The St. Marys Blue Devils opened the 2026 WVSSAC Girls Basketball State Tournament with a dominant performance, defeating Pocahontas County 65–28 in the Class A quarterfinals at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center.
St. Marys seized control early, jumping out to a quick 6–0 lead behind a three-pointer from standout junior Brynn Bullock. The Blue Devils’ defense set the tone throughout the first quarter, holding Pocahontas County to just four points while building a commanding 23–4 lead by the end of the period. Laney Watkins fueled the early surge with a personal scoring run between the first and second quarters, helping St. Marys extend its advantage.

Watkins delivered a huge performance for the Blue Devils, finishing with a game-high 29 points and nine rebounds, including 20 points in the first half. Bullock added 22 points, while Anna Bennett dominated the glass with 11 rebounds in the first half. The balanced St. Marys lineup continued to produce throughout the second quarter, scoring the first 16 points of the period to take a commanding 44–8 halftime lead.

Pocahontas County found more rhythm offensively in the second half. Allyson Taylor led the Warriors with 11 points, while Alex Arbogast added a strong drive to the basket early in the third quarter. However, St. Marys’ defensive pressure and efficient offense proved too much to overcome.

With the victory, St. Marys advances to the Class A semifinals, where the Blue Devils will face the winner of Tug Valley vs. Greater Beckley Christian as the quest for a WVSSAC state championship continues in Charleston.

Final Score:
St. Marys 65, Pocahontas County 28

Key Performers:
Laney Watkins – 29 points, 9 rebounds
Brynn Bullock – 22 points
Anna Bennett – 11 first-half rebounds
Allyson Taylor (Pocahontas County) – 11 points

Stay tuned for continued coverage of the WVSSAC Girls High School Basketball State Tournament

Teams Featured:
St. Marys | Pocahontas County