Conference Preview: MSAC Conference
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Three things you can count on: death, taxes, and the MSAC conference being West Virginia’s deepest conference in terms of AAAA state title contenders. 2021 is no different. Let’s take a look at the top teams, the top players, as…
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Continue ReadingThree things you can count on: death, taxes, and the MSAC conference being West Virginia’s deepest conference in terms of AAAA state title contenders. 2021 is no different. Let’s take a look at the top teams, the top players, as well as some fresh new faces in the MSAC for 2021.
Here are the 4 teams, in order of predicted finish, we expect to contend for the conference title this spring:
Huntington High: The Highlanders return a few key pieces from last season including 5’7 guard Kaiti Swann Kaiti Swann 5'3" | PG Huntington | 2021 State WV and 5’4 guard LaTahia Jackson LaTahia Jackson 5'4" | CG Huntington | 2021 State WV . The addition of 5’4 guard Dionna Gray Dionna Gray 5'3" | PG Huntington | 2022 State WV , transfer from Huntington St. Joseph’s, puts Huntington High not only at the top of the list for a conference title but also makes them a legitimate contender for the AAAA state title this spring. Gray currently holds multiple Division 1 offers and is easily one of the top guards in West Virginia. Another transfer, junior forward Imani Hickman Imani Hickman 5'11" | PF Huntington | 2022 State WV , will be a strong presence in the paint for the Highlanders.
George Washington: The Patriots return 3 starters from last year’s MSAC runner-up team. Senior guard Kalissa Lacy Kalissa Lacy 5'10" | SG George Washington | 2021 State WV is not only the reigning MSAC player of the year but she also won last year’s Ostrowski Award given to the top player in the state each year. Also returning are seniors Vivian Ho Vivian Ho 5'6" | PG George Washington | 2021 State WV and Mary Lyle Smith Mary Lyle Smith 5'10" | PF George Washington | 2021 State WV . Ho is a 5’4 guard and Smith is a 5’10 forward. Arguably, the Patriots also boast the top freshman class in the state led by 5’10 guard Finley Lohan, 5’9 guard Macie Mallory, and 5’10 forward Alaira Evans.
Cabell Midland: The Knights are definitely the deepest team in the MSAC, led by 5’7 guard Jayda Allie Jayda Allie 5'8" | SG Cabell Midland | 2023 State WV . The 2023 guard is a definite Division 1 player. She is joined in the backcourt by her sister, 5’5 guard Rylie Allie. The Allie sisters will both be among the top guards in the conference. Autumn Lewis Autumn Lewis 6'0" | SF Cabell Midland | 2021 State WV , a 6’0 Senior forward, has signed with Alderson Broaddus University and will be a huge contributor for the Knights this spring as they look to make a return trip to the AAAA state tournament. 6’0 Junior forward KK Potter KK Potter 6'0" | PF Cabell Midland | 2022 State WV will also be a key contributor to the Knight’s title run this spring.
South Charleston: The Black Eagles return (3) Seniors who are all four-year starters. The trio is led by 5’8 forward Maliha Witten Maliha Witten 5'10" | PG South Charleston | 2021 State WV . Witten is a fierce competitor that can score on all three levels. 5’7 guard Genevieve Potter Genevieve Potter 5'9" | SF South Charleston | 2021 State WV is one of the league’s top shooters and will help Witten with the bulk of the scoring load for the Black Eagles. 5’9 forward Mia Terry Mia Terry 5'11" | PF South Charleston | 2021 State WV plays with a high motor and will control the glass for the Black Eagles. Sidney Harris Sidney Harris 5'5" | SG South Charleston | 2023 State WV , a 5’6 sophomore guard, will also be a key piece to the puzzle as the Black Eagles make a run at the league’s top spot.
Preseason All MSAC Team:
Kalissa Lacy Kalissa Lacy 5'10" | SG George Washington | 2021 State WV -5’9 guard-George Washington: The Morehead State signee led the league in scoring last season.
Maliha Witten Maliha Witten 5'10" | PG South Charleston | 2021 State WV -5’8 forward-South Charleston: The senior will stuff the stat sheet for the Black Eagles.
Jayda Allie Jayda Allie 5'8" | SG Cabell Midland | 2023 State WV -5’7 guard-Cabell Midland: The 2023 guard can shoot it, handle it, and is a tough-nosed defender.
Kaiti Swann Kaiti Swann 5'3" | PG Huntington | 2021 State WV -5’7 guard-Huntington High: Can score in multiple ways and will provide senior leadership.
Autumn Lewis Autumn Lewis 6'0" | SF Cabell Midland | 2021 State WV -6’0 forward- Cabell Midland: The AB signee has great feel around the rim and can shoot with range.
Dionna Gray Dionna Gray 5'3" | PG Huntington | 2022 State WV -5’4 guard-Huntington High: Multiple D1 offers, the most complete players in the MSAC. Our pick for MSAC player of the year.
Others to watch:
Vivian Ho Vivian Ho 5'6" | PG George Washington | 2021 State WV -5’4 guard-George Washington
Rylie Allie-5’5 guard-Cabell Midland
Natalyia Sayles Natalyia Sayles 5'8" | SF Capital | 2022 State WV -5’8 guard-Capital
Mya Toombs Mya Toombs 5'5" | CG Capital | 2023 State WV -5’5 guard-Capital
Caroline Asbury Caroline Asbury 5'10" | PF Spring Valley | 2021 State WV -5’10 forward-Spring Valley
Genevieve Potter Genevieve Potter 5'9" | SF South Charleston | 2021 State WV -5’7 guard-South Charleston
Kisten Roberts Kisten Roberts 5'10" | C Parkersburg | 2022 State WV -5’9 forward-Parkersburg
Newcomers expected to make an impact:
Finley Lohan-5’10 guard-George Washington
Nini Pannell-5’5 guard-Capital
Macie Mallory-5’9 guard-George Washington
Hazley Matthews-5’7 guard-Cabell Midland
Alaira Evans-5’10 forward-George Washington
Josie Graves-5’10 forward-Cabell Midland
Amara Jackson-5’8 guard-Huntington