WVU Commits Lead Bella Vista to High School National Championship

Future Mountaineers Miles Sadler and Aliou Dioum shine in national semifinal victory

Apr. 3, 2026 at 10:49pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting a high school basketball game, with the players and court broken down into sharp, geometric shapes and planes of vibrant colors, capturing the energy and movement of the game.The future of West Virginia basketball on full display as Sadler and Dioum lead their high school team to the national championship game.Morgantown Today

West Virginia commits Miles Sadler and Aliou Dioum are headed to the high school national championship game after leading Bella Vista to an 81-62 win over Dynamic Prep in the semifinals. Sadler, a five-star point guard, put up a dominant stat line of 21 points, 10 assists, and 7 rebounds, while Dioum provided the frontcourt presence that has been missing for the Mountaineers. The duo will now face off against powerhouse Monteverde in the national title game, which tips off at noon on ESPN.

Why it matters

The performances of Sadler and Dioum in the national semifinal showcase the high-level talent that West Virginia is bringing in, providing a glimpse of the Mountaineers' promising future. Sadler's ability to control the game and make his teammates better is exactly what WVU needs at the point guard position, while Dioum's physicality and toughness in the frontcourt complement Sadler's skill set.

The details

In the national semifinal, Sadler dominated from start to finish, posting a near triple-double with 21 points, 10 assists, and 7 rebounds. Dioum, meanwhile, provided the grit and toughness in the frontcourt that has been lacking for West Virginia, setting the tone with his physicality and defense. The duo's complementary skill sets led Bella Vista to a convincing 81-62 victory over Dynamic Prep, earning them a spot in the national championship game against powerhouse Monteverde.

  • The national semifinal game was played on April 3, 2026.
  • The national championship game between Bella Vista and Monteverde will tip off at noon on ESPN on April 4, 2026.

The players

Miles Sadler

A five-star point guard and West Virginia commit, Sadler led Bella Vista to the national championship game with a dominant performance in the semifinal, recording 21 points, 10 assists, and 7 rebounds.

Aliou Dioum

A West Virginia commit, Dioum provided the physical presence and toughness in the frontcourt that has been missing for the Mountaineers, setting the tone with his defense and rebounding in Bella Vista's semifinal victory.

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What they’re saying

“This is exactly why Sadler is such a big time get for West Virginia. He doesn't just score. He runs everything. He controls pace, gets guys in the right spots, and makes everyone around him better. A near triple double in a national semifinal tells you everything you need to know.”

— Brad Smith, Author

“And then there's Aliou Dioum. He's not always going to fill up the box score the same way, but he impacts winning. Size, physicality, toughness... the kind of frontcourt presence WVU has been missing. You put him next to a guard like Sadler and it just fits.”

— Brad Smith, Author

What’s next

The national championship game between Bella Vista and Monteverde will tip off at noon on ESPN on April 4, 2026, giving West Virginia fans a chance to see their future stars in action on the biggest stage.

The takeaway

The performances of Miles Sadler and Aliou Dioum in the high school national semifinal showcase the high-level talent that West Virginia is bringing in, providing a glimpse of the Mountaineers' promising future. Sadler's ability to control the game and make his teammates better is exactly what WVU needs at the point guard position, while Dioum's physicality and toughness in the frontcourt complement Sadler's skill set, giving the Mountaineers a formidable duo to build around.