One of the state’s two remaining undefeated teams, Webster County scored on a Drew Holcomb basket with 6:02 left and didn’t surrender the lead again in a 45-42 win. The victory puts the Highlanders (27-0) in the state title game at noon Saturday against No. 6 Parkersburg Catholic at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center.

“It’s a tough one to sit here and talk about,” Trinity coach John Fowkes said. “In the first half we controlled the ballgame, getting everything we wanted. The only thing we talked about at halftime was them outrebounded us. What’s where they got us, was on the boards.”

Since state tournament teams started being seeded in 2005, no undefeated team had played in the final. In fact, only one – the 2007 Gilbert Lions – came into the state tournament with an unblemished record at 25-0 but were upset by Bishop Donahue in the semifinals.

Webster’s backs were against the wall vs. the Warriors (21-6), whose lead was seven points early in the third quarter. The Highlanders went on a 10-3 run to set up a harrowing final quarter.

There was just one lead change in the fourth when a Holcomb basket at 6:02 gave Webster a 38-36 advantage. Webster pushed the advantage to 43-38 with 55 seconds left on two Cole Taylor free throws.

Joel Robertson answered with a 3-pointer with 45 seconds left, and Trinity got the ball back with an opportunity to tie the score. A designed play for forward Daniel Woods saw him get fouled. Woods made one of two foul shots and Tyler Gray hit a pair of foul shots with 19 seconds left.

Taylor had 20 points and 12 rebounds to lead Webster while also neutralizing Trinity’s Woods. Woods, who had 13 rebounds in a quarterfinal victory over Greenbrier West, managed only three to go with his 11 points.

Dorian Groggs had 12 points for Webster and Drew Holcomb added 12 rebounds.

Robertson had 16 points to lead Trinity, while Briston Bennett added 12 and Woods 11.

Webster continued to dominate the boards, outrebounding Trinity 37-25.

“We’ve been on the boards all year,” Gray said. “We hang around the rim, we’re active, and we control the boards. We rely on our defense and control the boards.”

Fairmont Senior Returns to Championship Game

By RICH STEVENS

CHARLESTON – Second-seeded Fairmont Senior appears destined to reclaim the Class AA state championship.

The Polar Bears (26-1) held Bluefield to 2-of-23 shooting and just seven points in the first half en route to rolling the Beavers — in the semifinals at the West Virginia State High School Boys Basketball Tournament on Friday at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center.

The Beavers (21-3) received a 3-pointer from Braden Crews for their first points 1:27 into the game. Their next bucket was a Mark Glenn foul shot with three minutes left in the first. A Kaulin Parris 3-pointer put Bluefield at seven points with 5:41 left in the second. All told, Bluefield went scoreless for 9 minutes, 26 seconds between the second and the third quarter.

“We lost to a great high school basketball team,” Bluefield coach Buster Large said. “I’ve seen Fairmont before, I don’t think I’ve ever seen them this talented.”

Fairmont Senior advances to the state title game for the fifth consecutive year where it will face the winner of Friday’s 7:15 p.m. semifinal game between Chapmanville and Robert C. Byrd. The Polar Bears lost to Chapmanville 69-60 in the 2018 title game after defeating the Tigers 59-54 in 2017.

Despite Bluefield’s low point total, it did not come close to the tournament record. The mark for lowest points by a losing team is owned by Tyler County, which dropped a 14-3 decision to Keyser in 1923. However, it is the fewest points scored in a double-A semifinal game since the tournament began seeding teams in 2005. Ravenswood handed Oak Hill a 40-38 defeat in overtime in the 2009 semis.

“Our defense was outstanding,” Fairmont Senior coach Dave Retton said. “The effort that our guys gave, our team, was off the charts today.”

The Beavers’ previous lowest single-game point total of the season was 44 in a one-point win over Shady Spring.

After scoring 13 points during the game’s first 25:19, the Beavers scored 19 during the final 6:34.

It was 46-13 with 6:41 remaining and both teams cleared their benches around the 4-minute mark.

“That, without a doubt, is the best team I’ve seen this year,” Large said of Fairmont Senior.

Parkersburg Catholic Advance to Finals

By RICH STEVENS

CHARLESTON – Wheeling Central’s man-to-man didn’t include much help or rotation in the first half.

When the second-seeded Maroon Knights finally started to figure out their defensive problems, the Crusaders’ dribble drives went from shot attempts to passes to the open man.

Wheeling Central was out of adjustments.

Senior Cade Ullman scored 27 points and Wheeling Central had to play catch up from the 6:38 mark of the second quarter as No. 6 Parkersburg Catholic advanced to the Class A state championship game with a 61-50 victory over the defending champions at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center on Friday.

The Crusaders (19-7) will play for the title at noon on Saturday against the winner of Friday’s semifinal between undefeated No. 1 Webster County and No. 5 Trinity. Catholic last played in the championship in 2010, defeating Charleston Catholic 56-45.

“It’s tough when they get kids that if you help off they can hurt you too,” Wheeling Central coach Mel Stephens said. “We rotated, but we didn’t rotate off the helper. They made good plays. They either got to the rim or dished to the open guy. That was basically the deciding factor today.”

Ullman had plenty of help in avenging a 75-65 loss to Wheeling Central on Jan. 19.

Jeb Boice had 18 points, four rebounds, four assists, and four steals, and Ty Sturm and Patrick Copen finished with seven points apiece for the Crusaders.

Wheeling Central post player Anthony Robbins finished with just two points – 10 fewer than his season average — before fouling out with 3:59 left.

“Our attention to detail today was perfect,” Parkersburg Catholic coach Rob Strcula said. “These guys really executed well at both ends of the floor.”

Wheeling Central was led by Jalen Creighton with 16 points, while Bray Price had 13 points and seven rebounds.

This marks the first time since the state tournament began seeding in 2005 that a Class A No. 6 seed has advanced to the championship game.

Quarterfinal Game Summaries

Fairmont Senior Powers By Lewis County

By RICH STEVENS

CHARLESTON – The early-game score was innocent enough.

Second-seeded Fairmont Senior possessed a modest 7-6 lead three minutes into the game against the outmanned Minutemen.

Then everything came unglued for Lewis.

Fairmont Senior went on a 30-1 run between the 3:57 mark of the first and 4:39 of the second and didn’t look back in a 92-35 rout in the quarterfinal round of the West Virginia State High School Boys Basketball Tournament on Thursday at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center.

The Polar Bears (25-1), whose only loss this season was a three-point defeat to defending Class AA champion Chapmanville, will face Bluefield in the 11:15 a.m. semifinals on Friday.

Virtually every statistics was leaning heavily in favor of Fairmont Senior, although the Polar Bears had 16 turnovers to only nine for Lewis.

Coach Dave Retton’s team more than doubled Lewis’ rebounds (43-21), more than tripled their assists (22-6), and more than quadrupled their 3-pointers (9-2).

“We got off to a slow start,” said Retton, whose team will try to regain the Class AA title, which it won in 2017 and 2018. “I think the nerves were high. I was nervous and I shared that with them before the game. I think there would be something wrong if they weren’t nervous.”

Fairmont Senior had 11 players participate at least six minutes each. Trey Washenitz played just 15 minutes, but had a team-high eight rebounds.

Dasilas Jones, one of four seniors for the Polar Bears, led the winners with 18 points. Sophomore Jaelin Johnson had 16, and seniors Jalen Bridges and Zyon Dobbs had 15 and 14 points respectively.

Fairmont Senior’s margin of victory (57 points) was seven points short of the tournament record held by Huntington in 2007. That year, behind O.J. Mayo and Patrick Patterson, Huntington defeated then-Class AAA Fairmont Senior 103-39.

Luke White scored Lewis County’s first 10 points as the only Minutemen player to dent the scoring column until Shawn Moran hit a basket in the paint with 1:52 left in the first half.

Fairmont Senior’s meeting with Bluefield will be a rematch of their 2016 quarterfinal game won by Fairmont Senior, 63-50. The Polar Bears went on to win the first of two straight Class AA titles that year.

The two teams played for the 2013 championship in a game won by Bluefield 63-43.

Capital Rallies Past Morgantown

By RICH STEVENS

CHARLESTON – Covante Duncan hit two foul shots with 2.6 seconds left as Class AAA No. 4 seed Capital held on for a 50-47 victory over fifth-seeded Morgantown in the West Virginia Boys State High School Basketball Tournament on Thursday.

Capital advances to the Class AAA semifinals at 5:30 p.m. Friday against Martinsburg.

The Mohigans (16-10), who were eliminated by Capital by two points in the 2017 semifinals, had the ball with 17 seconds left and a one-point deficit. Morgantown’s Cam Selders found Garrett Haines with a skip pass and a three-point attempt that rimmed out and into the hands of Duncan.

“I was just thinking that I have to make these free throws,” Duncan said.

Haines hit a pair of foul shots with 36.6 seconds left to give Morgantown a one-point lead shortly after Capital’s Kerion Martin missed the front end of a one-and-one.

On Capital’s next possession, Martin drove the lane against an extended 2-3 and laid it in for a 48-47 Cougar lead with 24.4 seconds remaining. Morgantown called a timeout with 17 seconds left to set up a potential game winner.

“This one stings,” said Morgantown coach Dave Tallman, whose 2016 team went undefeated and won the Class AAA state title. “Our keys for the game were to handle their pressure, which is tough because we don’t have a point guard on this team. I thought we were boxing out tonight, but they were getting rebounds over us somehow. It’s hard when people have their hands all over you.”

Duncan had a team-high 17 points and K.J. Figures added 14 for Capital. Haines’ 15 points led Morgantown. He also had six rebounds, while Selders had 12 points and seven rebounds.

Bluefield Bests Poca

By RICH STEVENS

CHARLESTON – The Poca Dots upset their way into the 2019 West Virginia Boys State High School Basketball Tournament.

They couldn’t upset their way into the semifinals.

Bluefield scored first and never lost the lead in a 57-47 victory in the Class AA quarterfinals Thursday at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center.

“We obviously had to get off to a quick start,” Bluefield coach Buster Large said. “With our type of tempo and the way we run, we have to block out and limit teams to one shot.”

Poca (19-7) had 15 turnovers, and Bluefield scored 17 points off those miscues. The Beavers (21-2) also had 15 offensive rebounds, compared to four for the Dots.

Braden Crews finished with 20 points, four assists, and three steals. Sean Martin, the grandson of former Northfork star David “Duck” Riley, had 10 points and nine rebounds.

“Bluefield was everything we thought they would be,” Poca coach Allen Osborne said. “They turned us over, got points off the turnovers and hurt us on the boards, especially in the first half.”

Bluefield outrebounded Poca 31-23 and had six more second chance points and nine more points off turnovers than the Dots.

Isaac McKneely had 13 points to lead Poca, while Evan McKneely and Bronson Skeens had 12 apiece.

Kaulin Parris had 10 points for Bluefield.

Wheeling Central Rolls On

By RICH STEVENS

CHARLESTON – Anthony Robbins scored 14 points and added eight rebounds, four steals, and four assists to lead Class A No. 2 seeded Wheeling Central to a 60-35 victory over No. 7 Williamstown in the quarterfinals of the West Virginia High School State Boys Basketball Tournament on Wednesday.

The victory sends the Maroon Knights (21-4) to the semifinals at 9:30 a.m. on Friday against No. 6 Parkersburg Catholic.

Wheeling Central broke away from a close game, turning a 23-18 lead into a 35-23 advantage with 1:05 left in the third.

“I thought we were really doing a good job trying to be deliberate,” Williamstown coach Scott Sauro said. “The first time we played them we were down by 30 at halftime. We missed a few bunnies in the first half, in a game like this against an opponent like that, you have to make those.”

