Tournament Time: LKC well represented ahead of West Virginia girls basketball championships

PARKERSBURG -- The Little Kanawha Conference made its presence felt in the postseason and five members are in contention for a possible state title when the tournament commences in Charleston on Tuesday.

Both Parkersburg Catholic in Class AA and Gilmer County in Class A have anchored the top of their respective rankings throughout the season so no surprise that both schools are seeded No. 1 in their brackets.

On Tuesday, the Titans open with No. 8 Union at 5:30 p.m., while the Crusaderettes meet No. 8 Buffalo at 7:15 p.m.

After graduating three members from a state runner-up finish last season, Parkersburg Catholic (21-0) has set its sights on running the table, yet at the same time enjoying the moment.

"This has been an unbelievable ride with these kids," PCHS coach Marty Vierheller said. "From Day 1, our team didn't want to hear anything about losing the young ladies who graduated. They just moved on very quickly and developed at such a rapid pace.

"As the postseason has drawn closer, the girls have kept everything in check. They have not been too high nor too low, and remained cool."

For Gilmer County (22-2), losing a co-regional final last season didn't sit well. And now that the starting five are seniors, coach Amy Chapman is treating this season like a business trip.

"Of course, expectations were high for Gilmer last season and we fell short," Chapman said. "The biggest thing is that we didn't let that define us. Obviously, it was hard for the girls to go through, but they used it as motivation to get into the gym, get better and not have to experience that again.

"We're happy it worked out this season and we got to Charleston again. We want to do some good things while we are here."

Two LKC members go head-to-head in a 9 p.m. Class A quarterfinal on Tuesday. No. 4 Doddridge County (19-6) defeated No. 5 Webster County (19-5) in their only meeting during the regular season.

DCHS coach Amy Cheeseman was an eighth grader in the Doddridge County school system the last time the Bulldogs advanced to the girls state tournament in 1997.

The DCHS alum has overcome personal adversity which affected her health and ability to walk. Needless to say, she is cherishing this week's experience.

"I am humbled, grateful and thankful for this opportunity God has given us," Cheeseman said. "I was an assistant at DCHS in 2014 and became ill. I coached for two years and was forced to give up coaching. At one point, I struggled to walk on my own or to stand at all.

"To be here at this point in life is truly a miracle, and I am incredibly thankful for it. Words cannot express how grateful I am to get a second chance at coaching, and to develop relationships with these kids and fellow coaches."

For Class AA No. 3 seed St. Marys (19-5), first-year coach Fred King is a household name, but after 38 years of coaching boys and girls basketball this year marks his first opportunity as the head coach at the state tournament.

Shortly after St. Marys defeated Williamstown in a regional co-final, his phone blew up with texts and phone calls from his former players at Paden City High School where he spent a majority of his coaching career.

"I've been an assistant coach at the state tournament - this year I am going to enjoy going through that back door at the (Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center)," King said. "I don't have to buy a ticket. I get to come in free."

In the quarterfinals, the Blue Devils meet No. 6 Summers County (16-7) at 11:15 a.m. on Wednesday.

"I'm the St. Marys basketball coach and that's priority number one - after we won our regional co-final when I had a chance to reflect, I thought why couldn't my kids at Paden City have this same opportunity," King said. "I also have to say something about my wife, Debbie. We will be married 42 years in June - a coach's wife has to do a lot of sacrificing. I wore a lot of hats at Paden City, and she spent a lot of time following me around. She's always been there to support me."

Class A Quarterfinal

No. 1 Gilmer County vs. No. 8 Union

Considered one of the small schools in the state of West Virginia with a student enrollment of 52 for grades 9-12, Union (18-5) is making its debut at the state tournament after defeating Pendleton County, 54-41, in a regional co-final.

"Union is a scrappy bunch - at this point and time they are going to come ready," Chapman said. "We are not going to change much from what we do. We will just pick them up and defend them like crazy."

Malaysia Morgan leads the Titans in scoring (16.2), rebounding (9.4) and steals (4.2). Trinity Bancroft (14.5) and Carrah Ferguson (10.0) also average double figures in scoring.

Gilmer will pressure baseline to baseline and create havoc. A total of five Titans average 2.7 steals or better per game.

"Basketball just comes naturally for the girls - they just get after it," Chapman said. "Not a whole lot has to be said at this time of the year. They will show up and be ready to play. They will do what Gilmer does and what they've done all year.

"The five senior starters have played together since middle school - they have played together for so long and spent so much time together, it's like a little family."

Class AA Quarterfinal

No. 1 Parkersburg Catholic vs. No. 8 Buffalo

A pair of games on the back-end of the Parkersburg Catholic schedule made for ideal preparation on its journey to the state tournament.

In the LKC Night of Champions title game against Gilmer County, a power outage in Glenville pushed the start time deep into the night. When the game finally began, several offensive runs in the second half lifted the Crusaderettes to an 80-71 win.

"That was quite the night - it was a long day for Parkersburg Catholic," Vierheller recalls. "We were down at the half, so it was a real test for us. The way we responded with so many Gilmer fans there - it was not a character builder, rather a character revealer.

PCHS is led by all-stater Leslie Huffman, who averages 23.8 points, 7.4 rebounds, 6.6 assists and 6.5 steals per game. With more than 40 3-pointers made, the senior point guard ranks second the team only to Jocelyn Thorn.

