The West Virginia Thunder girls’ basketball team won the 2027 AAU national championship on July 5 in Orlando, Fla. They played teams from all over the country including Georgia, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Kentucky and Michigan. The team finished the tournament unbeaten. They beat Atlanta 38-35 in OT, Indiana 41-29, Louisiana 40-4 and Oklahoma 33-22 in pool play and then beat Greenville (NC) Lady Lynx 43-9, Northern Kentucky Tarheels 39-20, Cincy Lady Future 43-32 and Michigan Headlines 39-24 in the championship game. Consisting of players from around the Tri-State, team members are: front row left to right, Rayanna Breckenridge, jeriyah Pryor, Mia Adkins, Jayce Simmons and Mollie Scites; second row left to right, coach Chris Staten, Mariah Johnson, Raelyn Trent, Hayven Carter, Niomi Coats, Carley Boyd and coach Bruce Morrison. (Photo Submitted)