Ryan Reasbeck, the son of former Wheeling Central and Marist College standout Bobby Reasbeck, had 13 points and Jalen Creighton 10 for the Maroon Knights.

The 35 points was the second-lowest output this year for the Yellow Jackets (19-7), who dropped a 28-27 decision to Parkersburg Catholic in the sectional championship.

“I think we did a much better job in the second quarter and on … until you get up 10 or so, you never know,” Wheeling Central coach Mel Stephens said. “I don’t think we did a very good job of controlling the dribbler in the first quarter.”

University Rolls by Musselman

By RICH STEVENS

CHARLESTON – University junior Mike Maumbe had 13 points – seven more than his season average – and added 14 rebounds as the No. 2 seeded Hawks advance to the semifinals of the West Virginia High School Boys Basketball State Tournament for the third consecutive year with a —- victory over no. 7 Musselman (15-10) in Wednesday at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center.

The victory by the Hawks (22-4) prevented the tournament’s second upset in as many games. Class A sixth-seeded Parkersburg Catholic upset No. 3 Notre Dame in the tourney’s first game.

Coach Joe Schmidle’s Hawks advance to the semifinals for the third consecutive year at 9 p.m. on Friday. They will face the winner of Thursday’s 7:15 p.m. Class AAA quarterfinal between No. 3 George Washington and No. 6 Cabell Midland.

“I think Maumbe is capable of doing that,” Musselman coach Derek Basile said. “When he gets around the basket, he does a good job. He had a couple nice putbacks.”

Maumbe was one of two University players to have a double-double with K.J. McClurg finishing with 23 points and 12 rebounds.

“Mike doesn’t realize his potential,” University coach Joe Schmidle said. “He’s one of the most athletic kids I’ve ever seen or coached, for his size. His quickness is unbelievable.”

Musselman’s bench helped keep the Applemen in the game, outscoring University’s reserves 23-2. The Hawks, who averaged around 80 points per game this season, held a significant lead (34-20) at halftime.

“I didn’t think we played one of our better games,” Schmidle said. “I credit that to coach Basile and Musselman being very well prepared for us. I think our kids did a real good job showing some resiliency there.”

Kaden Metheny had 15 points and Rodney Bucklew 10 for the Hawks. Taralle Hayden had 12 pointws and Tre Beard 10 for the Applemen.

Parkersburg Catholic Opens Tourney Victorious

By RICH STEVENS

CHARLESTON – Senior Cade Ullman scored 33 points and Parkersburg Catholic overcame a late rush by Notre Dame to claim a 58-56 victory and advance in the West Virginia High School Boys Basketball Tournament on Wednesday at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center.

The Crusaders (18-7) lost twice to Notre Dame (21-5) this season, including a 76-59 defeat at home on Dec. 11.

“We tell our guys we have to make one more play than the other team,” Catholic coach Rob Strcula said.

Ullman helped the Crusaders avenge those defeats and move his team to the state semifinals at 9:30 a.m. Friday against the winner of Wednesday afternoon’s quarterfinal between No. 2 Wheeling Central and No. 7 Williamstown.

“When you win or lose a game by one or two points, it’s not what happens in the third quarter, it’s what happens in the first or second quarter,” Strcula said.

A West 3-pointer just before the buzzer cut Catholic’s five-point lead.

“The game was a microcosm of our season,” Notre Dame coach Jarrod West said. “The second half we got back to it, but didn’t have enough juice to finish it out.”

Ullman hit 6-of-10 3-pointers and was Catholic’s only starter to play 32 minutes.

“I don’t know how we let Cade get open that many times,” he said.

Notre Dame kept the game close with a 39-29 rebounding advantage.

Jaidyn West, the son of the head coach and younger brother of Marshall University standout Jarrod West, had 24 points to lead the Irish. He had four assists and had five of Notre Dame’s eight 3-pointers.

—

2018 TOURNAMENT ON DEMAND…

QUARTERFINALS

CHAMPIONSHIPS

12 PM Class AA Championship

2:30 PM Class A Championship

7:15 PM Class AAA Championship

2017 Tournament

Wednesday Games

9:30AM Madonna vs. Fayetteville

11:15AM Martinsburg vs. University

1PM St. Joe Central vs. Ravenswood

5:30PM Valley Fayette vs. Wheeling Central

7:15PM Parkersburg South vs. Capital

9PM Gilmer County vs. Notre Dame

Thursday Games

9:30AM Wyoming East vs. Chapmanville

11:15AM GW vs. Morgantown

1PM Lincoln vs. Bluefield

5:30PM Herbert Hoover vs. Fairmont Senior

7:15PM Musselman vs. Huntington

9PM Mingo Central vs. Philip Barbour

Friday Semifinal Games

9:30AM FHS/Madonna vs. SJHS/Rwood

11:15AM CRHS/WEHS vs. LHS/Bfield

1PM VFHS/W Central vs. Gilmer/N.Dame

5:30PM P South/Capital vs. GW/Motown

7:15PM Hoover/FSHS vs. Mingo/P.Barbour

9PM Mburg/University vs. Mussel/Htown

Saturday Finals

12PM Class A Championship (included in NFHS subscription)

2:30PM Class AA Championship (included in NFHS subscription)

7:15PM Class AAA Championship (included in NFHS subscription)

BRACKETS, SCORES, UPDATES & MORE

2017 Tourney Brackets presented by…

Huntington Takes AAA Crown Once Again

By RICH STEVENS

Huntington coach Ron Hess watched Tavian Dunn-Martin graduate and contribute heavily to the University of Akron basketball program after helping the Highlanders win two state championships.

Wondering how his team would respond, he welcomed the return of John Dawson, who won a Class A state title with St. Joseph Central in 2016.

It was back to business as usual for the Highlanders, who turned away Capital in the Class AAA title game on Saturday, claiming a 50-42 victory on Saturday night at the Charleston Civic Center.

The state title was the fourth for Dawson, who won three with Huntington (2014, ’15, ’17) and one with St. Joseph (2016).

“It’s just unreal,” Hess said. “We lost our starters and, not sure of what we had, they believed.

“We talked about it last night after our semifinal win. If want to have a chance we have to take care of the basketball and they did tonight.”

The Highlanders (23-5) had only eight turnovers to 21 for the Cougars (23-5), who seemed to settle for the 3-pointer, going 3-of-17 from long range. The Highlanders were only 1-of-13 from long distance and even lost the rebounding battle by a resounding 45-27 difference.

“(Jadon Hayes) is why we had only eight turnovers,” Hess said. “He has to match up with them speedy wise and he did tonight.”

As a point guard, Hayes had six assists and nine rebounds for the Highlanders. He didn’t attempt a shot, but also had only one turnovers.
Leondre Rogers kept Capital close in the nip-and-tuck affair, finishing with 18 points as the only player on his team to score in double figures. He also was 10-of-10 from the foul line. Anthony Dean, a former George Washington High School standout, finished with nine points and was 5-of-8 from the foul line.

John Dawson, the twin of 2016 girls basketball state player of the year Jordyn Dawson, had 15 points for Huntington. Their brother, Mikal Dawson, led all scorers with 25 points and 10 rebounds for Huntington.

The low-scoring Class AAA affair featured two teams that combined to hit only 4-of-30 attempts from 3-point range.

‘

Notre Dame Rises To the Top of Class A

By RICH STEVENS

Considering the energy with which Notre Dame played at the outset of its State Boys Basketball Tournament semifinal against Wheeling Central, it was surprising the Irish had any left.

They did … and then some.

Coach Jarrod West’s team hit 9-of-14 attempts from 3-point range in the first half, riding that momentum to a 63-55 victory over second-seeded Ravenswood (24-3) in the Class A championship game on Saturday at the Charleston Civic Center.

“What a game,” West said. “That first half was one of the best, if not the best, we played all year. At halftime, all we put on the board was ‘finish.’”

The fifth time proved to be the charm for No. 4 Notre Dame (23-5), which earned a semifinal berth only once in its previous four trips to states:

n 2013 – No. 8 seed, lost to Tug Valley, 87-62, in the quarterfinals

n 2014 – No. 2 seed, lost to Charleston Catholic, 50-38, in the semifinals

n 2015 – No. 6 seed, lost to Magnolia, 49-48, in quarterfinals

n 2016 – No. 4 seed, lost to St. Joseph, 54-50, in quarterfinals

The Irish tried to ice this one early like the semifinal against Wheeling Central, during which they led by eight after the first quarter, 14 at halftime, 16 after three and 22 at the final buzzer.

Notre Dame scored the first 10 points of the game and the first six of the second quarter to lead 30-14. It also had the last five of the half to lead by 22 at the intermission.

Ravenswood had 11 turnovers before halftime, resulting in 22 points for Notre Dame.

“We played pretty quick before, but our problem was we didn’t center ourselves and pass it back,” Ravenswood coach Mick Price said. “We tried to dribble (through) the pressure.

“My fear was being able to handle the pressure. I thought if we could handle the pressure and limit them to one shot, we would be fine, but we were always playing left-handed, because we dug ourselves a hole.”

Ravenswood had only four turnovers in the second half and pulled within seven with 1:28 remaining on a Jayden Rhodes 3-pointer. The Red Devils regained possession and went inside to 6-foot-7 Riley Heatherington, who had the ball stripped by West for one of his four steals.

“You can’t afford to not be a good defensive player, especially at 5-foot-10,” the younger West said. “He was giving us issues. He was in the lane for a long time; I was screaming ‘3 seconds.’ I got my hand on the ball, Jaret (Mullooly) cleared it and he made two free throws.”

Notre Dame outscored its state tournament opponents 58-40 in the first quarter and 109-70 in the first half, getting the most resistance from quarterfinal foe Gilmer County.

Ravenswood, however, was playing in its third straight state tournament and 13^thoverall, while also dropping from Class AA, where it resided since the three-class system was implemented in 1959.

At the Ravenswood helm for all but one of the last 40 years was Price, who coached the Red Devils to double-A titles in 2006 and 2008.

“They adjusted, played a little small and Riley (Heatherington) was a handful,” coach West said. “We made enough shots and enough stops to win a state championship. You have to be gritty and you have to be tough.”

Senior and Marshall University recruit Jarrod West – the son of the Notre Dame head coach — was playing in his seventh state tournament game and the only teammate who was with him all the way was senior Noah Bohanna, who hit all three of his shots and added three rebounds and two steals before fouling out with 1:58 remaining.

West finished with 29 points, six assists and four rebounds. In three games, he had 80 points on 27-of-44 shooting (61.4 percent) with 19 rebounds, 19 assists and 18-of-25 from the foul line.

“He’s good,” Price said emphatically. “He makes everybody else better, he can get to the lane and create, defensively he can get you from behind, tries to get out in front. He’s just a really good athlete and really good player. He’s as good as anybody in any class.”

Ravenswood received 25 points and eight rebounds from Heatherington, who was his team’s only double-figure scorer. Five other Red Devils scored at least five points.

Gabe Zummo had 15 points and four assists for Notre Dame, which owned one state championship – the 1977 Catholic Tournament title in its final year of existence.

“I can’t believe I just played my last high school game,” West II said. “It couldn’t end any better. We were down here three other times and we couldn’t get it done then. The fact that I was able to produce and finish it off … that’s been the goal for I don’t know how many years.”

His father is a native of Mississippi, but played collegiately at West Virginia University and is best known for banking in a last-second 3-pointer to lift the Mountaineers over Cincinnati in the 1998 NCAA Tournament.

“This surpasses the shot I hit in 1998,” coach West said. “To do this with your son is unbelievable.”

Notre Dame Moves Past Wheeling Central

By RICH STEVENS

The scorebook says Notre Dame still leans too much on point guard and Marshall University recruit Jarrod West.

Don’t believe everything you read.

