MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The WVSSAC Girls Basketball State tournament will begin on March 5 at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center. Radio broadcasts of all state tournament games will air on the MetroNews Radio Network and will be streamed at wvmetronews.com. MetroNews will also produce HD video broadcasts of the four championship games.
Class A:
No. 1 Cameron (20-5) vs. No. 8 Pocahontas County (13-11) – Wednesday, March 6 at 5:30 p.m.
The Dragons are seeking their third consecutive Class A state championship. The last three-peat girls champion in any class was Morgantown (2014-2016). Youngstown State signee Ashlynn Van Tassell scored her 2,000th career point in Cameron’s Region I final vs. Doddridge County.
For the second consecutive season, Cameron loaded up their regular season schedule with opponents in higher classifications, including Union Local (OH), Norwin (PA), Wheeling Park, Parkersburg South, Huntington, Wayne and Wheeling Central Catholic. The Dragons are unbeaten against Class A opponents.
Four seniors are featured in the Cameron starting lineup, including the program’s all-time assist leader Kenzie Clutter.
Pocahontas County has qualified for the state tournament for the first time since 2020. The Warriors were seeded second in their sectional tournament but they won at Pendleton County, 52-49 in the final to earn hosting rights in the regional. Pocahontas defeated East Hardy, 70-37 to secure the regional title.
The Warriors enter the state tournament on a four-game winning streak. They closed the regular season with a win over 2023 Class AA state runner-up Summers County, 53-45 in Hinton.
Sophomore Calli Propst leads the Warriors in scoring at 10.8 points per game. Senior Olivia Vandevender averages 10.3 points per game. Freshman Allyson Taylor leads the team in rebounding with ten per game.
No. 2 Gilmer County (23-2) vs. No. 7 River View (17-8) – Wednesday, March 6 at 1 p.m.
The Titans own the best record among all Class A teams. Gilmer has qualified for the state tournament in each of the last four seasons. They advanced to the 2022 state championship game.
Gilmer County opened the season by winning their first 21 games. The Titans fell to Huntington St. Joseph’s, 50-46 in the sectional final. However, they won at Tug Valley to secure a state tournament bid. The Titans swept a pair of regular season meetings with Tucker County and they are 5-1 against state tournament qualifiers. Gilmer won the Little Kanawha Conference Tournament title with a 53-49 win over St. Marys in overtime.
GCHS junior guard Allie Ellyson recently reached the 1,000-point plateau.
River View returns to the state tournament after a one-year absence. The Raiders were one of two Class A teams to win on the road in the regional round. RVHS advanced to the state tournament with a 95-92 win at Greenbrier West.
After a 4-4 start to the season, River View enjoyed an eight-game winning streak in the middle of their schedule.
Freshman guard Chastity Kennedy leads the team in scoring at 15.2 points per game. Senior Abigail Pruitt (13.1) and freshman Kaci Hatfield (10.9) also average double digits in scoring. Kennedy also leads the squad in rebounding (7.1)
No. 3 Tucker County (19-5) vs. No. 6 Tyler Consolidated (13-12) – Wednesday, March 6 at 9:30 a.m.
Tucker County owns West Virginia’s longest streak of state tournament appearances. The Mountain Lions have won 20 consecutive regional championships. A significant portion of their roster returned from last year’s state runner-up team.
The Mountain Lions head to Charleston with wins in nine of their last ten games.
Junior Raven Matthews leads Tucker in scoring (13.0) and rebounding (11.1). Seniors Ericka Zirk (10.8) and Macy Helmick (10.3) also average double-digits in scoring.
Tyler Consolidated is making their first state tournament appearance since 2003. The Silver Knights lost their first six games to open the year but they are currently riding a six-game winning streak. Tyler upset Doddridge County in the sectional finale, 57-48 to earn hosting rights for their regional game against Valley Wetzel.
Sophomore Kathryn Grimm is the Knights’ leading scorer (11.5 points per game). Junior Juliana Lattea averages a double-double (10.5 points, 11 rebounds).
