AAA: Region II Preview

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">TEAMS</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hampshire, Keyser, Elkins, Robert C. Byrd, Bridgeport, Lewis County</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Preseason Player of the Year</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2337762' first='Gavin' last='Williams']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Top College Prospects</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2337762' first='Gavin' last='Williams'], [player_tooltip player_id='2337756' first='Anderson' last='McDougal'], [player_tooltip player_id='3166293' first='Braylon' last='McGreevy'], [player_tooltip player_id='2465874' first='Emanuell' last='Holmes'], [player_tooltip player_id='2867472' first='Josiah' last='Heiney'] [player_tooltip player_id='2306139' first='Logan' last='Boyce'] [player_tooltip player_id='2465872' first='Camryn' last='Newsuan']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">State Tournament Qualifier Prediction</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bridgeport</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Until someone proves otherwise, the Indians are still on top. Defending state champs with a long list of high level guards including division I football recruit [player_tooltip player_id='2337762' first='Gavin' last='Williams'] as well as scoring machine [player_tooltip player_id='2337756' first='Anderson' last='McDougal'], both 2027's. Maybe lacking the bulk and length inside as they had last year, the Indians can get up and down with anyone and guard at a high level away from the basket. The Indians only have one prospective senior coming back in Sam Romano, who should provide guard support if not start, but the bulk of the roster likely includes a long list of juniors, such as [player_tooltip player_id='2434233' first='Aryon' last='Dodd'] who averaged just over 3 points per game last year while gaining valuable varsity experience.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Robert C. Byrd</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Byrd is likely the most athletic group in this region with a nice group of athletic guards and wings who can get up and down the floor as well as create on the fly. [player_tooltip player_id='2465874' first='Emanuell' last='Holmes'] comes back after a sensational junior year and with him is senior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2306139' first='Logan' last='Boyce'] who can play either guard spot as well as score at all levels. Boyce has heated his recruiting and looking to carry that momentum into this season. [player_tooltip player_id='1578764' first='Rylee' last='Dickerson'] is another dynamic guard you should account for if game-planning for the RCB squad. He's a long athletic wing who poses matchup problems. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Darkhorse</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lewis County</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Minutemen are coming of age and moving forward with a roster that looks to be ready to push the pace and score in bunches. It'll be interesting to see how they mature and improve throughout the year and are able to challenge the likes of Bridgeport and RCB. However, we think they have a legit shot at this point of being a top two seed or simply pulling the upset in March to advance to the Civic Center floor. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Regional Roundup</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2337762' first='Gavin' last='Williams'] is not only the prospected top player in this region but also a D1 football recruit as a kicker. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2337756' first='Anderson' last='McDougal'] is the lone double figure scorer from last year's championship team who had great balanced scoring nearly every game including the state tournament. McDougal averaged 10ppg going into Charleston last year but I'm guessing that'll push closer to the 20ppg mark this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='3166293' first='Braylon' last='McGreevy'] is the leading returning scorer in this region. McGreevy averaged 12ppg and over 7reb.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>RCB returns its entire roster from being a state tournament qualifier last year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Ranking the Region</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Bridgeport</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2. Robert C. Byrd</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3. Lewis County</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>4. Keyser</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5. Elkins</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6. Hampshire</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->