West poured in 35 points and added six rebounds and four assists to lead the fourth-seeded Irish to the second state tournament title game in school history with a 73-51 victory over No. 1 Wheeling Central (24-3).

Notre Dame (22-5) set a school record for victories in a single season and will face No. 2 Ravenswood at noon Saturday for the tournament championship, marking the first time since 1977 the Irish has reached the final. West came up one point shy of his single-game career high in scoring.

“You have to knock the bully out,” Notre Dame coach Jarrod West said of Wheeling Central, which has played in 19 title games as a Class AA and Class A school, winning 12 championships – including nine in single-A. “I have so much respect for that program. We want to get to where they are.”

Notre Dame played in six Catholic Tournament title games (1959, ’61, ’62, ’71, ‘72’ 77), winning the 1977 title in a four-overtime verdict against St. Joseph, 48-45. They were runners-up to Wheeling Central in 1959 and 1962. Wheeling Central was 20-2 in Catholic Tournament finals.

More recently – in 2010 during West’s sixth year as Notre Dame coach – the Irish dropped a 59-52 state tournament quarterfinal round decision to the Maroon Knights.

The younger West was in the fourth grade.

“I think I got it going a lot earlier in the game (compared to the first two meetings),” said the point guard, who had 13 points in the first quarter. “We set the tone defensively. We were able to get clean rebounds and good shots.”

The help came in the form of fast breaks, and while Notre Dame only had a one-point advantage on transition points, it was the ability to finish that set it apart.

“We had a lot of transition opportunities,” West II said. “There’s a lot more space … it wasn’t 5 on 5, but more like 3 on 2 with the opportunities when the floor was spread. These guys did a good job of making layups when I was penetrating.”

The attention given one of the state’s best players – in all classes – provided open looks for sophomore Gabe Zummo and senior Noah Bohanna, who had 14 and 10 points respectively.

Coach West said that Bohanna provided early game successes for his team.

“The stats don’t show it, but the deflections, the steals, the energy … the way Noah Bohanna played the first quarter,” he said. “We kind of got going.”

Notre Dame scored 28 points in the first quarter after the Maroon Knights’ John Burkhalter hit a 3 for a 5-0 Wheeling Central lead. Notre Dame responded with 16 of the game’s next 19 points and didn’t trail again.

“They came out with a lot more energy and a lot more fire and took it to us from the beginning and we couldn’t recover,” Wheeling Central coach Mel Stephens said.

Wheeling Central received 17 points and nine rebounds from Owen Gainer. Brent Price added 13 points and eight boards and Burkhalter finished with 10.

This is the fourth visit and sixth game at the state tournament for West and Bohanna. The Irish lost in the semifinals to Charleston Catholic (50-38) when they were freshmen, before losing to eventual state champions Magnolia (49-48) and St. Joseph (54-50) in 2015 and 2016 respectively.

Bohanna played 20 of a possible 36 minutes in Notre Dame’s quarterfinal win over Tucker in 2014 and West – who averaged 11 points his freshman year — was 5-for-5 from 3-point range and had 28 points in that 63-57 overtime verdict.

Zummo had 14 points and three assists and Bohanna had 10 points and seven rebounds. Jaret Mullooly contributed six rebounds, four assists and three steals and Todd Griffith came off the bench to added a game-high 10 rebounds.

—

Richard L. Stevens Jr.

Ravenswood Advances to Championship Game

By RICH STEVENS

A West Virginia high school basketball program’s move from Class AA to Class A has a catch-22 feel.

Most often the reason is the community is suffering from depletion of jobs and population decline resulting in tumbling enrollment.

While a team’s success would be traded for much-needed employment, often the low numbers help a program compete in the lower group.

Enter Ravenswood, which hopes to match the achievement of Tug Valley – win a state championship in its first season in single-A.

Coach Mick Price’s Red Devils took another step closer to their first small school title in a 41-36 victory over sixth-seeded Madonna (18-9) in the first of two Class A semifinals at the Charleston Civic Center.

Second-seeded Ravenswood (24-2) will face the winner of the Wheeling Central-Notre Dame semifinal at noon on Saturday.

“That was a tremendous game, of course, I don’t like the outcome,” said Madonna coach Chris Blair, a 2003 graduate of the school. “It was well played, hard played, fans got their money’s worth, could’ve been anybody’s game.”

Ravenswood lost the lead for the first time in the second half on a Joe Ewusiak basket with 5:20 remaining, but 8 seconds later Isaiah Morgan hit the first of back-to-back 3-pointers to return the advantage to the Red Devils. Morgan is 63-124 on 3-pointers this season, but is more than a one-trick pony. He also had eight of his team’s 32 rebounds.

“They ran a play that we prepared for, the exchange off the wing, he runs off a double screen and our guy has to jump that pass … should’ve been a steal really,” Blair said.

Madonna never regained the lead, holding the advantage for only 28 seconds.

“We wanted to get out and run on that,” Morgan said. “(Point guard) Hayden (Mandrake) put it right in the pocket. The next play they ran for me and I knocked it down again.”

Ravenswood won the battle in the paint, where it had an obvious mismatch with 6-foot-7 senior Riley Heatherington. The Red Devils outscored Madonna inside 18-8. Heatherington finished with just 12 points, but added nine rebounds and eight blocked shots.

Madonna stayed within striking distance with the help of Ravenswood’s struggles at the foul line, where it was 9-of-19. Jayden Rhodes hit four of his six free throw attempts.

Ewusiak had 15 points and 13 rebounds to lead the way for Madonna, which was seeking its first trip to the finals since winning the championship in 2011. Tavon Jeter had 15 points and eight boards.

Morgan had 14 points and Rhodes 11 for Ravenswood. The Red Devils had just four players – Morgan, Heatherington, Rhodes and Stephen Dawson – score in the game.

The victory improves Price’s career coaching record to 648-295 in 40 years at the helm, which includes one season at now-defunct Sistersville High.

—

Richard L. Stevens Jr.

Fairmont Senior Gets By Upstart Hoover

By RICH STEVENS

Herbert Hoover, the sentimental favorite at the 2017 West Virginia State High School boys basketball tournament, didn’t have enough left in its tank to withstand the athleticism of defending Class AA champion Fairmont Senior.

Nevertheless, the Huskies sure made it interesting.

Coach Josh Daniel’s team didn’t let the Polar Bears run away and hide, but it also didn’t wilt before dropping a 59-39 decision in Thursday’s quarterfinal round game at the Charleston Civic Center.

Fairmont Senior (23-3) – which faces the winner of the game between Philip Barbour and Mingo Central at 7:15 p.m. Friday — averages 76.9 points per game, but didn’t have half that through three quarters, leading 38-31.

“I knew the challenge we had ahead of us,” Hoover coach Josh Daniel said. “The difference in the game was we turned the ball over 22 times and they scored 31 points off them.”

Hoover used a disciplined 3-2 defense to stifle the Fairmont Senior offense, forcing the Polar Bears into impatience, resulting in quick shots.

“We looked at the stats after the game and when you’re 3-of-16 (from 3-point range), we knew we were settling for threes,” Fairmont Senior coach Dave Retton said. “We weren’t getting the type of shots we want. Attack the zone has been one of our strengths all year, but we really didn’t do that tonight.”

The Huskies (13-14) survived games with Roane County, Lewis County, and Robert C. Byrd, winning by a combined 15 points.

The crowning achievement, however, was being among the final eight teams in Class AA, especially with what they had to endure since last summer.

Severe flooding in late June of last year devastated the community surrounding Herbert Hoover High School. The school was deemed a total loss after 7 feet of the Elk River entered the building. The Huskies practiced at the YMCA and played their games at Elkview Middle School until the regional, which was moved to George Washington High School. The middle school wasn’t large enough to accommodate a state tournament play-in game.

Homes were destroyed and families displaced on and around U.S. Route 119, which runs along the Elk River in northern Kanawha County.

Despite the troubling situation, Hoover found a silver lining on the basketball court, winning five consecutive games between Dec. 27 and Jan. 20 and winning four straight before Thursday’s loss.

“The whole community has rallied behind this basketball team,” Daniel said. “Since our sectional game there have been more and more people coming all the time.”

The Huskies couldn’t rally for the upset, leading only once on a Chase King free throw to open the scoring. They trailed 20-10 in the second quarter, cutting the lead to 32-29 with 2:26 left in the third. Fairmont Senior opened a 43-33 advantage at 7:25 of the third. After Hoover scored the next six points, the Polar Bears closed the game on a 16-2 run.

“It’s been that way all year,” Daniel said. “We’ve been in some tough spots and our kids never gave up. The first quarter we realized how the game was going to be played. After the first quarter, it looked like it could get bad.”

Since seeding the state tournament began in 2005, a No. 1 seed has never lost to a No. 8 seed in the Class AA division. In the 13 quarterfinal games involving the highest and lowest seeds, the average margin of victory is 24.5 points. That includes Poca’s 30-28 win over Chapmanville in 2016 during which the Tigers utilized a stall.

Despite the loss, Hoover’s Kody McGraw – who had seven points – managed to maintain perspective.

“It’s been great,” he said of Hoover’s success this season. “The first state tournament in Hoover history … it’s a great feeling, especially this year with losing the school.

King led Hoover with 16 points, 14 rebounds and three blocked shots. Zyon Dobbs led Fairmont Senior with 14 points, Tavon Horton added 13 and Dante Stills 11. Dobbs, Horton, Justin Lee, and Stills combined for 27 of their team’s 36 rebounds.

—

Richard L. Stevens Jr.

Chapmanville Downs Wyoming East in Quarterfinals

By RICH STEVENS

Wyoming East’s rich tradition of success at the boys basketball State High School Tournament was no match for Chapmanville’s depth during Thursday’s Class AA quarterfinal round at the Charleston Civic Center.

Spearheaded by sharp-shooter Drew Williamson, the third-seeded Tigers steamrolled the Warriors in a 65-42 victory, sending coach Brad Napier’s team into the semifinals for the first time in school history.

The Tigers (22-4) move to the state semifinals at 11:15 a.m. on Friday when they will face the winner of the quarterfinal matchup of Bluefield and Lincoln.

“They guarded the ball very well and played aggressive defense,” said first-year Wyoming East coach Derek Brooks. “From what we saw on film, they usually sag on defense.”

The Warriors (15-11), who were making their 10^th appearance in the state tournament since the school opened in 1998, couldn’t recover despite turning a 15-point deficit in the first period into trailing by seven at the half.

Junior Drew Williamson, the son of former Harts and Marshall University star Andy Paul Williamson, finished with a team-high 23 points. Although he was one of only two Chapmanville players in double figures, the Tigers had three players score at least six points.

“We really talked about our defensive intensity,” said Williamson, whose brother Paul Herbert Williamson was an all-state player at Logan. “We wanted to get it back to where it was in the first quarter. We wanted to get out the first three minutes of the third and pretty much end it.”

In turn, the Chapmanville defense improved its offensive output. The Tigers were 3-of-10 from 3-point range in the first half and 3-of-5 in the second. The Tigers also were 13-of-23 overall from the field in the second half.

Senior Corey McKinney averaged 10 points in his final high school season for East, but managed just six on Thursday, hitting only 1-of-7 field goal attempts.

“They guarded me pretty good,” said McKinney, whose team was 6-of-21 from 3-point range. “They know we’re a shooting team. I couldn’t get any open shots.”

Zach Cook had 10 points and 10 rebounds for the Warriors and Dylan Brehm added 10 – five below his season average.

Obinna Anochili-Killen finished with 11 for the Tigers.

n Williamson, a 2016 Class AA All-State first-team member, had 10 points in Chapmanville’s 30-28 quarterfinal loss to Poca last year.

n Napier spent three years as coach at Mingo Central (2012-15) before being hired at Chapmanville. He was 41-32 with the Miners and is 38-15 in his first 53 games with the Tigers.

n Brooks is the son of former Mullens and West Virginia University star Herbie Brooks, who is an assistant for Wyoming East. He said this season was fun for more than just basketball.