No. 4 Huntington St. Joseph’s (19-5) vs. No. 5 James Monroe (16-8) – Wednesday, March 6 at 9 p.m.
The Irish have qualified for the state tournament for the first time since 2020. St. Joseph’s won nine state championships from 2009-2019. In their third season under head coach Jessica Huff, the Irish are currently on an eight-game winning streak.
St. Joseph’s is the only Class A team to defeat Gilmer County this season. They won in Glenville in the sectional championship game, 50-46.
Sophomore Ava Gallion leads the Irish in scoring (16.2 points per game). Senior Niko Kaufmann also scores in double-digits (12.9).
Like Tyler Consolidated, James Monroe is making their first state tournament appearance in 21 years. The Mavericks head to Charleston on a five-game winning streak. They also had win streaks of four and six games during the regular season. James Monroe is 4-0 this season against teams in the Class A state tournament field.
Junior Maggie Boroski is the team’s leading scorer at 19.5 points per game. Senior Mary Meadows averages 14.3 points per game and she leads JMHS in assists (7.3) and steals (5.9).
Class AA:
No. 1 Wyoming East (21-2) vs. No. 8 Charleston Catholic (12-11) – Thursday, March 7 at 5:30 p.m.
The Warriors are one of three defending state champions to qualify for the 2024 state tournament. East heads to Charleston with a 15-game winning streak and only one of those wins came by less than 18 points. WEHS is unbeaten against Class AA opponents.
Since 2016, Wyoming East has won three state titles and finished as the runner-up three times. Junior guard Cadee Blackburn leads the team in scoring at 17.9 points per game and Madison Clark averages 14.4 points.
Charleston Catholic has won regional titles in four consecutive seasons. The Irish are one of the top defensive teams in Class AA, allowing just 38.1 points per game. Sophomore Mary Rushworth leads CCHS in scoring (17.8).
In their three postseason victories, the Irish have allowed just 77 points.
No. 2 Williamstown (19-4) vs. No. 7 Petersburg (15-9) – Thursday, March 7 at 1 p.m.
The state’s all-time wins leader in girls high school basketball, Fred Sauro has led the Yellowjackets to their first state tournament appearance in three seasons. WHS advanced through the state’s toughest Class AA region with a 51-48 overtime win over St. Marys in the regional round.
Williamstown has won seven consecutive games and nine of their last ten. The Yellowjackets defeated Petersburg, 49-37 on December 8. WHS is 4-2 against state tournament opponents. Just two seniors (one starter) are featured in the Williamstown lineup.
Junior Faith Pickens is averaging a double-double (14.9 points, 11.3 rebounds).
Petersburg heads to Charleston riding a four-game winning streak. Five of their nine losses have come against state tournament qualifiers. Senior guard Karmen Whetzel leads PHS in scoring at 11.1 points per game while senior Abigail Alt averages 9.7.
No. 3 Wheeling Central Catholic (15-8) vs. No. 6 Trinity (19-5) – Thursday, March 7 at 9:30 a.m.
The Maroon Knights are seeking their first state championship since 2018. Central opened their season with seven consecutive wins and they own quality victories over Williamstown, St. Marys (twice), Charleston Catholic and Parkersburg Catholic.
Wheeling Central is led in scoring by junior forward Kaitlyn Blake. She averages 23.3 points per game. Blake also pulls down 7.9 rebounds per contest. Senior guard Brooklyn Edge leads Central in assists per game (6.1). Haley Severns leads the team in rebounding (9.8).
Trinity started the season with a 5-4 record before winning 12 of their last 13 games. The lone loss in the span came against Cameron in the OVAC 1A Championship game. The Warriors yield just 45.1 points per game.
Senior Jenna Barnett leads the Warriors in scoring. She scored 34 points in Trinity’s sectional championship victory over Braxton County.
