MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — It was a busy Wednesday for high school athletes throughout West Virginia, as November 10 marked the start of fall signing period and non-football athletes permitted to sign a National Letter of Intent to accept scholarships at Division I and Division II colleges.
A look at high-profile signings from across the state Wednesday:
Josiah Davis inks with WVU basketball
A 6-foot-3, 190-pound guard from Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, Davis currently plays at Teays Valley Christian School in Scott Depot, where he competes against national prep programs.
Davis will begin his final season at Teays Valley next week before beginning his career as a Mountaineer.
“When I went to sign the paper, my hands were shaking a little bit,” Davis said on Citynet Statewide Sportsline. “It was nerve-wracking. When I signed that paper, I knew I was signing over to a great program.”
Davis averaged 20.8 points and 4.7 rebounds last season, while shooting 69 percent and 42 percent on three-pointers.
“There’s always room for improvement,” Davis said. “Right now, I’m working on coming off screens, step backs and transition jump shots.”
Davis played for the Canadian Under-16 National Team, which he helped win a silver medal at the FIBA Under-16 Americas Championship in Brazil. Davis was also a member of Nike’s UPlay club team.
“Josiah will bring us much-needed size to the point guard position,” West Virginia head coach Bob Huggins said. “He’s a very efficient penetrator with the ball.”
A strong turnout was on hand at Teays Valley for Davis’ signing, including his parents.
“I was glad to have them there with me,” Davis said. “Definitely something I needed. They’ve been a big support system for me since I started playing basketball. What better way to have a signing than being surrounded by your parents?”
Welcome to Almost Heaven, @_josiahdavis
? Josiah Davis
? 6’3″
? Guard
? Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
? Teays Valley Christian School #HailWV | #NSD21 pic.twitter.com/0GjMERed3b— WVU Men’s Basketball (@WVUhoops) November 10, 2021
Poca’s Isaac McKneely makes it official with Virginia
The 6-3 McKneely joins the Cavaliers after three memorable seasons with the Dots in addition to a wealth of success on the AAU circuit.
A strong turnout was on hand for his signing Wednesday evening at PHS.
“I put this on social media about a week ago and didn’t know how many people would show up,” McKneely said on High School Sportsline. “To see the whole town of Poca behind me and have them all there was really a special moment. I hope I can continue to make them proud. A lot of kids don’t get this opportunity.”
Last season’s Bill Evans Award winner as the state’s top player, McKneely led Poca to a Class AA runner-up finish with an average of 21.8 points, while making 62 threes.
His late-game heroics in a semifinal win over Charleston Catholic enabled Poca to reach the final.
Virginia coach Tony Bennett had taken notice of McKneely well before then.
“He jumped on me really early,” McKneely said. “Most of the big-time schools I had offers from came in a little bit later. He’s really important on relationships. He called me once or twice a week every week. I could tell he really cared about me. I’m really thankful to get accepted into a school like Virginia.”
Serving as Poca’s primary ball handler for much of last season, McKneely also added 3.8 assists to go with 4.3 rebounds on average.
In the near future, he’ll see how his game measures up in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
“Things got hectic [during the recruiting process] for a little bit, but I’m really thankful,” McKneely said. “A lot of kids would die to be in my shoes right now.”
Welcome to our ? family @IsaacMcKneely and Happy Birthday! ??⚔️? #GoHoos pic.twitter.com/bQpTx6ozBh
— Virginia Men’s Basketball (@UVAMensHoops) November 10, 2021
University’s Josh Edwards joins Oregon’s cross country/track & field programs
The Hawks’ standout has experienced no shortage of success during decorated cross country and track and field careers at UHS.
Edwards won his third straight individual cross country title last month, while guiding University to its second consecutive Class AAA championship.
Edwards set a state track and field meet record in the 3,200 with a finish of 8:52.82 last season, and took first in the 1,600 at 4:12.02. He was also part of the Hawks’ first place 4×800 relay team.
Prior to the state meet, Edwards set a state record in the 3,200 at 8:49.04 while running in the Mountaineer Showcase.
Independence’s Michael McKinney signs with North Carolina State baseball
A standout shortstop for the Patriots, McKinney was a Class AA first-team all-state selection last season after helping lead IHS to a 23-5 season.
The Patriots were the No. 1 seed in the state tournament and finished a semifinalist.
McKinney hit .430 with five home runs and eight doubles. He drove in 35 runs, scored 41 and added 13 stolen bases.