“Coaching (with my dad) was great,” Derek Brooks said. “Growing up, he was off doing his thing with basketball, overseas for 6 or 7 years. We did a lot of catching up.”

n Derek Brooks’ father led Mullens to three consecutive Class A state championships (1981-84), playing for five-time state championship coach Don Nuckols, who died on Feb. 16.

—

Richard L. Stevens Jr.

Morgantown Eliminates GW in Quarterfinals

By RICH STEVENS

The Morgantown High School boys basketball team has won at least 20 games each season since Dave Tallman was hired as coach in 2014, and the Mohigans show no signs of slowing.

The fourth-seeded Mohigans took advantage of horrendous first-half shooting by George Washington and held off the Patriots with a 56-45 victory in the Class AAA quarterfinals of the State High School Basketball Tournament at the Charleston Civic Center on Thursday.

Morgantown (20-6) moves to the 5:30 p.m. Friday semifinal against No. 1 seed Capital, where the Mohigans will seek their second consecutive trip to the title game. Morgantown won the 2016 championship while becoming the first team since Stonewall Jackson in 1985 to finish a season undefeated.

“I thought our defense won that game for us,” said Tallman, whose Mohigans (20-6) held the Patriots to 32 percent shooting. “We’re not that pretty on offense and I thought we did a great job on the glass. We turned the ball over way too much.”

The Mohigans had 14 turnovers in the first half, but finished with only 18.

While George Washington (19-7) sought to increase the tempo, coach Rick Greene admitted his team was shooting too early in some possessions.

“We were maybe a little quick, but that’s what we do,” Greene said. “The guys shooting them can make them. We wanted to drive maybe a little more against their zone. Initially, anyway, you hope you make some shots. We wanted to drive a bit more because we weren’t hitting shots.”

The Patriots were 1-of-13 from 3-point range, missing their first 10 tries before Alex Cook ended the drought at the 1:17 mark of the fourth to cut the lead to 48-40.

Greene, in his 24^th season as coach of the Patriots and a member of the first GW team to win a state title (1971), credited Morgantown’s defensive effort, but it came with a caveat.

“I thought they were totally prepared, they played well and played like they’ve been here,” Greene said. “I think we were a better team than we showed, but you only get one shot at this level.”

Their opportunity never really came. Morgantown didn’t trail, scored the game’s first nine points, and, after seven unanswered points for the Patriots, scored 10 of the next 13 points to lead by 10.

“Their style of play is really good when they’re up,” Greene said. “Maybe not as much when they trail, but we didn’t do the little things. We weren’t sharp and they were a little sharper than we were.”

Next for the Mohigans is a date with Capital, which avenged a 2016 double-overtime semifinal loss to Parkersburg South by defeating those Patriots with an 85-65 rout in Wednesday’s quarterfinals.

In its five trips to the state tournament since 2006, Capital has been no worse than the No. 4 seed, but was upset in either the quarterfinals or semifinals every year.

Morgantown, which is 67-12 under Tallman, received a game-high 24 points from Torin Hanson against GW with 15 of his points coming from the foul line in 18 attempts. Nicky Solomon, an integral part of Morgantown’s title run last year, had 14 points and six rebounds.

Guard Tracy Conliffe had 10 points and nine rebounds for the Patriots, while Justin Phillips – who missed nine games this season because of various injuries – also had 10 points.

The Mohigans are in the state tournament for the 25^th time, are seeking their second consecutive berth in the championship game after three straight seasons of losing in the quarterfinals.

“Nobody thought we would be here, playing on Friday, except for the guys in our lockerroom and maybe even some of them (didn’t think we would be here),” Tallman said. “We thought our defense would carry us.”

—

Richard L. Stevens Jr.

Notre Dame Holds Off Pesky Greyhounds

By RICH STEVENS

Notre Dame coach Jarrod West has no problem trusting his son.

His son, also Jarrod West, now has no problem trusting his teammates.

As a result, the fourth-seeded Irish have won a state tournament game for the first time since 1997 in a 66-45 verdict over No. 5 Gilmer County (21-5) in the tourney’s Class A portion on Wednesday night at the Charleston Civic Center.

Notre Dame (21-5) advances to Friday’s 1 p.m. semifinal against top-seeded Wheeling Central. The Maroon Knights (24-2) eliminated Valley by a 67-52 count.

The younger West will play in his fifth state tournament game, losing to Charleston Catholic in the 2014 semifinals and to Magnolia and St. Joseph in the 2015 and 2016 quarterfinals respectively.

“(This is) the most complete team I’ve had,” said coach West, who took over Notre Dame in 2005. “Jarrod always had to score 30 for us to win. I told him this year he had to find a happy medium and trust his teammates.”

He finished with 16 points, nine rebounds and nine assists, perhaps cementing his status as the state’s top small school player. Notre Dame had 16 assists on 25 baskets.

The Irish led by only three at halftime after squandering an 11-point lead, but Notre Dame held the Titans to five in the third – on a Gunnar Haley 3-pointer and Carter Springer layup. Notre Dame went to cruise control and finished off its second state tournament victory in nine trips.

“I told them that we have been here three years, had double-digit leads and when will we grow up and finish,” the head coach said.

Junior Jared Fagan finished with 14 points and six rebounds in a mere 17 minutes of action for Notre Dame. Jaret Mullooly and Robert Griffith had nine points apiece in a balanced attack.

Springer’s 15 points led the way for Gilmer, while Trey Shuff – who averaged 20.2 points per game – was held to 10, hitting just 1-of-10 from the floor and missing all five of his 3-point attempts.

Notre Dame now faces the Maroon Knights, who ousted the Irish in the 2010 quarterfinals 59-52. The other Class A semifinal is set to tip off at 9:30 a.m., pitting second-seeded Ravenswood (23-2) and sixth-seeded Madonna (18-8). The Blue Dons stunned previously unbeaten Fayetteville, 44-32.

May 1, 2021 0 comment

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Girls State Tourney Front Row

by David Kravetz April 21, 2021

written by David Kravetz

Cover photograph by WV Sports Photography for RSN Sports

LIVE STREAM PPV Video, Scores, Brackets & More!

video produced by Video Productions

RSN Easy Links presented by…

LIVE PPV StreamTV on NFHS Network EASY LINKS…

$9.95, 30 day Subscription Link HERE

(gets you all semifinal and final games both girls and boys!)

2021 Tournament NFHS Network LIVE STREAM Links

Championship Game

Semifinal – Huntington vs. Morgantown

Semifinal – GW vs. Cabell Midland

#6 Woodrow Wilson vs. #3 GW 4/29, 9:30 AM

#7 Jefferson vs. #2 Cabell Midland 4/29, 1 PM

#8 Martinsburg vs. #1 Huntington 4/29 5:30 PM

#5 Wheeling Park vs. #4 Morgantown 4/29 9 PM

Championship Game

Semifinal – Fairmont Senior vs. Logan

Semifinal – Nitro vs. North Marion

#6 Midland Trail vs. #3 Nitro, 4/28, 9:30 AM

#7 Hampshire vs. #2 North Marion, 4/28, 1 PM

#8 Lewis County vs. #1 Fairmont Senior, 4/28 5:30 PM

#5 Pikeview vs. #4 Logan, 4/28, 9 PM

Championship Game

Semi-final – Parkersburg Catholic vs. Williamstown

Semi-final – Petersburg vs. Wyoming East

#4 Frankfort vs. #5 Williamstown 4/27, 11:15 AM

#8 Ravenswood vs. #1 Parkersburg Catholic 4/27, 7:15 PM

#6 Charleston Catholic vs. #3 Petersburg 4/28, 11:15 AM

#7 Mingo Central vs. #2 Wyoming East 4/28, 7:15 PM

Championship – Tug Valley vs. Cameron

Semi-final – Tug Valley vs. Tucker County

Semi-final – Cameron vs. Calhoun County

#7 River View vs. #2 Calhoun County 4/27 Quarterfinal

#6 Madonna vs. #3 Cameron 4/27, 1 PM Quarterfinal

#1 Tug Valley vs. #8 Pendleton County 4/27, 5:30 PM Quarterfinal

#5 Webster County vs. #4 Tucker County 4/27, 9 PM

2019 Tournament Archives

Wednesday, March 6 Quarterfinals

9:30AM Trinity vs. Magnolia

11:15AM Huntington vs. Greenbrier East

1PM Summers County vs. Parkersburg Catholic

5:30PM Midland Trail vs. Huntington St. Joe

7:15PM Hampshire vs. Parkersburg

9PM Tucker County vs. Wheeling Central

Thursday, March 7 Quarterfinals

9:30AM Sissonville vs. Wayne

11:15AM South Charleston vs. Wheeling Park

1PM Bridgeport vs. Wyoming East

5:30PM Bluefield vs. Fairmont Senior

7:15PM Martinsburg vs. University

9PM Frankfort vs. Lincoln

Friday, March 8 Semifinals TBA

9:30AM Class A Semifinal Trinity vs. Pkbg. Catholic

11:15AM AA Semifinal Wayne vs. Wyoming East

1PM Class A Semifinal Htg. St. Joe vs. Wheeling Central

5:30PM AAA Semifinal South Charleston vs. Parkersburg

7:15PM AA Semifinal Frankfort vs. Fairmont Senior

9PM AAA Semifinal University vs. Greenbrier East

Saturday, March 9 Championships

12PM Class A Championship Game

2:30PM Class AA Championship Game

7:15PM Class AAA Championship Game

2018 State Tourney Archive On Demand….

Girls Semis – Wayne vs. Wyoming East

Girls Semis – Tucker Co. vs. Wheeling Central

Girls Semis – Frankfort vs. North Marion

PM Girls Semis – Wheeling Park vs. Buckhannon-Upshur

PM Girls Semis – Htg St. Joe vs. Summers County

Girls Semis – Parkersburg vs. Pkbg South

Saturday, March 10 Championships

Class AA Championship

Class A Championship

Class AAA Championship

Check back regularly for updates…

BRACKETS PRESENTED BY…

April 21, 2021 0 comment

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Talking To The Mike by Mike Dunlap

by David Kravetz February 11, 2021

written by David Kravetz

11-15-2016

Every year we as fans look forward to so many traditions that come along with sports.
In a city on a river by a steel mill sits a special place. A university we know as Marshall that until the 90’s was better known for losing records. Who would have thought that such a terrible event like a plane crash from a losing effort in football at East Carolina would eventually be the stepping stone for a championship football program and where excellence became the norm and not the unusual.

We all know the story now. …75 of the Marshall football team, coaches and supporters went down short of the runway in Huntington setting off a chain of events that would eventually bear fruit. A few years ago I was lucky enough to become friends with Red Dawson, the assistant coach that missed the flight back home because he chose to drive back on a recruiting stop. Shortly into the conversation I asked Red if it bothered him to talk about it. I got the feeling I was talking to a Vietnam veteran that had a story to tell. A story that needed told but just too much emotion. Red told me “Yes. it was time to talk about it”
I’ve known others involved.
Jack Lynguel who took the job to rebuild the team.

Keith Morehouse, WSAZ SPORTS reporter who lost his father on the ill fated flight.

I was teammates ,classmates and remain dear friends with the children of the Late Perry Moss.
Les Moss , a coach in his own right and Penny an award winning broadcast news journalist and wonder mom.

Perry Moss recruited many of the kids on that tragic night and he always thought especially highly of Teddy Shoebridge who chose to play QB at a Marshall and the offensively minded Perry Moss.
Moss was let go before the season and I can’t help but think he always had that team somewhere in his mind. I had the chance to be around him often but never felt it was right to inquire about his thoughts but I truly sense he thought about them daily.

