Mid-season report: Analyzing area basketball teams at the midway point
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PARKERSBURG -- Whether basketball teams deserve the red carpet treatment with their glamorous win-loss records or muddled through some trying times, plenty remains to be resolved as the high school season turns the corner for the second half of the season.
Friday's blanket of snow wiped out whatever games were slated, but allows the opportunity to put the microscope on some of the high-profile programs enjoying success on the court.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Gilmer County (10-0)
Following last season's early exit at the Class A state tournament, Gilmer County has embodied the cohesiveness part of the game and become the frontrunner in the East Division of the Little Kanawha Conference.
"At the outset, we knew how special this team would be," said Amy Chapman, now in her 17th season as the Titan head coach. "We knew how much success they were going to have because of their mindset, their attitude and how coachable they are. They have so much passion for the program.
"Last year was a new learning curve for the young girls because they had to learn to play with each other. Last year was the first year they played together. They had to learn to play to each other's strengths, and they have figured all that out."
For a team which goes eight deep, the Titans - ranked No. 2 in Class A — feature three players scoring in double figures with Allie Ellyson (13.4), Ava Dobbins (13.4) and Lena Frymier (12.4).
"Allie Ellyson is one of the best point guards in the state - she gets us going and is a smart leader," Chapman said.
Gilmer hangs it hat on defense and rebounding, and executing the little things that definitely don't go unnoticed by Chapman.
"Just about every game on the sideline I see something that happens at a very high-level," Chapman said. "It shows their IQ - it is fun to sit back and watch. It may be just a defensive rotation for me and how they picked up the read.
"Sometimes I might call timeout just to tell them in the huddle 'That was just great how you girls handled that play.'"
Parkersburg High School (10-2)
A rather impressive win against No. 3 Wheeling Park earlier this week boosts Parkersburg's resume down the road, but as the fifth-ranked Big Reds treat every opponent on the schedule it's just one game in the grand scheme.
"Building our resume is very important, but we don't put too much emphasis on one game," PHS coach Chris Murray said. "The girls see our record - they aren't dumb. They know. But we try to keep our sights set on what we have this week."
Parkersburg is an outfit averaging 70 points per game, so offensive production arrives from a multitude of individuals - starting with senior Trinity Balog, who is averaging 24.5 points and 8.0 rebounds per game.
Between Balog and the guard combination of Lauren Flanagan and Audriana Medina, as well as Sophie Lott, PHS is knocking down on average eight 3-pointers per game.
Regardless if it's a game situation or working with the feeder programs, Balog is a fierce competitor.
"We ran some practices for the elementary and middle school programs, and Trinity didn't miss a beat when it came down to all those kids," Murray remembers. "She is the most competitive person I have ever met - our high school girls are scrimmaging Madison Elementary and Trinity is trying to score 30 on these fifth graders.
"I had to take her out of the game. She doesn't have an off button."
PHS is in a good place for several years, especially in the front court with Flanagan and Medina as underclassmen.
"Lauren is so valuable in what she does," Murray said. "To be a sophomore, she doesn't view herself as a young player. She just gets it. We put a lot of faith and trust in her.
"Audriana is not scared of the moment. Everybody else watching might view it is as a big shot, but it's a drill we do in practice."
Down in the post, sophomore Kennedy Porter (8.5 ppg, 7.9 rpg) is increasing her numbers on the boards in each passing game. She recently turned in three games with double-digits in rebounding.
"Kennedy wants to do her job - she cares about the team," Murray said. "All these kids are accepting their roles."
Williamstown (10-3)
While Gilmer County controls its own destiny in the LKC East Division, Williamstown is in the same boat in the LKC West Division. The Yellowjackets, ranked No. 3 in Class AA, are unbeaten in league games, but have a major barrier standing in the way on Jan. 31 at St. Marys.
The Yellowjackets are seeking to rebound from a three-point loss at Wheeling Central last Saturday after having won five straight.
"The only thing we need is to get on the court in get our rhythm - the weather has affected us, but everybody has had the same problem and nobody is getting out there." Williamstown coach Fred Sauro said.
Williamstown's productivity originates from post player Faith Pickens, who is averaging a double-double (14.1 ppg, 11.6 rpg). On two occasions this season, she has finished with 20 or more rebounds.
Riley Landis, who is president of the student body, gives the Yellowjackets presence. As part of her 12.1 scoring average, Landis leads the team with 22 3-pointers.
As Williamstown embarks on the second half of the season, look for freshman point guard Quinn Bunch to become more of a scoring threat.
"Quinn gives us steadiness - she doesn't turn the ball over hardly at all which makes us unpressable," Sauro said. "She needs to be more aggressive offensively. That process for a young point guard will come. You can't push the river; you can't speed the harvest. The river has to flow."
