The final week of high school basketball in 2021 saw Greater Beckley Christian pick up two big wins in the Little General Battle for the Armory.
The Class A Crusaders knocked off Class AAA Elkins. 81-68 in the opening round before defeating Class AAAA Princeton, 81-74 in the championship game of the Pepsi Division.
A key contributor in both wins was senior guard Kaden Smallwood.
Smallwood scored 23 points in the opening round game before pouring in 31 points the next day to help Greater Beckley erase an eight-point halftime deficit in the win over Princeton.
For his efforts, Smallwood was named the Lootpress Player of the Week for the fourth week of the high school basketball season.
The Lootpress Player of the Week Award is, sponsored by Bodyworks and The Law Offices of Brandon Steele.
“It really means a lot. There are some very good players that were nominated for Player of the Week,” Smallwood said. “Anyone on the list could have easily won the award. I feel blessed to actually win it.”
Smallwood has played varsity for the Crusaders all four seasons, but knew as a senior this year he would have to take his game to a different level if his team was to be successful.
“I was in the gym and prepared all summer for this season. I did two-a-day workouts and sometimes three,” Smallwood said. “I think the difference for me is that I have been able to get my confidence to a different level this year. That has helped me a lot.”
Greater Beckley is now 8-1 on the season and is scheduled to play Class AAA defending state champion Shady Spring Thursday.
The remaining nominees for Week 4 were Cole Chapman from Shady Spring, Tanner Whitten from Wyoming East, Shad Sauvage from James Monroe and Kris Joyce from Princeton.