My good friend Sam Huff personally told me the story I had never heard that he had contacted MU and volunteered his services to be their head coach and get them up off the ground.

    Perhaps no city anywhere but our great state of West Virginia could handle such adversity and eventually shine for excellence.
Doc Holliday took overcast program and maybe the most important thing he has done for the team and community is kept the memory of the 75 alive. It’s done in a tasteful honorable way that is both unique to the team and shared with any and all both with ties and without. John Holiday is a great pick for the head coaching position.   He grew up in nearby Hurricane, WV and he has resolute drive that will not allow him to be out worked or fail.
I want to close this column by making this suggestion.   Retire the number 75 from Marshall Athletics.   Let it take its proper place like baseball’s Jackie Robinson for whom Major League Baseball retired for every team a few years ago. Let the number 75 never again he worn by a player but yet let it be at every game painted on dugouts, hung from rafters and stadium walls.
That’s just my opinion, thanks for talking to the Mike.

Mike Dunlap

11-4-16

Photo per CBSsports.com

Can’t whistle show tunes every year

I’m a big man. 6 ‘ 4″ and 300 pounds but I’m not too big of a man to say I got one wrong. I had the Thundering Herd of Doc Holiday with another 10 win season and a bowl appearance. Looks like I was wrong on both cases.
What I’m not wrong on is that Doc will right the ship. What makes you so sure big man you might ask? Doc is a winner and maybe more importantly he is committed to building the program at Marshall and will not be out worked.
My first dealing with Doc was as a freshman at WVU. Doc was participating on the fitness test and if memory serves me correctly he ran the mile and half fitness run around 7 minutes. BTW, he was a coach doing this just for fun.. ..Doc is a competitor and it doesn’t matter what’s on the line he wants to win and that’s a good thing for the all those in green.
The record this year is not what the faithful have been used to but I don’t see a trend. They have lost to some good football teams while themselves not being up to par. It happens.
I’ve also heard some criticism of Poca native Bill Legg this year. Poppycock!! It’s the same Bill Legg that has been calling the plays over the last few years that was putting up record numbers on yards and points so get off his back!!
So it’s a bad year. Your QB is a young guy that will only get better. Instead of being a critic, why not be a true fan and call in to the radio show and tell Doc your behind him.
There will be more good times for Doc and his men in green.

On a sad note…..the passing of Greg Carter ,you will be missed my friend.‎

November 1, 2016

School Colors

photo by tennessee247.com

The big thing these days are alternate uniforms at the college and pro levels. Even some high schools are venturing into those programs that are trying it. A year or so ago I made mention or rather asked the question as to why some of my alma mater school teams had added some predominantly black color schemes to the uniforms that had traditionally been red or scarlet and grey since those were the school colors. This seemed like a no brainer to me but at that time but I apparently ruffled some feathers.

Tough Turkey !!!

I’m not the only one that feels this way. I posed the question to one if our greatest college football coaches who said he didn’t like it because he thought, “you lost your brand”, and could not easily look at a game on on TV and know who was playing. …..I agree.

I know what your thinking. ..get with the times big man.

I don’t mind the change in uniforms but at least stick with the school colors. I was sent a picture from a follower of my column, let’s call him….hmmmm…I’ll try to think of a snazzy name. Anyway it’s a picture of one of our school’s cheerleaders dressed in one if our biggest rivals’ colors. I mean c’mon man. Enough of this! Your brand is and should be a part of who you are, both growing up and beyond. Are we to change the old saying of “that guy bled blue and gold” except for when they wore the alternate grey uni’s?

I could understand if your colors were bland or ugly buy I’m talking about a couple of schools with great athletic tradition and great colors.

My beloved high school Poca “Dots” (official colors red and grey) are one team we’re in fact referring to with the picture that was sent by a aliased reader. The cheerleader was dressed in predominantly black with some red. I was not the valivictorian in 1985 but I did dress and play in approximately 100 sporting events and the only black I ever wore was a pair of black cleats at a football game. That was because a Penn State coach was in the stands. Ant then there was the two black pieces of electrical tape we all wore on our helmets to remember two team mates who had lost their dogs during the season. …..yep…their dogs.

On the college level the biggest team that comes to mind aren’t he Tennessee Volunteers…what great tradition they have with those orange uniforms. While I’m not from there I just don’t get passing up the traditional orange and white to wear dull grey uniforms….no sir. ..don’t get it. As a recruit in the mid 80’s I can remember visiting there and everything was orange and pointed out and mentioned with pride.

Now I’m sure I’ve made some of you mad…that was not my intent. However it was my intent to get you thinking about why in the world we would stray from tradition and school pride.

Think about it and once again thank you for Talking to the Mike

Oh yeah. …you…that fella that keeps sending me the emails that always end with “…..sounds like a good story for a column…” you were right this time. I’m gonna try to come up with a nickname for you to keep you from being the target of angry fans for suggesting such ideas…..that’s my gig!!

Mike Dunlap

October 25, 2016

Welcome back Wednesday

photo by gotomahawks.org

I took some time off to take my lovely bride on vacation but we’re back and I’ve got some new sports thoughts on my mind.

Lots of things to write about but I’m going to get back into the swing of things with midget league football.

Sunday I got a text inviting me down to watch a friend’s young son play some midget football. My first question was do they have a concession stand? Once that was confirmed I jumped into my black Hemi and headed south.

First stop, concession stand…$2 each for hot dogs? Should have been 2 for $3 but anyway. …

I sat down on the bleachers to watch the game and was immediately reminded of why I don’t coach these teams. The parents I was sitting by were horrible. The coaches that give up their time to coach these young guys should never have to put up with some of the things being said from the stands.

No matter how good you think your little guy is I assure you he is not being scouted for nor will he be offered a scholarship from the ranks of pee wee football. One mother in particular thought she should be calling the plays for a NFL team on Sundays.

That said, I applaud the coaches players and the well behaved parents that attend the games on their day off seeking some entertainment and to watch their little guys do what they are supposed to do at this level. Have fun and learn the basics of this game we love and enjoy.

And by the way. …thank a coach at that level when you get a chance. Taking the time to be away from his own family to participate in helping the kids of your community and to be involved on a great sport.

Just my opinion.

Feel free to post yours at the bottom of this article.

Thanks for talking to the Mike.

Mike Dunlap

September 6, 2016

Let’s talk college football polls….

I understand the need for preseason polls but in reality they don’t mean much until probably the 3rd or 4th game when cupcake season is over . This year the first week was not your usual line up and as a fan I enjoyed it.

I’m not going to give a run down of the entire Top 25, just some highlights and then feel free to discuss.

1. Alabama – Don’t look for this to change anytime soon. The Crimson Tide has great talent, great coach and some karma in the bank stemming from when WV native Nick Saban came to the aid of summer flood victims and high school football programs with much needed aid.

2. Clemson….to early too tell. The Tigers might have had the wake up call they needed.

5. LSU- Another maybe and too soon to judge. …I am a huge Les Miles fan….lets wait and see . They were either ranked too high to start or Wisconsin was ranked too low.

6. Houston- Started the season the way they ended it with huge win against Oklahoma after beating FSU in bowl game. Houston, if I were you I’d give this coach whatever he wants…your on a roll.

10. Notre Dame – Another too early to tell ranking.

11. Texas- Looked much better from last year but I wonder about the yo-yo voting. ..way low then way high.

WVU was victorious in what was in my opinion a pretty darn good Missouri team, bad helmet design aside. Mitch Vingle wrote a great article after the game stating the same thing. While Missouri may play in the great SEC, what gives prudence to my belief is they never gave up, never shut it down and this is a good sign from a team with a new staff. At anytime the Tigers could have started using young players or used the excuse of starting to build the program. To my knowledge that never happened. If WVU had started the season ranked I think they would have made a jump but since they didn’t we won’t know. If I had a vote I’d put them in at the number the #23 spot. Let’s hope the momentum continues this week.

The Thundering Herd opens this week and they aren’t getting any respect in the polls either. Herd fans I want to make a prediction….this will be a nice year. Next year when the game slows down even more for their young QB and if Bill Legg is still on board, a head coaching job is surely in Bills future, and over due if you ask me. The Herd will come out of the gates in the Top 25 and put up big numbers! !! If I’m a young WR with hands and souped up wheels I’ve got to be thinking about signing on the dotted green line.

Anyway, just a few college football thoughts. …thanks for Talking to the Mike

Mike Dunlap

September 1, 2016

photo via TheBleacherReport

Sportsfans, have you had the chance to see the footage of Minnesota Vikings QB Teddy Bridgeport? I’m not ashamed to say I turned the channel when it was about to be shown. I wanted no parts of seeing it.

I can still remember Washington Redskins QB Joe Theismann being routinely tackled , if there was such a thing, by arguably the best linebacker ever Lawrence Taylor. I had seen much harder and vicious hits. Truth be told I’d seen harder hits that day on Mountaineer Field where Fred Smalls and Bo Orlando were handing out bruises. As routines as it may have seemed it broke his leg, snapped it in to. The reaction by Taylor was instant. Waving for immediate medical attention. The TV room at Towers was a mix of stunned silence and loud expressions of what was just witnessed. To this day I don’t want to see it.

Photo via TheSportingNews

The reports that grown men, hardened athletes used to blood and sweat along with knowing what pain feels like we’re throwing up on the field because of what they just witnessed. It was reported that this type of injury could have easily led to loss of limb or possible death if trained professionals had not been immediately available.

We as fans or so called sports writers take the liberty to let athletes know what’s we think of them and what we respect. In cases such as this we can only be thankful this young man had the properly trained professionals at hand. Early word is he will play again. Im only hopeful he will be able to walk without a limp. Oh yeah, one more thing….when Taylor snapped Theismanns leg it was during a rival game on Monday Night Football. …in Bridgewater case it was a non contact drill where he simply dropped back to pass. No doubt he has done this several thousand times.

Good luck Teddy

Mike Dunlap
Talking to the Mike
9-1-16

AUGUST 31, 2016

Here we go, Talking to the Mike column number 3.

1st Down
The first week is over for WV HS football. ….some teams are better than they thought and others not as good. One game does not a season make though. Let’s talk about Capital High for a second. I gave them kudos last week for taking on a team out of Ky, Johnson City. From the highlights I saw JC looked to be a handful for any of our AAA schools. I look for Capital to bounce back this week. They have the talent and the coach. I really like the coach and wish him a long career, he’s good for WV HS football. As a AA team at Poca, we once hosted a AAAA team from KY and if my memory serves me right their coach made the comment he hated to bring his team to a little podunk town called Poca but hey a win was a win. Final score….Poca had 46 I think….team from Ky….not as many….win Dots

2nd Down
Hustle on the weekly Friday night football shows continue to bother me. Want to win. Want to play college football Want to be a good team mate and player? Hustle on every play and good things will happen. I promise

3rd Down

How many teachers sit their kids by alphabetical order? That will change at Huntington High thus week with their young QB Luke Zban. You might remember that name as his daddy was a hot shot good looking QB out of Huntington East Pony Express days gone by. Mark Zban signed with Ohio State before transferring to Marshall. Zban found his spot under center for the Herd when a injury move a guy named Pennington into the lineup and as they say….he got Pipped….as in Wally Pipp. Don’t know the story of Wally Pipp? Google it….I have enough of a problem putting these sentences together. …lol

Let’s hope young Zban continues to work hard and improves his skills and continues to be a positive influence on the community. Something tells me there will be no worries. …Luke….Mark is your father….lol, couldn’t resist

4th Down

After suffering some huge injuries the WVU Mountaineers will still show up. ..I get the feeling that Holgs has his team ready to face all comers. Does that mean being favored no matter who they play? No. It means that after 5 or 6 seasons he has his program moving in direction he wants…is it there yet….no.
Hot seat candidate? Yes. I’m my hot seat ? No
It would be different if I thought the gut wasn’t trying. Was just in it for the cool tshirts. No sir, I get the feeling that one day somethings is gonna click and you’ll never in your life find someone that wanted him fired. Well, on the record, I’m not one looking for his job. I’d rather see him and his team jump out to a 5-0 record and then shift into another level of intensity and bring home a strong finish.

