. Greater Beckley has an incredible amount of talent to take to Charleston led by 6'7" beast in the paint, [player_tooltip player_id='2241522' first='Drew' last='Fitzwater']. Fitzwater has absolutely dominated nearly every game he's played but hasn't relied on just scoring. Fitzwater is an excellent help defender and passer as well. [player_tooltip player_id='2241525' first='Averyk' last='Woodson'] has recently returned back from injury and already shooting well, [player_tooltip player_id='2425396' first='Jovante' last='Spencer'] is a talented two way guard, [player_tooltip player_id='2554070' first='Keegan' last='Davidson'] is one of the best long ball shooters in single A. All these players give GBC a clear advantage as well as experience and poise. Look for GBC and Webster to advance. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">REGION IV</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now here's the region that gets wild! Obviously Tug Valley is the one seed, odds on favorite to advance and in most people's eyes, their championship to lose. Recent 1000 point scorer [player_tooltip player_id='1851879' first='Braydun' last='Ferris'] will lead the Panthers into March where they certainly are no strangers. He has an excellent cast of players around him including senior [player_tooltip player_id='2382659' first='Ashton' last='Davis'] who's an incredible role player who can literally do anything that is asked of him from shooting threes to playing in the post. [player_tooltip player_id='2822627' first='Bryson' last='Elia'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2382657' first='Kaden' last='Hale'] have played very well down the stretch with [player_tooltip player_id='2776262' first='Ethan' last='Ferrell'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2390881' first='Carson' last='Newsome'] adding support on both ends of the floor. While Tug should breeze through to qualifying status, an interesting matchup with winner of Sherman and Wirt awaits in the qualifier. Wirt's [player_tooltip player_id='2303410' first='Braylan' last='Dawson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2776492' first='Tyler' last='Smith'] have the talent and athleticism to match up with anyone in single A, but will it be enough? </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The lower half of the bracket is just plain wild with it being anyone's to advance out of. St Joe's Central has a very good and young starting five who matchup well with Tug and includes fab freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2531107' first='Noah' last='Keaton'] at point guard, Miciah Ehirim at guard, [player_tooltip player_id='2345856' first='Nymir' last='Bryant'] roaming the middle. Wahama has a nice line up as well with size, athleticism and talent that most recently took AA power Ritchie County to overtime. Wahama's Ian Echard is a realy matchup problem along with some 6'4" and 6'6" bigs and shooters at guard. They are truly the wildcard in this region because they likely have the toughest matchup problems. In the end, I do think talent and experience together win in these situations and we'll see a repeat of last year with Tug and St Joe's advancing. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->