Top Ten Team Power Rankings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Its opening day in West Virginia High School basketball and to folks like ourselves its like Christmas. We've waited through a long offseason and fed our hoops appetite with summer leagues and AAU seasons, got through the tough fall season with fall league games and struggled through this last couple weeks of nothingness in high school basketball but have made it through to greet yet another season. This season will see the senior class, which is arguably the deepest recruiting class in WV history, boasting two D1 signees. This season will also bring back some bitter rivals, some old school rivals and some new rivalries as every season seems to do. The teams below are who we think, before any games or practices are held, will be the ten best teams, regardless of class, in West Virginia.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>1. Spring Mills- Defending state runner up isn't what any coach really wants to hear, albeit an incredible run by the Cards as well as unchartered territory. Spring Mills is certainly built for another deep run behind what is likely the most talented starting five in WV or at least what appears to be in the preseason. Returning are all five starters including [player_tooltip player_id='2310767' first='Akwasi' last='Opoku-Achampong'], [player_tooltip player_id='2324788' first='Loakkhae' last='Uth-Smith'], all-stater Caleb Thomas, [player_tooltip player_id='2208850' first='Max' last='Anderson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2324791' first='Xavier' last='Anderson']. To say this group is talented just doesn't cut it. Thomas is already multi-offered with scholarships as well as interest from D1's, the Anderson brothers could both end up on D1 football rosters which tells you what their level of athletic ability is and Uth-Smith as well as Opoku-Achampong are one of, if not the best, guard tandems in the mountain state. The Cards have very solid depth with junior [player_tooltip player_id='2375657' first='Tyler' last='Jones'], [player_tooltip player_id='2465890' first='Hope' last='Bokwe'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2241531' first='Logan' last='Bush'] all returning from their role player stints last year and looking to play a bigger part. <br><br></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>2. Morgantown- are the defending state champions and aren't ready to let that next trophy end up anywhere else. Morgantown lost its best player and likely their best player in history to D1 Akron in Sharron Young. However, some transfers and a super deep returning cast of talented complimentary players will help fill that scoring and leadership void including [player_tooltip player_id='2375610' first='Amarion' last='Johnson'], [player_tooltip player_id='2164534' first='Waylon' last='Colistra'], [player_tooltip player_id='2382631' first='Brady' last='Savage'], [player_tooltip player_id='2638524' first='Jayden' last='Smalls'] and incoming transfer [player_tooltip player_id='2241493' first='Demarcus' last='Bandy']. Others that will be in the rotation and add some serious depth for Morgantown are [player_tooltip player_id='2337710' first='Max' last='Frey'], [player_tooltip player_id='2638911' first='Akir' last='Johnson'], [player_tooltip player_id='2554051' first='Camden' last='Kellogg'], [player_tooltip player_id='2605831' first='Alex' last='Himes'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2243498' first='Marcus' last='Goins']. [player_tooltip player_id='2434224' first='Collin' last='Ridgeway'] is the youngster of the group who could add even more depth at the guard spots. This isn't coach Tallman's most talented or biggest group, but its likely the deepest he's been with varsity level players that could compete for a title. <br><br></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>3. Shady Spring- come into this season as defending AAA champions after an incredible run through the state tournament that was topped off by upsetting Fairmont Senior in the state championship. A team chocked full of guards, Shady will be dangerous shooting the ball as soon as they cross half court and will be one of WV's leaders in three point shooting in my opinion. Returners include [player_tooltip player_id='2377045' first='Jackson' last='Williams'], [player_tooltip player_id='2243493' first='Braedy' last='Johnston'], Makhi Olson, [player_tooltip player_id='2375273' first='Jalon' last='Bailey'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2211914' first='Brody' last='Radford'] who all started or had considerable minutes. Add in a couple impact freshman with [player_tooltip player_id='2425395' first='Gabe' last='Short'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2425394' first='Eli' last='Sexton'] and you'll have a great ideal of what is to come. High volume buckets, fast paced and stretching defenses with the three will be the likely