Until next week, this has been column number 3, Taking to the Mike

Overtime

Have a storyline or older Mountaineer you’d like me to interview. Let me know. I’ve toyed with the idea of putting together a list of 10 questions to ask each interviewee , same 10 questions to each person. I think that would be interesting. Send me one of the questions you would ask to RSNsports.com

Mike Dunlap

AUGUST 24, 2016

OK sports fans…..week one of the high school football season is upon us. The bumps and bruises are starting to heal, the modified two a days are behind you and game preparation is on your minds.

Here are some things that I believe will make you and your team successful this year.

1) Hustle on every play. Lineman especially can make the difference with down field blocking

2) Listen to your coach and not the fans in row 3. You may not understand the grand scheme of things but your coach does and I can almost assure you the guy in the third row doesn’t have a clue…..you want success…..listen to the coach

3) One play at a time. Tried and true. Play to the whistle and regardless of the outcome reload for the next play

4) Did I mention hustle?

5) Believe in your team mates. No matter what anyone says this is not war, this is not life or death. It is however a lesson in life and will give you memories you will talk about for many years to come. Make those memories be good ones

6) Practice hard every down. If your plans are to play college football , You never know when a scout will stop by to watch you practice. It’s also a way for you to see playing time on Friday night. Every play

7) Last one. I’ve mentioned hustle and playing hard. When I watch a play there are 2 things that immediately pop into my mind. The players that are hustling and putting forth the effort and the slacker. When you watch the highlights on the news see if the players that standout the most aren’t the ones that are loafing. Don’t stand out for that reason

My week one prediction is a game that has a lot of meaning for me. I lived on the Putnam County side of Nitro and thus went to school at Poca. Bryce Casto is a proven winner and will get the Wildcats where they need to be. Seth Ramsey has a goal of returning the Dots to prominence and is in the process of rebuilding.

This is a tough one for me to pick but I told myself I’d be honest and pick with my head and not me heart.

Dots fans, better days are ahead and I will not be disappointed to lose this one.

Nitro 21 Poca 12

See ya next week

Marshall Remembers

11-15-2016

Keith Morehouse, WSAZ SPORTS reporter who lost his father on the ill fated flight.

I was teammates ,classmates and remain dear friends with the children of the Late Perry Moss.
Les Moss , a coach in his own right and Penny an award winning broadcast news journalist and wonder mom.

My good friend Sam Huff personally told me the story I had never heard that he had contacted MU and volunteered his services to be their head coach and get them up off the ground.

Mike Dunlap

11-4-16

Photo per CBSsports.com

Can’t whistle show tunes every year

What I’m not wrong on is that Doc will right the ship. What makes you so sure big man you might ask? Doc is a winner and maybe more importantly he is committed to building the program at Marshall and will not be out worked.

My first dealing with Doc was as a freshman at WVU. Doc was participating on the fitness test and if memory serves me correctly he ran the mile and half fitness run around 7 minutes. BTW, he was a coach doing this just for fun.. ..Doc is a competitor and it doesn’t matter what’s on the line he wants to win and that’s a good thing for the all those in green.

The record this year is not what the faithful have been used to but I don’t see a trend. They have lost to some good football teams while themselves not being up to par. It happens.

I’ve also heard some criticism of Poca native Bill Legg this year. Poppycock!! It’s the same Bill Legg that has been calling the plays over the last few years that was putting up record numbers on yards and points so get off his back!!

So it’s a bad year. Your QB is a young guy that will only get better. Instead of being a critic, why not be a true fan and call in to the radio show and tell Doc your behind him.

There will be more good times for Doc and his men in green.

On a sad note…..the passing of Greg Carter ,you will be missed my friend.

‎

November 1, 2016

School Colors

photo by tennessee247.com

Tough Turkey !!!

I know what your thinking. ..get with the times big man.

I could understand if your colors were bland or ugly buy I’m talking about a couple of schools with great athletic tradition and great colors.

Now I’m sure I’ve made some of you mad…that was not my intent. However it was my intent to get you thinking about why in the world we would stray from tradition and school pride.

Think about it and once again thank you for Talking to the Mike

Mike Dunlap

October 25, 2016

Welcome back Wednesday

photo by gotomahawks.org

I took some time off to take my lovely bride on vacation but we’re back and I’ve got some new sports thoughts on my mind.

Lots of things to write about but I’m going to get back into the swing of things with midget league football.

First stop, concession stand…$2 each for hot dogs? Should have been 2 for $3 but anyway. …

Just my opinion.

Feel free to post yours at the bottom of this article.

Thanks for talking to the Mike.

Mike Dunlap

September 6, 2016

Let’s talk college football polls….

I’m not going to give a run down of the entire Top 25, just some highlights and then feel free to discuss.

2. Clemson….to early too tell. The Tigers might have had the wake up call they needed.

5. LSU- Another maybe and too soon to judge. …I am a huge Les Miles fan….lets wait and see . They were either ranked too high to start or Wisconsin was ranked too low.

6. Houston- Started the season the way they ended it with huge win against Oklahoma after beating FSU in bowl game. Houston, if I were you I’d give this coach whatever he wants…your on a roll.

10. Notre Dame – Another too early to tell ranking.

11. Texas- Looked much better from last year but I wonder about the yo-yo voting. ..way low then way high.

Anyway, just a few college football thoughts. …thanks for Talking to the Mike

Mike Dunlap

September 1, 2016

Bridgewater 2 photo via TheBleacherReport

Bridgewater 1 Photo via TheSportingNews

Good luck Teddy

Mike Dunlap
Talking to the Mike
9-1-16

AUGUST 31, 2016

Here we go, Talking to the Mike column number 3.

3rd Down

4th Down

Until next week, this has been column number 3, Taking to the Mike

Overtime

Mike Dunlap

AUGUST 24, 2016

OK sports fans…..week one of the high school football season is upon us. The bumps and bruises are starting to heal, the modified two a days are behind you and game preparation is on your minds.

Here are some things that I believe will make you and your team successful this year.

1) Hustle on every play. Lineman especially can make the difference with down field blocking

3) One play at a time. Tried and true. Play to the whistle and regardless of the outcome reload for the next play

4) Did I mention hustle?

This is a tough one for me to pick but I told myself I’d be honest and pick with my head and not me heart.

Dots fans, better days are ahead and I will not be disappointed to lose this one.

Nitro 21 Poca 12

See ya next week

February 11, 2021 0 comment

Uncategorized

WV Prep Basketball Rankings

by Staff Reporter February 4, 2021

written by Staff Reporter

RSN Sports Boys Pre-Season Rankings

Class AAA

Parkersburg South
Morgantown
GW
Woodrow Wilson
Martinsburg
Musselman
Huntington
Hedgesville
Wheeling Park
Capital

Class AA

Chapmanville
Fairmont Senior
Wyoming East
Logan
Oak Hill
Bluefield
Poca
Shady Spring
Bridgeport
R. C. Byrd

Class A

Wheeling Park
Trinity
Charleston Catholic
Greater Beckley Christian
Clarksburg Notre Dame
Ravenswood
Tug Valley
Greenbrier West
Weirton Madonna
Parkersburg Catholic

February 4, 2021 0 comment

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Watch Live Prep Hoops Action Here!

by Staff Reporter March 5, 2020

written by Staff Reporter

Lewis County at Braxton County Boys Sectional Play

March 5, 2020 7PM Live stream via “Braxton Live”

Logan @ Chapmanville boys Sectional Play 7PM

Friday, March 6, 2020 produced by Video Productions on RSN

Herbert Hoover at Braxton County Boys Sectional

March 3, 2020 7PM

Class AA Regional Championships

Nitro at Chapmanville, Wednesday, March 6, 2019 7PM tip

R.C. Byrd at Nicholas County, Wednesday, March 6, 2019 7PM tip

Logan at Poca , Wednesday, March 6, 2019, 7PM tip

Bridgeport vs. Lewis County, Wednesday, March 6, 2019 7PM tip

Chapmanville vs. Logan Rivalry! Friday, February 8, 2019, 7:30PM Tip

Tug Valley vs. Nicholas County, Friday, February 8, 2019, 7PM tip

March 5, 2020 0 comment

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Dan Shoemaker’s Legacy Lives at RSN Sports

by Staff Reporter November 12, 2019

written by Staff Reporter

Story by RSN Sports President Dana Ferrell

My schedule was hectic over the spring break week and culminated with a family camping trip to Stonewall Resort where I was purposely “off the grid”. So it was with stunning surprise and deep sadness on Monday morning that I learned of Dan Shoemaker’s sudden death on April 5^th.

For those who may not know Dan Shoemaker and his contribution to sports in West Virginia I can only give a brief synopsis and never equal what he meant to so many.

Shoemaker was from the Huntington area where he was a teacher and coach. He coached former Huntington East High School to multiple state championships in the 1980s. He then moved on to TV broadcasting and production where he teamed with Bray Cary to form part of the Big Ten Network before being bought out by ESPN. Dan Shoemaker opted to move with ESPN and was eventually promoted to Director of Collegiate Development.

In his job with ESPN as I understand it, Dan was able to steer which games were on TV on any given weekend and directed the production resources to make it happen. He even helped establish a ESPN production office in Huntington until 2015. Shoemaker used his position at ESPN to help both Marshall and WVU to gain great exposure on cable TV. He knew that both school brands were attractive to a national audience. The exposure in turn helped both schools recruit in lucrative markets and benefit financially from apparel sales and more.

Dan Shoemaker lived in the Charlotte, NC area while working for ESPN. He eventually retired from the sports cable giant around 2014 but stayed on as a consultant. He then moved to Charleston, South Carolina where his two daughters had went to school at the College of Charleston.

In his so called retirement Dan Shoemaker served as Athletic Director at The College of Charleston and helped schedule the school a game with WVU. He worked briefly as an advisor for the upstart sports network ASN. Dan also had a passion for putting together college basketball invitationals such as the one in Puerto Rico each Thanksgiving.

I’m sure I’m missing much about Dan Shoemaker’s life and accomplishments. I only want to capture enough to show that this native West Virginian was ultra successful in most everything he did and he loved to use that success to help his home state and Marshall University.

Finally, I would not be doing him justice if I didn’t point out what a great husband and father he was. Through my time and conversations with Dan Shoemaker it was clear he loved his family. He chose Thanksgiving for his holiday basketball invitationals so he could block off Christmas to be with his cherished family.

The above accomplishments and qualities were just a few things I could say about Dan Shoemaker. However, there is one that is personal to me.

Dan Shoemaker was instrumental in steering RSN Sports Network to the level it has grown. He worked as an unofficial consultant since 2011. It started with contact on a Marshall message board and then a phone call. The next thing I was visiting Charlotte to consult with Dan. We developed a friendship and business relationship in which he coached me on ways to grow RSN Sports as TV and video production network.

I recall at first Shoemaker was blunt about what he liked and didn’t like in what we were doing at RSN Sports. He knew how to brand and make money from it. He knew the TV cable business and he knew West Virginia. He gave us regular advice of which much we are using today.

RSN Sports Network is a West Virginia start up that wasn’t funded by deep pockets that many medias typically have. With Dan Shoemaker’s help, RSN has grown into a multi-state sports network that has garnered a significant niche of the younger audience.