No. 4 Ravenswood (18-6) vs. No. 5 Chapmanville (15-9) – Thursday, March 7 at 9 p.m.
Ravenswood has won eight consecutive games and 13 of their last 14.
Senior guard Hadleigh McGoskey is the team’s leading scorer at 24 points per game. Fellow senior Emily Wratchford averages 13.5 points and 5.9 assists per contest.
Chapmanville has qualified for the state tournament for the first time since 2011. The Tigers eliminated 2023 state runner-up Summers County in the regional round after falling to the Bobcats twice in the regular season. Six of CHS’ nine losses have come against state tournament qualifiers.
Senior Alaina Evans leads Chapmanville in scoring at 19 points per game. Fellow senior Jaiden Mahon averages 10.7 points per game.
Class AAA:
No. 1 East Fairmont (24-0) vs. No. 8 Weir (13-10) – Tuesday, March 5 at 5:30 p.m.
The Bees are the only undefeated high school basketball team (boys or girls) remaining in West Virginia. All but one of their victories have come by double-digits. East is 6-0 against teams in the state tournament field.
East averages 73 points per game. West Virginia State signee Kenly Rogers surpassed the 1,000-point plateau in December. She leads the Bees in scoring at 18.6 points per contest and adds 4.2 assists. Sophomore Kailee Haymond chips in with 10.5 points per game. Sophomore Brooklyn Shupe averages a team-best 6.7 rebounds per contest.
Weir defeated defending Class AAA state champion North Marion in the sectional final to earn hosting rights in the regional round.
After a 9-10 start, the Red Riders have won six consecutive games. Weir is making their third appearance at the state tournament.
No. 2 Wayne (22-1) vs. No. 7 Keyser (18-5) – Tuesday, March 5 at 1 p.m.
Wayne is the No. 2 seed in the state tournament for a second consecutive season. Their lone loss was a two-point defeat to Class AAAA opponent University. All but one of Wayne’s victories have come by double-digits.
The Pioneers average 66.7 points per game and they are on a nine-game winning streak. Junior Brooke Adkins leads the Pioneers in scoring (15.7) and rebounding (8.0). Freshman Jaycelyn Sammons averages 14.6 points per game and a team-best 3.8 assists.
Keyser eliminated defending Class AAA state champion North Marion in the regional round and they head to Charleston on a 12-game winning streak. Freshman Riley Felton leads the Golden Tornado in scoring (18.8) and junior Autumn Kerchner adds 11 points per game.
No. 3 Nitro (21-3) vs. No. 6 PikeView (18-6) – Tuesday, March 5 at 9:30 a.m.
The 2021 Class AAA state champions from Nitro will face PikeView in a rematch of a 2022 quarterfinal contest. The Wildcats have won 11 consecutive games.
Junior Natalie Smith leads NHS in scoring (15.6), rebounding (7.8) and blocks (1.7). Junior Ava Edwards averages 9.7 points per game and she leads the team in assists (3.7).
PikeView is one of the top defensive teams in Class AAA. The Panthers yield just 38.8 points per game They have held teams to 40 points or less 14 times.
PHS head coach Tracy (Wyatt) Raban was an All-American guard at Glenville State.
No. 4 Lewis County (22-3) vs. No. 5 Philip Barbour (15-8) – Tuesday, March 5 at 9 p.m.
Big 10 Conference rivals will share the court in the last of the four Class AAA quarterfinals. After qualifying for the 2023 state tournament, the Minutemaids opened this season on an 11-game winning streak and they are on a six-game run as they head to Charleston.
Senior Kenna Maxwell leads the Minutemaids in scoring at 16 points per game. Senior Emma Pinkney adds 12.8 points per game and she leads the squad in rebounding (8.5). Bryn Hunt is Lewis’ third double-digit scorer (10.7).
In their lone regular season meeting on February 8, the Minutemaids defeated the Colts, 63-37.
PBHS is back in Charleston after making a run to last year’s Class AAA title game as the No. 6 seed in the tournament. The Colts won eight games to start this season but the endured a five-game losing streak in February.
