Boyd County Roundball Classic Standout Performers

Class of 2019 point guard Savannah Wheeler of Boyd County HS is a player on the rise her class. She was terrific at #EBAAllAmerican Camp in September (picture above) and was even better at the Round Ball Classic. Photo cred – Ty Freeman

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BOYD COUNTY ROUNDBALL CLASSIC STANDOUTS (FEMALE)

By: @JLHemingwayPSB

ASHLAND, Ky., – Boyd County High School is located in the Tri-State area of Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia. There is more to this area than coal mining and factory work, because of the good basketball that is played year around. The Roundball Classic serves to highlight many of the talented individuals and school teams in the middle of December. Here is a look at the standout performers from last weekend’s lineup.

Gabby Lupardus – Wyoming East (WV) – 2018

The high school season is a new setting for us to see Lupardus perform. She has been a consistent performer in recent years at Elite Basketball Academy camps and with Scott Johnson and the West Virginia Thunder on the summer circuit. She was able to exert herself as a leader and primary play-maker for her team this weekend. Those efforts resulted with a positive outcome as the 5-foot-7 guard scored 18 and 21 points within a 16 hour time frame. That effort included a game winning floater with :05 on clock for the win against East Carter. Lupardus did more than score as she dished out a number of assists and created plays for others on Friday and Saturday.

Harley Paynter – East Carter (KY) – 2021

Anytime a seventh grader steps onto the court in a high school game, it is cause for notice. However, a seventh grader that starts and contributes in a high school game is noteworthy. The left-handed guard is a high energy player who plays solid on both ends of the floor. Although she plays on the wing, she showed the specialty of being able drop assists to teammates. Keep Paynter on the radar as one of the best up and coming players in the Tri-State area.

Kristen Mayo – East Carter – 2017

Mayo went head to head with a talented Wyoming East team on Saturday afternoon. The ETSU commit did not have her jumper in rhythm like we have seen from her in the past, but her play-making ability was in full view at the Roundball Classic. The tough-minded lead guard kept her team close all game long and came within a late bucket of forcing overtime. Her 15 points led her team, however again it was her ball-handling and toughness that has her within the ProspectsNation.com ELITE 100 in her class.

Mykasa Robinson – Ashland (KY) – 2018

The most talented player at the weekend classic was the 5-7 point guard from Ashland. Currently ranked No. 12 in the ProspectsNation.com ELITE 60, Robinson has a reputation of an athletic play-maker. She backed that up with solid play on Saturday afternoon albeit in a loss to Franklin County. Her team is in the midst of a rebuilding process as most of the players around her are short on experience. However, do not expect that to stunt her development as she has a leadership mentality that will allow her to guide her team to success later this season.

Emily Saunders – Wyoming East (WV) – 2019

The 6-4 center proved that she is ready for the spotlight at the Roundball Classic. She finished consistently around the basket, often times as a result of space created by the aforementioned Lupardus. Even more impressive was her ability to affect the game on the defensive end. She swatted shots out of the lane and made life tough for opposing slashing guards. Saunders is not a finished prospect by any means. She still has strength to add physically. However, in terms of skilled big players Saunders is on the radar as one of the nation’s best in her class.

Princess Stewart – Franklin County – 2017

The best new name of the weekend came in the second game on Saturday afternoon. Stewart, a 5-8 guard, showed poise and skill in a win over Ashland. Her ability to hit the open jumper while also being able to handle pressure was key in her team’s victory. She scored 14 points to lead all scorers in this game. We will keep an eye out on her production in upcoming months.

Savannah Wheeler – Boyd County (KY) – 2019

We noted Wheeler’s talent after the EBA All-American camp in September. She backed up her fall performance with an impressive outing this weekend. Her ball handling ability allows her to start at the point guard position for her high school team as a freshman. However, it is her shot making ability that makes her an impact player. She scored 18 in a tough loss to Wyoming East on Friday night and then turned around and scored 21 points in a runaway win over West Carter on Saturday night. We expect to see much more of Wheeler in future years with the West Virginia Thunder on the travel circuit.

See all the weekend updates (like the tweet below) by checking the twitter timeline of @JLHemingwayPSB and @CoachHemi

ETSU commit Kristen Mayo with the scoop & left handed score. Big game for East Carter @Krmayo2 pic.twitter.com/pp7dQM3vK7

— Jonathan Hemingway (@CoachHemi) December 12, 2015

Jonathan Hemingway is the Assistant Director of Scouting for the JumpOffPlus.com International Scouting Report, is on the Naismith Trophy Board of Selectors and owns CoachHemi.com, the go-to source for coaches for X’s and O’s. He is the floor director of #TeamEBA camps, a site director for #TeamPSB tournaments and can be reached at [email protected].