Parkersburg South (8-5)
Physical therapists have job security working with the Parkersburg South girls basketball program. During a loss at Wheeling Park, starters Payten Mackey (9.1 ppg) and Gracie Shamblin (11.9 ppg) played only seven minutes. Those two individuals, along with a third starter - Lucie Cline (11.4 ppg) - were unavailable to play in a recent loss at Waterford.
Returning to full strength is a priority.
"We are hopeful we will get them back sooner rather than later," South coach Ed Davis said of his ballclub currently ranked No. 6 in Class AAAA. "Hopefully, this gives us time to give the other kids significant reps, which we really didn't have when we went to Waterford."
During Tuesday's 50-34 loss at Waterford, South was undersized in the post attempting to defend the 6-foot-4 Avery Wagner. South's Regan Shockey was given primary duty despite giving up seven inches. Wagner finished with 25 points and 25 rebounds.
Consider South was swept by Parkersburg in two games a total of five points and toss out out the blowout loss at Wheeling Park, and the Patriots are right there.
"I think we can compete with anybody - I really do," Davis said. "Wheeling Park was an aberration. We really believe we can play good basketball at a high level. At times, we just need to get through a rough patch.
"We need to get healthy. We are close to where we want to be. As a coaching staff, we see it."
BOYS BASKETBALL
Williamstown 10-1
Fans arriving for a Williamstown boys basketball game better have their programs ready as soon as the ball tipped because the Yellowjackets continue to utilize a deep bench before the first quarter comes to a close.
"We play 11 kids - we love them all," said Williamstown coach Scott Sauro, who has led the Yellowjackets to as No. 2 ranking in Class AA. "We can't be who are without them. They bring energy every day. They are an invaluable group.
"We will play those 10 to 11 kids all in the first quarter. It lets them know we trust them. It's a luxury not a lot of small school teams have. Or some big schools for that matter."
As many as eight players have scored in double figures this season, including junior Parker Schramm (18.9 ppg), who is less than 100 points from scoring 1,000 in his high school career.
"Parker has started three years for us and seen just about everything in terms of defenses," Sauro said. "What he has done is expanded his game because he is able to take the ball to the basket. His freshman year, he did not do that. He has put in the work."
Sauro compared his game to Schramm's as high school basketball players.
"He is a better athlete than; he jumps better than me," Sauro said. "He's probably faster. I wouldn't want to play him a game of horse for any amount of money."
Other parts adding to the sum are Jayden Bryant (14.9 ppg) and point guard Cruz Isaly (7.8 ppg, 4.1 apg).
"The other day, the coach of the other team said before the game I like Cruz Islay - he is like the head of the snake," Sauro said. "He meant that in a really good way. We feed off Cruz's energy. He does a great job seeing the floor and is also able to get to the rim."
"When we lost all-stater Alex Ivin, we needed Jayden to expand his game. And he has done that. I'm proud of his development."
Ravenswood (9-3)
The deafening silence on the 58-minute return trip from Ellenboro to Ravenswood told the story. The Red Devils, currently ranked No. 6 in Class AA, had just suffered a 54-52 loss at Ritchie County
"Maybe the kids wished they could do that game all over again, but I dol them you don't get do-overs," Ravenswood coach Mick Price said. "I told them if they don't do it right, there are no do-overs and you will be getting ready to do track and baseball.
"We have been a work in progress to this point. It's taken a while to build that chemistry should be happy to be 9-3, but even in our best games I don't think we have played our best games."
Nearly four players average in double figures for Ravenswood with Beau Bennett (14.8 ppg), Noah Dawson (12.5 ppg) Evan Swain (12.1 ppg) and Logan Alfred (9.8 ppg).
Since the Ritchie County loss, Ravenswood has righted the ship with two straight wins. Waiting on the schedule in the next two weeks are games with regional and top 11 teams Buffalo and Poca.
"We also played regional opponent Charleston Catholic - we are trying to get an idea of what we to expect should we meet these teams in the postseason," Price said. "I told the guys, we have to stay on course. We need to have great practices and be all in and stay focused. We need to have a consistent 32 minutes every game."
Parkersburg South (1-9)
Opponents beware: Once the Parkersburg South shooters start finding the range on a more consistent basis, the Patriots can put their current record in the rear view mirror.
"We have just not shot the ball well," South coach Mike Fallon said. "We may be 1-9, but we won't pack it in until we are knocked out. No matter what happens, the kids are still committed."
The perfect remedy may lie in the upcoming schedule as South plays six of eight games at home. The Patriots have played a mere two home games to date.
"My wife was saying it's like basketball hasn't started yet," Fallon said. "I agreed, it does feel that way. We are still trying to find our identity. The guys know they can get there. It will happen.
"It's like nobody has overwhelmed us."
Contact Kerry Patrick at kpatrick@newsandsentinel.com