Philip Barbour was the only Class AAA team to win on the road in the regional round. Senior Braylyn Sparks leads PB in scoring (12.0). Freshman Rylee Bodkins (10.6) and fellow freshman Elizabeth Knotts (10.1) also score in double figures. Knotts leads the team in rebounding (9.6).
Class AAAA:
No. 1 George Washington (21-3) vs. No. 8 Musselman (17-8) – Tuesday, March 5 at 7:15 p.m.
The Patriots are unbeaten against in-state opponents and they enjoyed a 16-game winning streak in the middle of the regular season. The Mountain State Athletic Conference champions are 5-0 against state tournament qualifiers. Division I prospect Zaniah Zellous and UNC-Wilmington signee Finley Lohan are the top two scorers for the Patriots. Freshman guards Rayana Breckenridge and Jeriyah Pryor have been fixtures in the starting lineup.
GWHS averages 68.2 points per game.
Musselman claimed their first regional title with a 50-36 win at Martinsburg. Jasmine Morris leads MHS in scoring (14.8), rebounding (9.2) and she is second on the team in steals (3.8).
Senior Sarah Price is second on the team in scoring (7.0). Musselman allows 41.8 points per game.
No. 2 Wheeling Park (21-4) vs. No. 7 Washington (12-10) – Wednesday, March 6 at 7:15 p.m.
Wheeling Park features a trio of 1,000-point scorers in senior Natalie Daugherty and juniors Alexis Bordas and Lala Woods. Park is 6-2 against state tournament opponents and half of those victories came against defending state champion Morgantown.
Bordas, the reigning state player of the year, leads the Patriots in scoring at 23.3 points per game. Woods averages 16.2 and Daugherty adds 14.8 points per contest.
Wheeling Park, the Class AAAA state runners-up last season, are averaging 76.1 points per game.
Washington went 8-2 against Eastern Panhandle Athletic Conference opponents. Lexi Adams leads WHS in scoring at 13 points per game.
Washington allows 44.5 points per game.
No. 3 Spring Valley (19-6) vs. No. 6 Huntington (11-13) – Wednesday, March 6 at 11:15 a.m.
Sectional rivals Spring Valley and Huntington will meet for the fourth time this season in the Class AAAA quarterfinals. The Timberwolves have won the first three meetings by 12, 2 and 6 points.
Spring Valley, state semifinalists in 2023, average 61.6 points per game this season. They are 7-3 this season against state tournament opponents. Four underclassmen starters (Allie Daniels, Brooklyn Ellis, Sophi Hutchison and Dria Parker) join senior Haleigh Crum in the starting lineup.
Huntington is two years removed from winning the Class AAAA state championship. Seniors Amara Jackson and Jada Turner were key contributors to their 2022 title team.
The Highlanders won just two of their first eight games to open the season, but they won at Parkersburg in the regional round to return to the state tournament after a one-year absence. Veteran head coach Lonnie Lucas has won four state championships as the leader of the Highlanders (2000, 2017, 2021 and 2022).
No. 4 Morgantown (16-8) vs. No. 5 Greenbrier East (21-4) – Tuesday, March 5 at 11:15 a.m.
Defending state champion Morgantown is back in Charleston after enduring an up-and-down season. The Mohigans won their first nine games this season before going 3-7 over their next ten.
Senior and Indiana, Pa. signee Lily Jordan has missed the last four weeks of the season due to injury. Junior Sadaya Jones scored 33 points in Morgantown’s regional win at University. Freshman Kayli Kellogg has been a starting guard for the entire season.
The Mohigans allow 45.8 points per game.
Greenbrier East has qualified for the state tournament for the first time since 2020. After a 3-3 start to the season, the Spartans have won 18 of their last 19 games and eight games in a row. They defeated Class AA No. 1 seed Wyoming East, 75-52 on December 27.
East averages 63.3 points per game.
