Wyoming East Girls
Wyoming East Girls
State champions reload for run at 3-peat
By Dave Morrison for the register-herald
His first girls basketball state championship secured , Wyoming East coach Ryan Davidson took some time to celebrate the achievement last March .
“ It felt good for about three days and then I started thinking about the offseason plan ,” Davidson said .
When the Warriors stormed back from 11 down in the fourth and ended the game on a 15-0 run to beat Williamstown 46-42 , it was the program ’ s fourth title , but the first for Davidson as the Lady Warriors head coach . He was an assistant for two others under coach Angie Boninsegna , who coached the previous three .
It was the Warriors ’ third title in four years , beating Parkersburg Catholic in 2021 and Summers County in 2022 .
Now the trick is to make it a three in a row .
That offseason plan Davidson mentioned seems to be working .
“ The offseason has been really good to them , everyone looks good physically and improved their skills ,” Davidson said .
Cadee Blackburn is back off a season where she shared first-team all-state co-captain honors with graduated teammate Maddy Clark .
She led the state champs in scoring at 17.6 points and 65 3s .
She has scored 1,024 points in her career in three seasons .
“ Cadee Blackburn has worked extremely hard at the intangibles ,” Davidson said .
“ She ’ s extremely skilled , but has worked on her defense , leading by example . She plays with emotion , and it makes her who she is , and she ’ s learning how to use it as an advantage instead of a disadvantage . She ’ s grown up .”
Rick Barbero / The Register-Herald
Cadee Blackburn , of Wyoming East , takes a shot over Brooklyn Adams , of Ravenswood , during the Class AA state semifinals .
Alivia Monroe was an honorable mention all-stater after averaging 5.4 points and 6.1 rebounds .
“ Alivia Monroe has worked her butt off ,” Davidson said . “ You can really tell she worked in the offseason , she moves better and just understands how and why we do what we do . She ’ s the definition of a worker and what hard work can do for someone . I expect a lot out of her .” Gabby Cameron averaged
4.0 points and 4.8 rebounds . “ Gabby Cameron is our third senior ,” Davidson said . “ She can be the best player on the floor every game if she wants to be . If she can stay mentally strong and positive , she can affect every single game we play . She has also changed her game completely , is an extremely good passer and shooter in the mid-range .”
Abi Baker seems to be coming into her own . Davidson didn ’ t mince words .
“ She might be the best player we ’ ve ever had that nobody knows about , yet ,” the coach said . “ She ’ s probably overshadowed by some of the players we ’ ve had but I think she is a star . She is the best defender that we have , and I hate to put this on her , but she might be one of the best defenders in the state . She ’ s worked hard on her left hand and I ’ m getting more confidence with her having the ball in her hand . She did score the last four points of the state championship game . That gives you some street cred .”
Kyndal Lusk returns improved from last season when she averaged 6.5 points , and Riley Brown has transferred over from Westside .
“ Last year Kyndal was more of a defender and a shooter ( 34 3s , second on the team to Blackburn ),” Davidson said . “ She has worked hard to have a more complete game this season . She has a better understanding of what we are trying to do and what we need her to do .
“ Riley came over as soon as the school year ended and has been able to go through our summer sessions which really has been helpful . She is built like Abi ( Baker ) and she can really shoot it .”
Kenna Price is also back and could see more time in the rotation .
“ She ’ s worked hard on her game and is a good rebounder ,” Davidson said . “ In our style she is going to get a chance to show what she can do .”
The Warriors always seem to have a breakthrough freshman year after year . This year that freshman could be Coley Tolliver .
“ I ’ m not saying she is at that skill level yet , but she gives me the vibe of a Maddie Clark , as far as her athletic ability ,” Davidson said . The Warriors ’ style is a staunch , stonewall defense .
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