Prep girls basketball Class AAA final: Seniors pioneered success at Wayne

At that time, no Wayne County team had hoisted a state title trophy since 1993, when Buffalo beat Tucker County, 50-49.

It's truly been a magical season for Williamson and the Pioneers, with six seniors on this year's roster, including four in the starting lineup.

Wayne finally captured that elusive title on Saturday by taking down the defending Class AAA champion Nitro, 56-39, inside the Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center.

This year's Wayne senior class was comprised of Brooke Adkins, Addie Adkins, Mikayla Stacy, Kiya Brown, Kinley Runyon and Braylee Ramey.

The state title victory meant a little more for members of the Pioneers team.

"We lost one of our best friends, Gavin Carico, last year and one of our teammates lost her little brother this year too," Wayne forward Addie Adkins said. "Playing for them is why we do it. We love our team and community. We back each other up no matter what. This is what it's all about."

Wayne's Class of 2025 went 86-15 in their careers, with three state tournament appearances and now a championship.

The waning moments of Saturday's title game and the game in sole possession of Wayne provided a lasting memory for the Adkins sisters, who are triplets along with brother Cooper.

Addie was waiting for her sister on the sideline while Brooke walked off the floor one last time.

They will be going down separate paths for college athletics. Addie will be playing volleyball at Concord University, while Brooke will play basketball at Youngstown State.

"It just means more, playing basketball and volleyball with her and growing up together," Addie said. "It's so special. We have a bond like no other. We fight like crazy. There's no one I love more than her. I'll back her up anytime that she needs it. I'm so proud of her."

Brooke didn't mince words for playing with her sister.

"It's going to be weird that this is our last game ever together," Brooke said. "We ended it on a good note. We've worked for it our whole life. We've played basketball for years."

Stacy transferred to Wayne in eighth grade, she said, and stuck around ever since.

She capped off her state tournament performance with a seven-point outing on Saturday. Stacy finished the tournament averaging 12 points.

"I didn't want to do it with anybody else other than them," Stacy said. "That's what I came here for. ... I feel as if I've worked my butt off for this moment."

One of the standout younger players for Wayne is sophomore Jayce Sammons.

Sammons finished her 2025 tournament run averaging 20 points per game, including an impressive 22-point performance in the title game.

She shot 5 of 10 from the floor and 2 of 5 from long distance.

Sammons was taken under the wings of the upperclassmen, and she said that she's been appreciative of that these last two years.

"Their leadership goes without recognition," Sammons said. "They've made me a better player, but they've pushed me to be a better person."