formula for the Tigers. Other possible impact players could be Robert Lynch and Eli Jordan who have great length at the wing positions. <br><br></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>4. South Charleston - seems to be the Kanahwa Valley juggernaut this season with almost an entire roster returning, minus [player_tooltip player_id='2243492' first='Dazon' last='Reid'] leaving for Huntington Prep. This squad is long, athletic and can play at a break neck speed with its guards getting the ball in transition. [player_tooltip player_id='1851905' first='Roman' last='Kellum'] returns as the best two-way player for the Black Eagles and D2 offered prospect. Kellum is a high flying wing who guards anyone and has made huge strides with his perimeter shooting. Another big wing is [player_tooltip player_id='2208825' first='Zane' last='Saunders'] who is more of the squad's inside/outside threat and is skilled in every way who also has college offers going into his senior season. SC's top rotation personnel will also include [player_tooltip player_id='2375169' first='Elijah' last='Martin'] who had an outstanding state tournament appearance showing his diversity and dynamics during the tournament on both ends. [player_tooltip player_id='2243481' first='De'Shad' last='Williams'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2306368' first='Tavarish' last='Porter-Martin'] will round out the top five coming back, but others could emerge quickly this week once in the gym. [player_tooltip player_id='2508622' first='Isaiah' last='Scott'] will be one of those players they'll count on to step up and add depth at a couple positions. The 6'4" wing has guard handles and is very efficient from deep. Depth could be an issue for South Charleston but you definitely can't question the talent level in their top returning players. <br></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>5. Nitro- This state tournament qualifier returns their entire roster who made a great showing during last March's state tournament. There's some players on this squad we really like and think the Nitro program will take a big step forward this year. Returning are starters [player_tooltip player_id='2377000' first='Ty' last='Stephens'], [player_tooltip player_id='2208854' first='Landon' last='Poniatowski'], [player_tooltip player_id='2377012' first='Derek' last='Lowe'], [player_tooltip player_id='2375052' first='Timmy' last='Lovejoy'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2208836' first='Ashton' last='Crouch']. This teams has great athleticism, length and depth when you look at their roster with [player_tooltip player_id='2638947' first='Eli' last='Littlejohn'], [player_tooltip player_id='2638948' first='Maddox' last='Cole'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2638949' first='Caden' last='Brooks'] returning as seniors and helping add that depth. Other impact player could be 6'6" [player_tooltip player_id='2625294' first='Austin' last='Lovejoy'], sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='2377052' first='Caylem' last='Thomas'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2496407' first='Collin' last='Crouch'].<br><br><br></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>6. Bridgeport - The Indians squad is built for a very deep run with being one of the best shooting teams I've seen in recent years coupled with outstanding guard play. This squad has been bolstered by the addition of 6'6" [player_tooltip player_id='2366404' first='Carter' last='Zuliani'] who compliments this squad very well. Wing [player_tooltip player_id='2410034' first='Phoenix' last='Sickles'] is a huge match up problem as he is a true inside/outside threat and could even possibly be the best shooter from three on this team. [player_tooltip player_id='1573156' first='Landon' last='Sanders'] has been one of the most steady and reliable weapons for the Indians the last two years and shows no signs of retreating from that role in his senior year. Throw in the dynamic brothers guard combo of [player_tooltip player_id='2337756' first='Anderson' last='McDougal'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2638868' first='Jax' last='McDougal'] as well as veteran guard [player_tooltip player_id='2208847' first='Jack' last='Spatafore'] then you have a solid group that does a great job at any tempo and has the personnel to match bigger teams. In my opinion should be one of the favorites to win it in March. <br></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>7. Cabell Midland - The Knights return almost everyone from a very young rostered program last year. Leading returner [player_tooltip player_id='2208851' first='Ethan' last='Blackburn'] comes back and will be a problem for defenders as well as [player_tooltip player_id='2241529' first='Coleson' last='Christus'] who will be in the starting rotation and college coaches have already gave notice. The rest of the starting rotation and depth doesn't