St. Albans’ Carson McCoy signs with Louisiana baseball
A versatile infielder who also pitched for the Red Dragons, McCoy signed to continue his career on the diamond for the Ragin’ Cajuns.
McCoy hit .357 and scored 45 runs a season ago.
⚾️ Carson McCoy – IF
St. Albans, WV | St. Albans HS“Offensively, has the ability to put extreme pressure on the defense with his legs along with a strong defensive mindset.”#GeauxCajuns ⚜️#NSD22 pic.twitter.com/A8EpvGUSIv
— Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns® Baseball (@RaginCajunsBSB) November 10, 2021
Fairmont Senior’s Meredith Maier to Marshall
After transferring from Grafton, Maier made a mark as a junior in her first season with the Polar Bears.
The 6-foot Maier helped lead FSHS to a Class AAA runner-up appearance and was a first-team all-state selection with averages of 18.3 points, 12.9 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 4.7 steals and 1.6 blocks.
Welcome to the Herd Women’s Basketball family, @MaierMeredith! #RiseAsOne x #Together pic.twitter.com/qrjYMEruEe
— Marshall Women’s Basketball (@HerdWBB) November 10, 2021
Cameron wrestler Ian Bush joins WVU
Following an unbeaten junior season for the Dragons, Bush inked with West Virginia.
He won the Class AA/A 182-pound state championship last season with a record of 27-0, which included 26 pins.
Bush has compiled a career record of 107-10 at CHS and appeared in state championship matches each of his three seasons
“We always want to keep the best kids in West Virginia home and certainly I think he is one of, if not the best kid in the state,” WVU wrestling coach Tim Flynn said.
Keeping the best in the state at home.
✅ West Virginia state champion
✅ 27-0 record last year with 26 pins
✅ NHSCA All-American pic.twitter.com/2aOwjOdWtY— WVU Wrestling (@WVUWrestling) November 10, 2021
Oak Glen pitcher Maddie McKay makes it official with Toledo
The Golden Rockets add McKay, who had Oak Glen on the brink of a Class AA softball title last season, before the Golden Bears settled for a runner-up finish.
A first-team all-state honoree, McKay had an 18-0 pitching record with 203 strikeouts through sectional play.
She was also a force at the plate, evidenced by a .522 batting average, six home runs and 33 RBIs.
Please welcome our third signee & newest Rocket all the way from West Virginia??? #GoRockets
? Madison McKay | Chester, WV | Pitcher pic.twitter.com/n7X9liQDgF— Toledo Softball (@ToledoSoftball) November 10, 2021
Nitro’s Lena Elkins joins Charlotte softball program
A Class AA first-team all-state selection in both 2019 and 2021, Elkins has displayed an abundance of versatility during a standout career with the Wildcats.
Last season, she posted a 10-3 pitching record with a 0.69 earned-run average and 136 strikeouts. Her bat was also a factor as Elkins hit .557 with six home runs and 23 RBIs.
Before most of her softball success as a junior, Elkins also played an integral role on the Wildcats’ Class AAA champion basketball team.
Liberty Harrison’s Emma Kyle signs for softball with RMU
A Class AA first-team all-state catcher last season, Kyle will join the Robert Morris program.
During her junior season with the Mountaineers, Kyle belted 15 home runs and 15 doubles. She also drove in 54 runs.
Hurricane’s AJ Meeks signs with Purdue softball
.@AJMeeks_2022 is officially a Boilermaker! ?
✍️ Alivia Meeks
? Hurricane, W. Va.
? SS/UT
? IG: alivia.meeks pic.twitter.com/JmW3QINmr1— Purdue Softball (@PurdueSoftball) November 11, 2021
Shady Spring pitcher Paige Maynard signs with Penn State
?????? ✍️
So excited to welcome pitcher @PaigeMaynard99 to Happy Valley!#WeAre | #PSUSigningDay pic.twitter.com/rpka6U9MNx
— Penn State Softball (@PennStateSB) November 11, 2021
Buffalo’s Abby Darnley to play softball at Marshall
Darnley was a Class A first-team all-stat pick as a freshman in 2019, then earned captain honors of the squad last season.
As a junior, the Bison catcher produced hits in two of three at-bats to finish with a .661 average, while belting four home runs and stealing 39 bases.
She helped a young Buffalo softball team overcome early growing pains last season and was also an all-state honorable mention pick in basketball.