Both Huffman and classmate Lainie Ross (12.7 ppg and 8.9 rpg) are the veterans of the program. They represent the eyes and ears on the court for coach Vierheller.

"Their leadership and their willingness to mentor the younger teammates really has been as big of a factor in our development," Vierheller said.

Early foul trouble on Ross in a 61-37 win over Ritchie County in the regional co-final helped put the Rebels in front at halftime. PCHS was able to manage the clock and work itself back into a comfort zone during the second half.

"When we had some adversity go against us early in that game, we really had to change our gameplan and buy minutes to get us to halftime," Vierheller said. "I thought our girls responded beautifully."

As for their first test at the state tournament, Vierheller refers back to last season and Buffalo's regional co-final game against Ravenswood. Buffalo did not allow the final score to surpass the teens.

Buffalo returns to the state tournament for the first time in 31 years.

"Buffalo plays a variety of defense," Vierheller said. "Against Ravenswood, they played an extremely deliberate game. We will prepare but not necessarily expect it. At this point of the season, expect the unexpected."

Class A Quarterfinal

No. 4 Doddridge County vs. No. 5 Webster County

Coach Cheeseman turned to a member within the DCHS administration and utilized a contact with Robert C. Byrd which acclimated her players for the deep backdrops in Charleston.

"They actually designed that gym for that reason," Cheeseman said. "At first, it was a little rough for the girls shooting in that gym - the perception was off. We were able to turn down the lights around the court and the court was lit up. I'm glad we did it. I'm hoping that experience will prepare them."

This contest will feature star power from both sides. DCHS junior Abby McDonough leads the team in scoring (19.3), assists (3.6), steals (3.0) and ranks second in rebounding (7.9)

McDonough has a solid compliment of players with Carrie Lloyd (9.6 ppg and 9.9 rpg), Emily Gola (8.2 ppg), Rylee Spurlock (8.0 ppg) and Tenley Paugh (7.5 ppg).

Gola is the Bulldogs best deep threat with more than 40 3-pointers to her credit.

"Abby is one of those athletes that is successful in everything she does - as well as in the classroom," Cheeseman said. "She is just an all-around hard worker. Her success is not an overnight one."

Webster County answers with Sydney Baird. With her, it's all about location, location and location - and knowing where she is on the floor at all times Baird averages 25.2 points, 8.0 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 6.0 steals per game. She is hovering near 60 3-pointers while shooting 87% from the free-throw line.

As vital as Baird is to Webster County, DCHS can't forget about Hollie Perrine (10.4 ppg) on the perimeter.

"Of course, we have to contain Sydney Baird - she is one heck of a player," Cheeseman said. "She is dangerous not just scoring, but all-around. And with Holly Perrine, it will be about containing those two and playing hard-nosed defense."

Doddridge is a legitimate threat in the Class A field. The Bulldogs have played state tournament qualifiers St. Marys and Gilmer County within single digits. On Feb. 1 in Glenville, DCHS led Gilmer with less than a minute remaining in regulation before losing 60-59.

"We are not just content with getting here," Cheeseman said. "We feel we can get to the state championship. A lot of things need to happen for us to do that, but I do feel we are capable."

Class AA Quarterfinal

No. 3 St. Marys vs. No. 6 Summers County

There was a method to his madness when coach King toughened up the back-end of the schedule with the likes of Ohio Division III powerhouse Fort Frye. During a five-day stretch that week of Valentine's Day, the Blue Devils also played Williamstown and Class A state qualifier Doddridge County.

Other than losing 40-26 at Fort Frye, the Blue Devils finished the week 2-1 as the postseason closed in.

"That game against Fort Frye, coach Dan Liedtke exposed us," King said. "Coaches in the seats saw what he did to me. If I hadn't gone to Fort Frye on that Monday, we couldn't have beat the next two teams that week.

"Our worst possible nightmare happened and we fixed it. I told the girls you don't want to play the weaker teams at the end of the season."

Juniors and seniors at St. Marys remember what happened two years ago when the Blue Devils advanced to the state tournament before it was cancelled due to COVID issues.

Josey Moore was a sophomore two years ago. She is averaging 9.0 points per game and leads the team with nearly 50 3-pointers.

Four St. Marys players average nine points or better, including freshman point guard Addie Davis at 10.7 ppg to go along with a team-leading 5.7 rebounds and 4.6 assists, 3.5 steals per game.

"Addie is a warrior," King said. "Her I.Q. and her stamina, along with her strength and abilities is far beyond her years. That cannot be coached. That's in her DNA."

Sophomore Breanna Price leads the team at 11.8 ppg while averaging 5.2 rebounds and 2.9 steals. Junior Zoe Davis tore her ACL in May, but upgraded surgical procedure had her playing fall basketball the final few weeks of the season.

Coach King said her contributions have spiked especially in the past three weeks. Zoe Davis averages 9.8 points, and 5.4 rebounds per game.

King will also utilize senior Millie Kehrer and freshman Callie Powell.

"The other day, I told the girls the moist important things in life are God, family and Summers County," King said. "The girls are excited. They've already been on Huddle studying tendencies of the girls at Summers County."