WHEELING – It’s a cliche that is often-used in athletics – unfinished business.

However, that is exactly what the Wheeling Park girls’ basketball team plans on taking care of during the 2023-24 season.

The Patriots, who sat atop the W.Va. Class 4A standings for most of the 2022-23 season, had a fine 25-3 record, but two of the losses came at the hands of rival Morgantown, including a 54-50 reversal to the Mohigans in the state championship game in Charleston. The Ohio County squad also fell in the OVAC Class 5A finals at Harrison Central to the Monongalia Countians.

Wheeling Park did, however, defeat Morgantown three times last year. The third loss came at University early in the season.

“As tough as last year was, I think it’s important to finally have that feeling that hopefully we can take that final step. We’ve had teams that could contend for the last few years, but last year was the closest we’ve ever gotten,” head coach Ryan Young said.

“We feel really confident in the girls that we have back. They have a bad taste in their mouth, so they want to go out and prove themselves. The only positive that you can take away from last year is, maybe it will be enough to motivate us this year.”

The talent is surely there as reigning W.Va. Gatorade Player of the Year and first team all-state selection Alexis Bordas (5-8) headlines a group of six returning letterwinners. Bordas has started for two years and averaged just under 21 points last winter while surpassing the 1,000-point mark. Bordas also averaged 4.9 rebounds, four steals and 3.1 made three-point shots per outing.

“I think Alexis has done just about everything from an individual aspect. She’s been the W.Va. Gatorade Player of the Year. She’s been first-team all-state twice. She’s been an all-state captain, but she and I have talked,” Young continued. “The team goal is really the one thing she hasn’t accomplished yet and she is very, very motivated to help get us over the hump and finish.”

Bordas has received a ton of college offers, both NCAA Division I and II.

Also returning are classmate Lala Woods (5-6) who has also started since her freshman campaign. She was also a first-team all-stater a year ago when she scored at a 15.2 clip and charted four rebounds, 3.6 assists and 3.1 steals.

“She had a fantastic year last season. She was also first team all-state. When you have two players like that that are so skilled, it makes us better.”

She has been drawing some NCAA Division I offers.

Other returnees are seniors Natalie Daugherty (5-6), Jillian Huffman (5-11) and Merritt Delk (5-11), along with sophomore Seneca Heller (5-6). Daugherty, a 2-year letterwinner, averaged a little more than 10 points a game last season..

“Natalie brings a lot of hustle on both ends of the floor. Her shot is looking good and she has really picked it up on the defensive end,” Young said. “She’s our stopper.

“Jillian is coming off a strong season in volleyball and has been working really hard. She’s being more aggressive on the boards and running the floor really well. She’s an athlete. She’s a worker and a pleasure to be around.”

Huffman, who is headed to West Liberty to play volleyball, averaged 5.1 points and 3.7 rebounds a year ago.

“Merritt brings a lot of energy and athleticism to the table every night,” Young said. “She’s a pleasure to be around, as well.”

Delk, who is headed to NCAA Division I University of Toledo on a soccer scholarship, scored 3.8 points and averaged 4.4 rebounds.

“Seneca has looked really good in practice. She is letting the game come to her and slowing down a little,” Young continued. “She makes everybody else better and that’s a real compliment.”

Heller averaged 4.1 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists and two steals a game.

Wheeling Park does have five players back that started at some point last year.

“This is probably the most experienced group of juniors and seniors that we’ve had. Even last year when we were more experienced than the last before, we haven’t had this much playing time at the varsity level for a group of kids,” Young noted.

“I think that is one of the things that Morgantown had last year, and used to its advantage. Maybe we can use it for ours this year.”

The lone graduation loss was Sophie Abraham who is a member of the West Liberty women’s team this season.

“We might not have a lot of kids that are going to play college basketball, we’ve got a few, but we’ve got some others that will play at that level in other sports,” Young noted. “The athletes are there. The talent is there. Now it’s all about getting everyone on the same page and picking up where we left off.”

Rounding out the roster are senior Ryleigh Hicks (5-6); juniors Kaylee Hunt (5-7), Maggie Hupp (5-6) and Allena Dalton (5-6); sophomore Hailey Downer (5-11); and freshman Karringtyn Miller (5-8).

“Ryleigh is another energy kid that plays hard,” Young stressed. “She had some health issues last year, we’re excited that she is back in form.

“Kaylee, Maggie and Allena are all ticketed for JV duty,” Young assessed. “They are all ready to contribute.

“Hailey is a transfer from Wheeling Central who gives us some more size inside. She’s a strong rebounder,” Young added.

“Karringtyn is an athletic kid. She has a very promising future.”

Wheeling Park has several new faces on its schedule.

“We open up with South Fayette, Pa., which is a WPIAL power. They have several kids back. That will be a tough opener for us,” Young noted.

“We also play Norwin, Pa., and Kennedy Catholic, Pa.”

The Patriots will compete in the Deep Creek, Md., Tournament along with Poly Tech, Baltimore, Md., which advanced to the state finals last year; and Woodland Hills, Pa.

“We also play Spring Valley twice and Cameron once.

“I thought it would be nice to play Cameron since they are back-to-back W.Va. Class A state champs and have everyone back. Myself and (Cameron head coach) Holly (Pettit) have a great relationship,” Young pointed out. “She’s not afraid to play anybody and we’re not afraid to play anybody. It’s regular-season basketball and won’t really impact anything for either school.”

The game has been moved to Jan. 26 for local television.

“Also, our Sam Andy Classic game with John Marshall (Dec. 8) will be televised,” Young added. “We’ve been very, very fortunate that we’ve had great support from people around the Ohio Valley. It is a fun group to watch and I hope it continues this year.”

Young knows his Patriots could have a tough road.

“It will be a big challenge. Morgantown might even be better with the addition of (Camden) Kellogg,” Young noted. “She is a very talented freshman and the daughter of WVU women’s basketball coach Mark Kellogg.”

Young also said George Washington, Spring Valley, University, Parkersburg and Parkersburg South are all good enough to win the state.

“There are 6-7 teams that all have a chance.”

Young is once again assisted by Kevin Heller (varsity assistant, 3rd year). Lucy Milton (varsity assistant, head JV coach, 7th year) and Monica Bragg (played at Weirton Madonna and West Liberty, 1st year).