By JAY W. BENNETT
Sports Writer
CHARLESTON — Gilmer County’s Allie Ellyson is certainly no stranger to the Class A basketball all-state first team.
Following a dominant run to the single-A state crown, which culminated with a 66-22 title game victory versus Tug Valley, the Titan senior was honored as captain of the all-state top unit by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association.
Ellyson, who averaged 17.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 3.3 steals while shooting 51% from the field, 36% from beyond the arc and 65% at the free-throw line, was the lone three-peat honoree on the first team.
“Winning a state championship never gets old because they are few and far between, which is the reason they are so special,” admitted Titan boss Amy Chapman, who also watched junior pivot Ava Dobbins earn a nod on the first team for the second consecutive campaign.
“Allie is great on and off the court. It’s so fitting that she was named captain of the all-state team. She has been an incredible player, teammate and captain for our program.”
Dobbins, who recorded her first career triple-double in the championship game that featured 10 blocks, averaged 12.3 points, eight rebounds, shot 55% and swatted not quite three shots a night.
The only other single-A repeat selection was Greenbrier West’s Preslee Treadway. Along with final year averages of 24 points and 13.7 rebounds, the senior owns the Cavaliers’ career record, boys or girls, for most points in a game (46) and a career (1,523).
Tug Valley, which eliminated GWHS in the state semifinals, was represented by Kenzie Browning and junior teammate Bailee Hall (10.9 ppg, 14.3 rpg, 3.2 spg). The senior converted at a 70% clip from the charity stripe and posted averages of 16.2 points, 2.6 boards, 2.5 assists and 3.7 steals.
Cameron, which was held to a state tournament record 4.3% shooting (2 of 46) during a 48-16 semifinal defeat at the hands of the Titans, landed senior Maci Neely (18.1 ppg, 7.1 rpg).
The three-time state champion Dragons eliminated Pendleton County, which received a first team spot from senior Avery Townsend. Aside from going to the foul line 174 times and making 70%, the Wildcat averaged 22.7 points, 6.0 caroms, 3.7 dimes and 4.8 steals.
Notre Dame, which fell to Gilmer County in the quarterfinals, had 70% foul shooter (134 attempts) Selena Wilson garner a spot on the first team. The senior averaged a double-double at 21.2 points and 13.6 rebounds to go along with 4.3 assists and 4.7 steals.
Tucker County, which entered Charleston as the No. 3 seed before being upended by GWHS, was represented by senior Raven Matthews (16.2 ppg, 11.2 rpg, 1.1 apg, 2.1 spg, 1.7 bpg).
The only sophomore to make the first team was River View’s Chasity Kennedy (19.1 ppg, 11.7 rpg, 2.3 apg, 3.4 spg, 1.9 bpg).
Matthews was the captain of the second team in 2024 while the trio of Kennedy, Neely and Wilson also moved up to the first team.
Tug Valley junior Haven Deskins, who averaged 13 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 3.1 thefts, was named captain of the second team.
Also earning second team selections were Greenbrier West senior Maddie Fields, Gilmer County junior Lena Frymier, Wahama 11th-grader Fiona VanMatre, East Hardy senior Brooklynn Tinnell, Huntington St. Joe junior Ava Gallion, Sherman freshman Melanie Estep, Tucker County junior Makenna Evans, Valley junior Laken Dawson and sophomore Allyson Taylor from Pocahontas County.
Wooden plaques in the shape of West Virginia that include the player’s name, school, licensed WVSWA logo, year of the honoree are available to all-state first team, second team and honorable mentions and can be purchased at from the Bear Wood Company through WVSWA.org or Bearwoodcompany.com
The Class A All-State Girls Basketball Team as selected by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association
First Team
Allie Ellyson, Gilmer County (Sr.) (CAPTAIN)
Kenzie Browning, Tug Valley (Sr.)
Preslee Treadway, Greenbrier West (Sr.)
Ava Dobbins, Gilmer County (Jr.)
Raven Matthews, Tucker County (Sr.)
Maci Neely, Cameron (Sr.)
Avery Townsend, Pendleton County (Sr.)
Chasity Kennedy, River View (Soph.)
Selena Wilson, Notre Dame (Sr.)
Bailee Hall, Tug Valley (Jr.)
Second Team
Maddie Fields, Greenbrier West (Sr.)
Haven Deskins, Tug Valley (Jr.) (CAPTAIN)
Lena Frymier, Gilmer County (Jr.)
Fiona VanMatre, Wahama (Jr.)
Brooklyn Tinnell, East Hardy (Sr.)
Ava Gallion, St. Joe (Jr.)
Melanie Estep, Sherman (Fr.)
Makenna Evans, Tucker (Jr)
Laken Dawson, Valley (Jr.)
Allyson Taylor, Pocahontas County (Soph.)
Honorable Mention
Leah Adkins, Greater Beckley Christian; Emily Artrip, Tolsia; Macey Bertram, Cameron; Kaylee Blankenship, River View; Malory Casteel, Gilmer County; Jacey Crumm, Tolsia; Breigyn Dawson, Wirt County; Ava Dunn, Wood County Christian; Mayah Gross, Tucker County; Kaci Hatfield, River View; Elissa Hoffman, Wahama; Ry’Anna Hood, Mount View; Kaylin Kurilko, Trinity Christian; Megan McCoy, Man; Brilee Redden, Greenbrier West; Kierston Rozell, Meadow Bridge.