really fall off from there with the likes of [player_tooltip player_id='2315449' first='Aidan' last='Ray'], [player_tooltip player_id='2313271' first='Evan' last='Hughes'], Elijah Thompson, and [player_tooltip player_id='2303403' first='Sam' last='Phillips']. Now throw in sophomore 6'4" wings [player_tooltip player_id='2434792' first='Marshall' last='Summers'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2390884' first='Grady' last='Paynter'] and you have some incredible length and depth to rely on. Also, a couple freshman that will certainly get a sniff in those rotations are [player_tooltip player_id='2395988' first='Ayden' last='Spence'], a sharp shooting wing and [player_tooltip player_id='2632413' first='Carson' last='Christian'] who is likely the most athletic kid in the program at 6'2". This squad has a chance to be really special and enough depth to wear teams out. <br></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>8. Wheeling Central - has its own version of the "big 3" as we see in the NBA. And Central's version is as complimentary to one another as you can find. Starting with the pilot of the Maroon Knight's ship, [player_tooltip player_id='2211906' first='Eli' last='Sancomb'] who's grabbed the attention of every high school basketball fan in WV along with a handful of Division I coaches. Sancomb's running mates are fellow junior [player_tooltip player_id='1851975' first='Max' last='Olejasz'] who at 6'5" can play three positions easily and has a great skill set to match his dynamic abilities. The shooter of the bunch is [player_tooltip player_id='2208831' first='Troy' last='Anthony'] who was recently offered by Waynesburg and can absolutely light it up from deep. Rounding out the returning squad is [player_tooltip player_id='2605810' first='Tyler' last='Dean'] who will certainly be a contributor along with [player_tooltip player_id='2638887' first='Michael' last='Steiniger']. I don't think there's too many folks that would not consider the Maroon Knights a title contender. <br></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>9. Williamstown - This squad makes the top ten not just on returning talent, but also it's one that I know is in tact coming into this week. This senior class in Williamstown is one of the most anticipated classes of hoopers they've ever had and there's been some great ones. The guy that certainly stirs the drink for the Yellow Jackets is [player_tooltip player_id='1867669' first='Cruz' last='Isaly'] who's setting on multiple college offers going into his senior year along with fellow guard [player_tooltip player_id='1578760' first='Parker' last='Schramm']. Wing and shooter [player_tooltip player_id='1578750' first='Jayden' last='Bryant'] is yet another high level weapon and a real matchup problem for most smaller school squads. [player_tooltip player_id='2638876' first='Carson' last='Hill'] is one of the more unsung heroes of this squad and will be a difference maker in many games as he will have to be accounted for by defenses and is the fourth leading scorer returning. 6'4" [player_tooltip player_id='2303398' first='Tyler' last='Keiser'] and 6'5" [player_tooltip player_id='2605813' first='Isaac' last='Beall'] seem to be the likely candidates to round out the top of this rotation however we'd expect freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2444040' first='Breck' last='Allen'] to add minutes immediately as well. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>10. - Fairmont Senior - The Polar Bears lost most of their production to graduation, but just as they always have, they just keep churning out players and championship appearances. I'd be cautiously optimistic at this point if I'm a Senior fan, however with one of WV's best coaches at the helm I'd expect them to make a run. The cupboards certainly aren't bare with the return of guards [player_tooltip player_id='2377003' first='Darrell' last='Claybrook'], [player_tooltip player_id='2375557' first='Trea' last='Cumberledge'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1578753' first='Julz' last='Butler'], however the rest of the top rotation could be a mystery early on and see alot of different players being mixed in until the winning formula is complete. I think we'll see the likes of [player_tooltip player_id='2434231' first='Matt' last='Blasher'], [player_tooltip player_id='2611801' first='Cayden' last='Cooper'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2638882' first='Ron' last='Chaney-Carter'] in the mix given their length and experience in the program, regardless it will be interesting to see this squad get re-tooled and emerge once again.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>OTHERS TO BE CONSIDERED: Chapmanville, North Marion, Spring Valley, Logan, Wayne, Princeton, Tug Valley, Hedgesville, Woodrow Wilson</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Caleb Thomas</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->