CHARLESTON -- Superstars aren't made overnight, but when Nitro's Jeffrey "Chase" Pickering was toiling at the bottom of the lineup as a ninth-grader, there was the idea that batting wasn't going to be his strong suit.

The year was 2005 when the Wildcats were trying to gain an identity while still searching for their first state tournament appearance under fourth-year coach Steve Pritchard.

Four years later and Pickering is the center of attention for the Class AAA state champion Wildcats -- being named the State Player of the Year as chosen by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association.

While Pickering won the award by a landslide of votes from a statewide WVSWA committee, other players considered for the award were Brandon King of Martinsburg, Cory Willard of Wyoming East, Jason Lewis of Buffalo and Brandon Campbell of Jefferson.

Pickering, a 6-foot-3, 190-pound left-hander, was the centerpiece of the Wildcats' run to the 2008 championship as a leadoff hitter, center fielder and the ace of the pitching staff.

Talk about a turnaround, even if Pickering thinks nothing of the individual accolades compared to team success.

"Us winning the state championship means the most," said Pickering, who was selected in the June 6 Major League Draft by the Minnesota Twins in the 43rd round (1,296th overall). "It feels great, but I would rather win the state championship and no individual awards than not win the state championship and win all the individual awards."

As a senior, Pickering batted .448 with 12 doubles, a career-high 10 home runs, 48 RBIs and 34 stolen bases. He also had three triples.

In his junior season during which Pickering was a finalist for State Player of the Year, he batted .514 with 20 doubles, 46 stolen bases and 28 RBIs.

He didn't bat as a freshman and was the team's No. 9 hitter during his sophomore year.

"It seemed like I focused more on pitching then," Pickering said. "When we would take batting practice, I would just throw."

The West Virginia University signee developed into a hitter, adding power to his repertoire. He even hit four home runs in five games in American League games last week.

"I was surprised," Pickering said. "I took a week off, then hit a home run on the first strike that was pitched to me. "I think I'm still a line drive and ground ball hitter. I don't think I'm a power hitter."

As a pitcher, Pickering began his superb career as a freshman and improved every year, culminating his stint with a five-inning, shutout performance against Martinsburg in the Class AAA state semifinals.

This season, Pickering had an 11-1 record, losing only to Conway (S.C.), which finished the season 27-4 and lost in the South Carolina Class AAAA championship.

In four years, Pickering had a 22-6 record with 400 strikeouts and a 2.36 earned run average in 222 innings.

He's still unsure of his future, whether or not he'll sign with the Twins or head to WVU.

As a 43rd round pick, Pickering is leaning toward college.

"The guy (with the Twins) talked to me and told me the round didn't mean much," Pickering said. "If it doesn't mean that much, then they would've taken me higher."

Pickering said WVU will allow him to bat and pitch and that he's 80- or 70- percent sure he's going to school.

Pickering is the fifth player from the Mountain State Athletic Conference in the last seven years to win the Player of the Year Award. He's also the fifth player from the Kanawha Valley in the last six years to win it.