I always considered Dan Shoemaker as a Godfather of the sports media world and was privileged to have him as a friend and consultant. I was never offended when he critiqued my work or the company. He was the “ol Coach” and you knew he meant well for you.

He was always thinking big, sometimes bigger than maybe he realized our budget could afford at RSN. At one point he had a vision of bringing a national collegiate basketball invitational to West Virginia. He wanted me to reach out to Jim Justice about the idea of hosting that tournament at The Greenbrier. Of course the question came up of “where would it be played” and Shoemaker indicated that if Justice could build a tennis stadium then basketball wasn’t out of the question. Dan understood what such an annual event would mean to both The Greenbrier and West Virginia. Who knows, maybe his dream will become reality some day.

I remember one time recently there was a story trending on Twitter about a soccer athlete from Parkersburg that had died tragically. The family was trying to get the story trending nationally and reached out to us @RSNsports1 I then placed a phone call to Dan Shoemaker to see if he could get ESPN involved and he offered to make some contacts to corporate on the family’s behalf. That’s the kind of guy Dan Shoemaker was and will be remembered. With ESPN’s help the story did in fact trend nationally.

As long as there is a RSN Sports Network in West Virginia and beyond, Dan Shoemaker’s legacy in sports media will live on. He was clearly a cornerstone in our growth and development. His fingerprints are all over us. With that, his spirit to promote West Virginia sports and athletes will live on in us as well.

November 12, 2019 0 comment

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STATE SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIPS CENTRAL

by Staff Reporter November 7, 2019

written by Staff Reporter

cover photo by Ben Queen Photography

WATCH LIVE ppv via NFHS Network

EASY LINKS

2019 State Championship Matches HERE

PPV subscription site here $9.95 for 30 days

2018 Matches On Demand…

9:30 AM Class AA-A Boys Match Here

10:30 AM Class AAA Girls Match Here

12:30 PM Class AA-A Girls Match Here

1 PM Class AAA Boys Match Here

November 7, 2019 0 comment

Football Uncategorized

2019 WV Prep Football Schedule

by Staff Reporter August 15, 2019

written by Staff Reporter

RSN Sports wishes to thank Ed Forshey of Parkerburg for assembling and providing the individual team schedules used to present our weekly match ups.

Presented by…

Presented by…

Presented by…

Presented by…

https://huntingtonwvarmyrecruiting.business.site/

Presented by…

Week Eight

10/18

Class AAA

University @ Buckhannon-Upshur

Cabell Midland @ Woodrow Wilson

Capital @ Huntington

GW OPEN

Greenbrier East @ Ripley

Hampshire County @ (AA) Berkeley Springs

Hedgesville OPEN

Hurricane @ Parkersburg

Jefferson @ South Hagerstown, MD

Brooke @ John Marshall

Martinsburg @ Salem, VA

Parkersburg South @ Morgantown

Wheeling Park @ Musselman

Washington @ Preston County

Princeton @ (AA) James Monroe

South Charleston @ Riverside

Spring Mills @ Albert Gallatin, PA

Spring Valley @ Saint Albans

Class AA

(AAA) Hampshire County @ Berkeley Springs

Bluefield @ Tazwell, VA

Braxton County @ Grafton

Bridgeport @ Elkins

Wayne @ Chapmanville

Clay County @ Lincoln County

East Fairmont @ Liberty Harrison

R.C. Byrd @ Fairmont Senior

Frankfort @ Petersburg

Herbert Hoover OPEN
Independence @ Liberty Raleigh

(AAA) Princeton @ James Monroe

Allegany, MD @ Keyser

Lewis County @ North Marion

Lincoln @ Roane County

Logan OPEN

Wyoming East @ Man

Mingo Central @ Scott

Nicholas County OPEN

Nitro OPEN

Oak Glen @ Harrison Central, OH

Oak Hill @ Shady Spring

Philip Barbour OPEN

Pikeview OPEN

Poca OPEN

Louisville, OH @ Point Pleasant

River View @ Tiwn Valley, VA

Sissonville @ Winfield

Weir @ Edison Local, OH

Westside OPEN

Class A

Buffalo @ Tolsia

Gilmer County @ Calhoun County

Clay Battelle @ Cameron

Doddridge County @ Ravenswood

Moorefield @ East Hardy

Greenbrier West @ Richwood

Hannan @ Wirt County

Hancock, MD @ Hundred

Toronto, OH @ Weirton Madonna

Magnolia @ Saint Marys

Meadow Bridge @ Summers County

Midland Trail OPEN

Montcalm @ Rural Retreat, VA

Tug Valley @ Mount View

Paden City OPEN

Pocahontas County OPEN

Webster County @ Ritchie County

Sherman @ Van

South Harrison @ Tygarts Valley

Tucker County @ Southern Garrett, MD

Williamstown @ Tyler Consolidated

Frontier, OH @ Valley Wetzel

Wahama @ South Gallia, OH

Wheeling Central @ Martins Ferry, OH

Linsly of Wheeling @ Kiski Prep, PA

10/19

Morgantown Trinity @ Steubenville Catholic, OH

Week Nine

10/25

Class AAA

Buckhannon-Upshur @ Brooke

Cabell Midland @ Huntington

Woodrow Wilson @ Capital

GW @ Riverside

Greenbrier East @ Parkersburg South

Hampshire County @ (AA) Frankfort

Hedgesville @ North Hagerstown, MD

Hurricane @ South Charleston

Jefferson @ Martinsburg

Morgantown @ John Marshall

Musselman @ Washington

Spring Mills @ Parkersburg

University @ Preston County

Ripley @ Princeton

Spring Valley OPEN
Saint Albans OPEN

Wheeling Park @ (AA) Elkins

Class AA

Berkeley Springs @ East Fairmont

Bluefield @ Oak Hill

Braxton County @ Shady Spring

Keyser @ Bridgeport

Chapmanville @ Logan

Clay County OPEN
(AAA) Wheeling Park @ Elkins

Lewis County @ Fairmont Senior

(AAA) Hampshire County @ Frankfort

Grafton @ R.C. Byrd

Herbert Hoover @ Mingo Central

Independence @ Nicholas County

Liberty Raleigh @ James Monroe

Liberty Harrison @ Lincoln

Man @ Point Pleasant

Nitro @ Winfield

Philip Barbour @ North Marion

Pikeview @ Wyoming East

Scott @ Poca

River View @ Westside

Roane County @ (A) Ravenswood

Wayne @ Sissonville

East Liverpool, OH @ Weir

10/26

Oak Glen @ Lincoln County

Class A

Midland Trail @ Buffalo

Calhoun County OPEN

Beallsville, OH @ Cameron

Clay Battelle @ Conotton Valley, OH

Valley Wetzel @ Doddridge County

East Hardy @ Pendleton County

Tucker County @ Gilmer County

Greenbrier West @ Sherman

Hannan @ Van

Hundred OPEN

Magnolia @ Tyler Consolidated

Meadow Bridge @ Montcalm

Moorefield @ (AA) Petersburg

Mount View @ Tolsia

Hancock, MD @ Paden City

Williamstown @ Parkersburg Catholic

Summers County @ Pocahontas County

(AA) Roane County @ Ravenswood

Richwood @ Tug Valley

Wirt County @ Ritchie County

South Harrison @ Saint Marys

Tygarts Valley @ Morgantown Trinity

Wahama OPEN

Webster County OPEN

10/26

Steubenville Catholic, OH @ Weirton Madonna

Paul Charter International D.C. @ Wheeling Central

Western Reserve Academy, OH @ Wheeling Linsly

Week Ten

Class AAA

11/1

Brooke @ Weir

Preston County @ Buckhannon-Upshur

Cabell Midland OPEN

Riverside @ Capital

Woodrow Wilson @ GW

Princeton @ Greenbrier East

Washington @ Hampshire County

Hedgesville @ Jefferson

Huntington @ Parkersburg

Hurricane OPEN

John Marshall @ Warren Local, OH

Martinsburg @ Musselman

Parkersburg South @ Wheeling Park

Ripley @ (AA) Point Pleasant

South Charleston @ Saint Albans

Spring Mills @ North Hagerstown, MD

Ashland Paul Blazer, KY @ Spring Valley

Morgantown @ University

Class AA

Clear Springs, MD @ Berkeley Springs

James Monroe @ Bluefield

Braxton County OPEN

Bridgeport OPEN

Mingo Central @ Chapmanville

Pikeview @ Clay County

East Fairmont @ Lewis County

Elkins @ Fairmont Senior

Frankfort OPEN

Oak Glen @ Grafton

Poca @ Herbert Hoover

Wyoming East @ Independence

Mount Ridge, MD @ Keyser

Liberty Harrison @ Roane County

Shady Spring @ Liberty Raleigh

Philip Barbour @ Lincoln

Lincoln County OPEN

Logan @ Wayne

Nicholas County @ Westside

Sissonville @ Nitro

North Marion @ R.C. Byrd

Oak Hill OPEN

Petersburg @ (A) Tucker County

(AAA) Ripley @ Point Pleasant

River View OPEN

Winfield @ Scott

(AAA) Brooke @ Weir

Class A

10/31

Saint Clairsville, OH @ Wheeling Central

11/1

Buffalo @ Van

Calhoun County @ Meadow Bridge

Bridgeport, OH @ Cameron

Massanutten Academy, VA @ Clay Battelle

Doddridge County @ Williamstown

Morgantown Trinity @ East Hardy

Ritchie County @ Gilmer County

Midland Trail @ Greenbrier West

Mount View @ Hannan

Hundred @ Montcalm

Conotton Valley, OH @ Weirton Madonna

Pendleton County @ Moorefield

Paden City @ Beallsville, OH

Webster County @ Parkersburg Catholic

Pocahontas County @ Tygarts Valley

Saint Marys @ Ravenswood

Summers County @ Richwood

Sherman @ South Harrison

Tolsia @ Phelps, KY

(AA) Petersburg @ Tucker County

Tyler Consolidated @ Valley Wetzel

Trimble, OH @ Wahama

Wirt County OPEN

Wheeling Linsly @ Steubenville, OH

Week Eleven

11/8

Class AAA

Preston County @ Brooke

Buckhannon-Upshur @ (AA) Elkins

Cabell Midland @ South Charleston

Capital @ GW

Greenbrier East @ Riverside

Hampshire County OPEN
Hedgesville @ Spring Mills

Spring Valley @ Huntington

Saint Albans @ Hurricane

Wheeling Park @ John Marshall

Martinsburg OPEN
Morgantown OPEN
Musselman OPEN

Parkersburg @ Parkersburg South

Princeton @ (AA) Nicholas County

(A). Ravenswood @ Ripley

University OPEN

Jefferson @ Washington

Woodrow Wilson @ (AA) Bluefield

Class AA

Berkeley Springs @ (A) Pendleton County

(AAA) Woodrow Wilson @ Bluefield

Braxton County @ Clay County

Philip Barbour @ Bridgeport

Man @ Chapmanville

Fairmont Senior @ East Fairmont

(AAA) Buckhannon-Upshur @ Elkins

Frankfort @ Keyser

Grafton @ Lewis County

Logan @ Herbert Hoover

Independence OPEN

Point Pleasant @ James Monroe

North Marion @ Liberty Harrison

Liberty Raleigh @ Wyoming East

Lincoln @ R.C. Byrd

(A). Sherman @ Lincoln County

Mingo Central @ Winfield

(AAA) Princeton @ Nicholas County

Scott @ Nitro

Oak Glen OPEN

(A). East Hardy @ Petersburg

Westside @ Oak Hill

River View @ Pikeview

Poca @ Wayne

Roane County @ Sissonville

Shady Spring OPEN

Weir OPEN

Class A

Wahama @ Buffalo

Ritchie County @ Calhoun County

Cameron OPEN
Clay Battelle @ Hundred

Doddridge County @ Tygarts Valley

East Hardy @ (AA) Petersburg

Gilmer County @ Meadow Bridge

Mount View @ Greenbrier West

Tolsia @ Hannan

Weirton Madonna OPEN

Magnolia @ Wheeling Central

Pocahontas County @ Midland Trail

Montcalm @ Webster County

Moorefield OPEN
Valley Wetzel @ Paden City

(AA) Berkeley Springs @ Pendleton County

Ravenswood @ (AAA) Ripley

Van @ Richwood

Sherman @ (AA) Lincoln County

South Harrison @ Tucker County

Tyler Consolidated @ Saint Marys

Summers County OPEN

Williamstown OPEN

Morgantown Trinity @ Wirt County

Wheeling Linsly OPEN

August 15, 2019 0 comment

Uncategorized

How High School Track Gives College Bound Football Players a Boost

by Staff Reporter May 31, 2019

written by Staff Reporter

By Patrick Nothaft | [email protected]

With 324 players currently on Division-I rosters, the state of Michigan is well-represented on the college football circuit.

