CHARLESTON – The 2026 WVSSAC girls state basketball tournament is underway in Charleston, and the Morgantown and University girls basketball teams will each hit the court in the Charleston Coliseum in Class AAAA quarterfinal action on Thursday.
Both the Hawks and Mohigans punched tickets to the state tournament after victories in the North Region co-finals.
MHS defeated Preston 76-15, while UHS downed Hedgesville 54-46.
Morgantown earned the 3-seed in the bracket and will battle No. 6 Cabell Midland to open the day on Thursday at 9:30 a.m.
The Mohigans are aiming to play in their fifth consecutive state championship game and to win their second title in that span (2013).
MHS holds an 8-4 record against teams in the state tournament this season, led by freshman Maddie Ancell at 14.7 points per game. Junior Carper Messerly adds 12.7 points per contest for the injury-plagued Mohigans, who have been without standout junior guard Kayli Kellogg all season and junior Brenna Nelson for the second half of the campaign.
Despite the injuries, MHS finished the regular season with a 15-6 record, including victories over Parkersburg, Nitro, and Washington.
“This group has been through a lot this season,” MHS head coach John Fowkes said. “They’re very resilient and play with the mentality of refusing to lose. We have to approach the week game by game to win three games in three days. We believe we can defend, and the ability to do that tends to carry teams when it comes to playing in Charleston.”
Cabell Midland has three players averaging double-figures with juniors Gracie Day (18.2) and Braylan McGuire (13.3), and senior Sophie Kelly (10.2) leading the Knights offensively.
Thursday’s contest will be the first meeting between the two teams this season.
University holds the 7-seed in Class AAAA and will match up with No. 2 Parkersburg on Thursday at 1:00 p.m.
Both the Hawks and Big Reds are in the state tournament for the second straight season, both falling in the quarterfinals a year ago.
UHS is led by senior Bri Fox in nearly every stat, with 20.5 points, 3.6 assists, and 5.0 steals. Junior Whitney Cox adds 10.7 points and 5.2 rebounds per contest.
Parkersburg junior Frances Guice leads the way in scoring (16.3), while Kennedy Porter pours in a double-double every night at 14.9 points and 13.4 rebounds.
“We have to limit our live-ball turnovers, get back in transition, and be as active as we have been all year on defense,” UHS first-year head coach Sammy Lusk said. “Forcing them to earn everything in the halfcourt is crucial. We want them to know that we are in the game for four quarters. We know the challenge ahead of us given their size and ability to shoot the ball, but our group is locked in, and we are going to give our best on Thursday. These are the moments you dream of as a coach and player.”
