SHENANDOAH JUNCTION — Even though he didn’t pitch in Jefferson High School’s season-closing Regional games against Hedgesville High School, the West Virginia Sports Writers Association has selected the Cougars’ Jett Gross (eight wins, no losses this season) to its 16-player All-State first team.

Gross was joined on the selected team by pitchers Slade Barton, of George Washington High School, and sophomore Maddex Boggs, of Morgantown High School.

The writers also selected catchers Corbin Dixon, of George Washington High School, and a sophomore, Bryson McNew, of Preston County High School.

The five infielders tabbed by the writers were Jon Fala of George Washington High School, Owen Grose of Oak Hill High School, Bryson Shirkey of state champion Hurricane High School, Brody Spencer of Spring Valley High School and Vinny Aloi of Morgantown High School.

The four first-team outfielders are Mason Bowers of Morgantown, Landon Nida of Cabell Midland, Carter McLain of Parkersburg South and Maddex Sims of Woodrow Wilson of Beckley.

The writers also named two utility players in Weston Smith of Hurricane, who helped the Redskins to their state championship with his pitching in the four-team state tournament, and Garrett Wagoner of Spring Valley.

George Washington and Morgantown each had three players named to the first team, as opposed to state champion Hurricane, which had two players placed on the first-team. Spring Valley also had two players selected by the writers.

In an unusual move, three sophomores were given first-team labels.

Schools reaching the Class AAAA state tournament in Charleston were Hurricane, Morgantown, George Washington and Hedgesville.

Jefferson’s catcher Cole Smith and infielder Braeton Oviedo were placed on the writer’s All-State second team.

The four schools winning state championships this spring were Hurricane (AAAA), Ripley (AAA), Wheeling Central Catholic (AA) and East Hardy (A). East Hardy carried a record of 12-15 into the state tournament. When it won both its games at the Charleston-based tournament, it had completed its season with a 14-15 overall record . . . and a state championship.