But before those athletes went on to start their college football careers, most made their marks on high school tracks across the Great Lakes State.

From Todd “T.J.” Duckett claiming three consecutive shot put state championships to Tyrone Wheatley holding state records in the long jump and 110-meter hurdles, the Michigan High School Athletic Association’s list of track and field state champions is full of gridiron stars.

To learn more about the symbiotic relationship between track and football, MLive caught up with some of the state’s top coaches and athletes who are currently starring in both sports.

Some of the factors that play into dual-sport success — particularly speed — were self-explanatory, but others were less obvious.

Follow along to see how some of the state’s best high school football players benefit from spending the spring season at the track and some barriers that can prevent them from doing so.Odd, crazy and awesome records from Michigan high school track & fieldThese athletes can run like the wind, jump over Shaq and can toss heavy metal objects pretty far.

Strength and explosion

Every year in the weeks leading up to the Super Bowl, data emerges regarding how many players from the AFC and NFC championship rosters competed in multiple sports while in high school.

Prior to the 2019 contest between the Los Angeles Rams and the New England Patriots, TrackingFootball.com found that 90 percent of athletes from each team were multiple-sport athletes, and that 68 percent of the Rams’ roster competed in track while in high school.

East Kentwood track and field coach Dave Emeott has led the Falcons to seven state championships since 2009, and some of his best athletes have been Division-I football recruits, including Wisconsin signees Logan Brown and Stephan Bracey, University of Michigan freshman early enrollee Mazi Smith and class of 2020 Michigan State commit Dallas Fincher.

East Kentwood linemen are future Big Ten foes, and that’s OKCheck out why Mazi Smith committed to the University of Michigan.

When he sees an aspiring college football player show interest in track, the sales pitch is all about diversifying the athlete’s training to add strength, speed and explosion.

“The grand majority of what we’re doing is building speed and power, and a lot of what they’d be doing without us wouldn’t be working the same areas,” Emeott said. “When a kid comes out and wants to become more explosive, it’s an awesome complement to what they’re already doing in the weight room.

“We’re all about power and explosiveness, not just focusing on the speed. In track, you’re not running fast to get around someone or outrun them, you’re only working on your speed.

“For the throwers, they’re focusing on power from the bottom of their toes to their fingertips, and that’s a huge benefit when they get back on the football field.”

Kevin Sielaff | MLive.comEast Kentwood track coach Dave Emeott, poses for a photo during an indoor practice on Monday, April 20, 2015. (Kevin Sielaff | MLive.com)

In the college football world, 300-pound linemen are the norm, and what separates the difference makers from the rest of the crowd is their ability to move at that size.

“Even with the bigger guys, speed is king when you’re playing football,” said Zeeland East track coach Ralph Neal, an 18-year coaching veteran that led the Chix to a Division 2 state title in 2017. “I look for the fastest big guys over the strongest big guys because it’s about how well you can move. If they’re coordinated and can move their body weight really well, that’s going to translate.”

‘Nowhere to hide’

On the football field, 11 players need to execute their assignments for a play to be successful, but on the track, it’s harder to hide behind your teammate’s mistakes.

In essence, there are no excuses, and there’s no one else to blame.

“One thing that happens in track and helps football players is the opportunity to compete on an individual level — when there is nobody else around that didn’t block or throw it in the right place,” Emeott said. “Whether you do your job or don’t do your job, everyone knows it, and there’s nowhere to hide.”

From the perspective of Zeeland East’s Neal, that pressure is something that football players thrive on because they’ve already gained a sense of mental toughness from weight room sessions and two-a-days that make football such a demanding sport.

“From the competitive standpoint, football kids like to compete, to put themselves in tough environments and fight through it,” he said. “There’s more pressure in a field event, where it’s just them and the event, but I feel like kids from football come over with that grit and toughness and are ready to compete.”

Still, standing alone on the starting block or in the thrower’s circle is a far cry from standing at the line of scrimmage with a full complement of teammates.

“A kid who was a receiver at Western Michigan told me that he’s never been so nervous than waiting for the baton,” said Traverse City Central track coach John Lober. “They’re out there without any pads or helmets on and everyone is watching them. To the competitive athlete, it brings a new skill set, a new type of coaching and new type of environment that increases the athlete’s awareness and competitive edge, which carries over into the different arenas.”

Getting out what you put in

East Kentwood’s Emeott considers 90 percent of track and field to be training, and because of that, there are few sports that provide as much of a reward for an athlete’s hard work.

Boone Bonnema, a senior at Zeeland East and future Western Michigan linebacker, has felt at home on the football field since second grade, but he has also grown to appreciate throwing the shot put and discus based on his ability to see the fruits of his labor.

“I’ve always thought track was kind of interesting compared to all the different sports that I’ve played, as far as how I perform is based on how hard I practice and how focused I stay and what I put into my body that will help me come out with the right results,” said Bonnema, who captured a regional title in the shot put on May 18, with a personal-best throw of 54 feet, 7 inches. “As a football player, it’s helped keep myself accountable because the sport of throwing all kind of relies on how you treat it. If you’re going to take it super seriously, then you’re probably going to do better.”

Zeeland East senior Boone Bonnema (8) listens to Zeeland East Head Coach Derek Pennington's speech after a game against Grand Rapids Catholic Central on Friday, Sept. 7, 2018. — Alyssa Keown | MLive.comZeeland East senior Boone Bonnema (8) listens to Zeeland East Head Coach Derek Pennington’s speech after a game against Grand Rapids Catholic Central on Friday, Sept. 7, 2018.

While it’s not surprising that training to run fast will make you faster, that training doesn’t translate perfectly to the gridiron, where the attribute “football speed” has been given to some of the NFL’s top players who never blew away the competition in a straight-line setting.

Traverse City Central’s Lober, a veteran coach of 55 years, recognizes that and can see why some football players would be hesitant to run track, but added that the best athletes thrive in that environment.

“The thing is that it’s all measureable, and they love that,” he said. “They love pushing themselves to go farther, and the great athletes thrive on that.

“Some of those athletes might shy away (from track) because some of that makes them uncomfortable, and there’s a certain risk factor you have when you’re measuring stuff, but the great ones have goals and compete to reach those.”

The track vs. football camp dilemma

Spring is the season for outdoor track and field in Michigan, but it’s also a busy time for high school football players looking to generate some recruiting buzz and earn scholarship offers along the way.

A growing number of football camps, ranging from skill position to lineman events, are occupying weekends during the track season and forcing players to pick one or the other.

Before he committed to Western Michigan and later Wisconsin, East Kentwood 3-star wide receiver prospect Stephan Bracey gave football priority over his track career, despite leading off the state championship 800-meter relay team in 2017 and helping the Falcons win Division 1 titles in 2017 and 2018.

East Kentwood's Stephan Bracey competes in the long jump. (Brian Forde | MLive.com) — ADVSPORTSEast Kentwood’s Stephan Bracey competes in the long jump. (Brian Forde | MLive.com)

“There were times where if there was a big camp with a lot of scouts, I’d miss a track meet, so it was a little difficult to decide, but when I decided I was going to play football at the next level, I gave that priority,” Bracey said.

A 30-year veteran head coach of the Detroit Cass Tech football and track programs, Thomas Wilcher has seen a decrease in the number of gridiron stars coming out for the track season.

“I think the reason why track has become less attended by football players and other athletes is because you have more competition set up for other sports,” he said. “7-on-7 camps and AAU (basketball) pull athletes away, and you also have lacrosse and baseball, and they pull you away.”

As a former University of Michigan running back and All-American hurdler for the Wolverines, Wilcher also has a unique perspective on how track can help boost and athlete’s profile even without attending spring football camps.

“I try to say that football camps are great, but not all football camps are great,” he said. “You have to pick and choose because sometimes they’re nothing more than money-maker schemes, and you have to beware of what’s out there.

“Sometimes I think track will help you more because you’re still working, and you’re creating a buzz. One thing you can’t teach in football is speed, so you better figure out how to go get it.”

Mike MulhollandDetroit Cass Tech coach Thomas Wilcher celebrates after a 49-20 win over Detroit Catholic Central the MHSAA Division 1 state final football game at Ford Field in Detroit, on Saturday, November 26, 2016. (Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)

Track with a side of football

Michigan’s high school track and field state championship meets begin on Saturday, June 1, giving athletes like Bracey and Bonnema less than a week left in their running and throwing careers.

Bracey enters the Division 1 meet seeded first in the 400-meter relay (42.36 seconds), first in the 800 relay (1:27.64), third in the 100 dash (10.80) and third in the long jump (22 feet, 0.25 inches), while Bonnema is third in the shot put (54′ 7) and 11th in the discus (144′ 7).

Both should contend for state titles, and that means the focus has been on registering personal bests, but it has been near-impossible to put football on the back burner.

“I’m doing a lot of drills working on route running and my feet; working on opening up my hips,” Bracey said. “It’s mainly just drills and working on my hands and catching balls out of drills.”

“I’m doing my best (to stay in football shape),” Bonnema added. “Coach Neal wants me at a high caliber and have all my energy reserved for throwing, I’m going to finish out the track season, and then I’ll have three or four more weeks until I head over to Western, and that should be enough time to get back to running and have me conditioned for that.”

Read complete article by clicking link…

https://www.mlive.com/highschoolsports/2019/05/how-high-school-track-gives-college-bound-football-players-a-boost.html?fbclid=IwAR10Mx8s4-Y7iD6yFl4rtmF2_ZHJgDl0KJp5Q0cVb8R7YJwXJLZFZNTupPU

May 31, 2019 0 comment

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Marshall’s Hammer Goes Show

by Staff Reporter May 29, 2019

written by Staff Reporter

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Just five days after being promoted to Triple-A Lehigh Valley, former Marshall pitcher J.D. Hammer made his MLB debut for the Philadelphia Phillies on May 26 becoming the 15th player to reach “The Show” from Marshall, including the fourth under 13^th-year head coach Jeff Waggoner.

“J.D. was as good of a person as he was a player when he was with the Herd,” Waggoner said. “I’m happy for him and can’t wait to see him play when he’s in the area.”

Hammer threw a perfect inning in his debut in Milwaukee against the Brewers. He retired 2018 National League MVP Christian Yelich, 2011 NL MVP Ryan Braun and struck out Mike Moustakas.

Hammer was selected in the 24th round of the 2016 MLB Draft by the Colorado Rockies after two seasons at Marshall. With the Herd, he appeared in 29 games, started 23, and accumulated a 6-8 record. He had 56 strikeouts in both the 2015 and 2016 seasons as he helped Marshall to an appearance in the 2016 Conference USA Baseball Tournament.

For all the latest information about Marshall Baseball, follow @HerdBaseball on twitter and @HerdBSB on Instagram.

May 29, 2019 0 comment

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