Tribe's Nick Stalnaker Earns Class AA All-State Boys Basketball Honors; Several Locals Recognized
By Jeff Toquinto on March 22, 2019
The season didn’t end in Charleston, but it didn’t stop members of the state’s media from knowing just how good of a year Bridgeport High School’s Nick Stalnaker had for the Indians. Today, Stalnaker was named as a Class AA All-State selection.
The junior was chosen to the ‘AA’ third team. The units are announced by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association using a ballot of
members and coaches to help guide their selections.
Stalnaker turned into the Indians’ go-to player. The standout was a force on both ends of the floor.
“I think Nick can compete with anyone in the state,” said BHS Coach Mike Robey. “There were nights that he put us on his back and carried us in games. He has 38 one night there was a stretch of games where he averaged 20 to 23 points a night.”
“Nick idd that even when teams were gearing up to stop him with double teams,” Robey continued. “The thing is that he’s more than a scorer and because of what he contributed this year he’s more than deserving of this.”
During his junior year, Stalnaker finished with 14.8 points per game in 24 outings. Stalnaker had a season-high 38 points against Robert C. Byrd in a regular season contest.
“Nick’s potential is unlimited. I’ve told him all year he doesn’t realize how good he is and how good he can be. The sky’s the limit for Nick. Honestly, the thing I love about him is that he’s extremely coachable,” said Robey. “I’ve had kids in the past where they see things one or two moves ahead of everyone else. Nick has that. That’s a special gift.”
Bridgeport landed two honorable mention selections as well. Senior center Tanner Bifano was named to the list along with fellow senior Jake Bowen by the WVSWA.
Robey sang both players' praises during the season that saw them end up finishing the year a game away from making it to Charleston for the Class AA state tournament.
Class AA First team
Jalen Bridges, Fairmont Senior, Sr. (captain)
Obinna Anochili-Killen, Chapmanville, Jr.
Zyon Dobbs, Fairmont Senior, Sr.
Devin Collins, Chapmanville, Sr.
David Early, Logan, Jr.
Luke LeRose, Nicholas County, Jr.
Andrew Work, Oak Hill, Sr.
Braeden Crews, Bluefield, Jr.
Second team
Elliot White, Elkins, Sr.
Dasilas Jones, Fairmont Senior, Sr.
Drew Hatfield, Logan, Jr.
Tanner Kennedy, Robert C. Byrd, Sr. (captain)
Isaac McKneely, Poca, Fr.
Tommy Williams, Shady Spring, Jr.
Ethan Travis, Oak Glen, Sr.
Khori Miles, Robert C. Byrd, Jr.
Third team
McKinley Mann, James Monroe, Sr. (captain)
Darrick McDowell, Oak Hill, Sr.
Nick Stalnaker, Bridgeport, Jr.
Joel Sweat, Nitro, Sr.
Tanner Walls, Lincoln County, Sr.
McQuade Canada, Wyoming East, Jr.
Jack Faulkner, Grafton, Jr.
Gunner Murphy, North Marion, Sr.
Honorable Mention
EJ Barkley, Berkeley Springs; Jagger Bell, Scott; Tanner Bifano, Bridgeport; Caleb Bish, Grafton; Grant Bonner, Herbert Hoover; Jake Bowen, Bridgeport; Hunter Bush, Point Pleasant; Jared Cannady, Independence; Jordan Coon, Roane County; Zach Cook, Man; Christian Frye, Winfield; Kyle Gannon, Lewis County; Will Hackney, Sissonville; Jacob Hamilton, Nicholas County; Jon Hamilton, Scott; Luke Haught, Weir; Jed Hawkins, Philip Barbour; Payton Hawkins, Lincoln; Hunter Hill, Lincoln County; Braden Howell, Liberty Raleigh; RJ Hood, Wyoming East; Chance Howell, Liberty Harrison; Tanner Huffman, Nicholas County; Jaelin Johnson, Fairmont Senior; Gavin Kennedy, Robert C. Byrd; Jordan Kish, Chapmanville; Jansen Knotts, Frankfort; Ryan Leep, Lincoln; Bryson Lucas, Robert C. Byrd; Andrew Mahairas, Nitro; Levi MacAdam, Philip Barbour; Evan McKneely, Poca; Blake Moore, Grafton; Shawn Moran, Lewis County; Philip Mullins, Chapmanville; Robert Murphy, North Marion; Peter Noe, Logan; Hunter Poole, Petersburg; Garrett Quinn, Clay County; Reggie Redman, Keyser; Reed Reitter, Weir; Shad Sauvage, James Monroe; Andrew Shull, Chapmanville; Sean Smith, Oak Glen; Ryan Shoemaker, Keyser; Zach Snyder, Lincoln; Jadyn Stewart, Braxton County; Ben Underwood, East Fairmont; Hunter Walters, Westside; Josh Wellman, Mingo Central; Zach Whiteacre, Frankfort; Donovan Wiles, Elkins; A.J. Williams, Liberty Raleigh; Stephen Williams, Shady Spring;
Editor's Note: Photo by www.benqueenphotography.com.
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