UNDER THE RADAR NAMES FOR THE POSTSEASON: AAAA

<p>The much anticipated AAAA regionals are here and underway. Possibly more parity than there's been in several years should create havoc for some programs but high quality basketball and entertainment for the rest of us.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">REGION I</h2>   <p>Morgantown and Preston both have some under the radar names as it seems the entire Preston team is under the radar but doesn't mean a lack of talent. [player_tooltip player_id='2807500' first='Easton' last='Hayes'] is the guy to remember for Preston. He's their top scorer and leading in rebounds and steals. Meanwhile Morgantown has had such a run of success with its program the entire state seems to be acquainted with their roster. However, they are deep and play alot of guys off the bench and the guy who we think could come outta nowhere and post a big game is [player_tooltip player_id='2434224' first='Collin' last='Ridgeway']. Ridgeway is an excellent shooter from deep and handles the ball at a high level. Watch for him to do some good stuff this week and next. </p>   <p>The other side of the bracket is where the fun is! University has a roster full of quality players that I don't feel like most of the state knows of yet. First and foremost [player_tooltip player_id='2717106' first='Luke' last='Byrer'] is a name folks might wanna get familiar with as he's already checking the boxes for many college scouts with his size and athleticism. Especially if the Hawks make it to Charleston Byrer is someone you'll wanna keep an eye on. On the Buckhannon Upshur side the guy we love to watch is [player_tooltip player_id='2715910' first='Jerin' last='Westfall']. A 6'6" multi-sport athlete, Westfall has incredible size and athletic ability and night in and out gets it done for B-U. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">REGION II</h2>   <p>This region while maybe being the one with the most talent, could also be the one least known by the rest of the state. No matter which two teams advance to Charleston, they will present a huge challenge for an opponent. With Jefferson, the two names I want everyone to know is [player_tooltip player_id='2306129' first='Takiem' last='Drake'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2683734' first='Braydon' last='Swanson']. We saw Drake at a BlueChips Nation event in August and was nothing short of impressed with his motor and constant energy on both ends. Swanson is one of those players that presents a real defensive challenge as he plays all over the floor comfortably and you might see hit a couple in a row from deep followed by a dunk. Jefferson faces off with Spring Mills who's lineup has been familiar with folks in WV for quite some time now but the guy we know could have a huge game at any point is [player_tooltip player_id='2375657' first='Tyler' last='Jones'] coming off the bench as sixth man and has the ability to catch fire immediately, especially from three. </p>   <p>On the other side of the bracket with Martinsburg, we love [player_tooltip player_id='1966428' first='Anthony' last='Owunna'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2568596' first='Zion' last='Duah'] who we saw multiple times in Morgantown's Anderson Court fall league. Both with great length and athleticism. I will likely take one of them having an outstanding game to get past Washington. Speaking of Washington we really like a couple unsung heroes here in [player_tooltip player_id='2699281' first='DJ' last='Boardley'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2707353' first='George' last='Welti']. Boardley is a long rangy player who does alot of things on both ends of the floor, while Welti is a 6'8" beast in the paint. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">REGION III</h2>   <p>This region will resonate with many because it has many of the traditional big school stalwarts that are no stranger to the civic center floor. St Albans is led in scoring by [player_tooltip player_id='2469994' first='Brogan' last='Samms'] who's flew under the radar because he's just a sophomore and isn't on the AAU scene because of baseball. But he has game changing talent. The Red Dragons square off with top seeded George Washington who roster many household names but the one that many aren't aware of that we could see coming in on a relief role and playing a big part is [player_tooltip player_id='2434992' first='Kaden' last='Welch']. Welch is an athletic and lengthy player who scraps underneath, flies up and down the floor rim running and can take on tough defensive assignments. Watch for him when he's in the game. </p>   <p>On the other side of the bracket we have a couple teams with very notable rosters and many guys who have made their presence felt. The Flying Eagles from Beckley have on player in particular who's made huge contributions at times and yet still flew under the radar and that's [player_tooltip player_id='2395960' first='Lucas' last='Raney']. Raney has great range and accuracy from anywhere on the floor especially mid-range. He's a guy who will likely to have to be called upon to push Woodrow Wilson through tonight's regional and into Charleston. For South Charleston, who the Beckley squad will tangle with, they have really an interesting rotation that involves six guys and one, [player_tooltip player_id='2306368' first='Tavarish' last='Porter-Martin'] who in large has been the sixth man. I'd argue the best sixth man in West Virginia and one of the states best on ball defenders. Watch tonight or possibly at the state tournament and you'll agree. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">REGION IV</h2>   <p>Region four is a talented one that has a huge geographical footprint. Starting in the southwest corner of the state with Spring Valley who has an emerging star in [player_tooltip player_id='2345905' first='Harrison' last='Riggs']. Riggs has came on strong as the year has went along and physically grown into a rangy athlete with excellent basketball IQ. Once the game starts he's not hard to pick out. Their opponent in Parkersburg High has a handful of kids that fit the bill of being under the radar but I've narrowed it down to two in [player_tooltip player_id='2710177' first='Isaac' last='Dailey'] and Jackson Chandler. Dailey seems to get it done regardless of the opponent and plays with great intensity while Chandler could quickly become their best scoring option as early as next year. </p>   <p>The other side of the region 4 bracket pits Parkersburg South and Huntington in a qualifier matchup. South has some household names but maybe not as notable as past years. One name we know you will want to watch for whether it be tonight or possibly in Charleston is [player_tooltip player_id='2421841' first='Taj' last='Joyce'], who some might remember from football season. Joyce is a strong, fast and athletic forward who can defend as well as anyone and has a very high ceiling athletically. With Huntington I think [player_tooltip player_id='2561914' first='Pierson' last='Dejneka'] is the guy folks need to keep an eye on tonight and on the civic center floor if they make it. He's a dynamic guard that can play both guard spots, shoots it well from deep with great vision.</p>

The much anticipated AAAA regionals are here and underway. Possibly more parity than there's been in several years should create havoc for some programs but high quality basketball and entertainment for the rest of us.