July 19, 2010 @ 12:15 AM
GRANT TRAYLOR
After six games, team earns third-straight 'A' Division title
SPRING VALLEY -- After playing five games already on Sunday, Team Riggs wondered how they were going to pull through for a sixth game in a winner-take-all championship against the Monstars.
About that time, Jamie Riggs -- the team's namesake who was unable to play this year -- walked in from his family vacation.
Andy Burns said it was all the motivation he needed.
"After the first five, I was hoping he could come in and play, so we could watch him win it," Burns said. "Definitely though, seeing him come out to watch us gave me a little more motivation that last game."
Burns scored 35 points and continuously hit 3-point daggers when Monstars would make a run to help put the game away.
It was the third-straight 'A' Division championship for Team Riggs' Joe Suttles and second-straight for Jeremy Adkins, who previously teamed with Burns at Spring Valley. In each of the last two years, Team Riggs has come from the loser's bracket to earn the title.
"We aren't very smart," said Adkins, who ironically plays basketball at Washington & Lee University, a prestigious academic school in Virginia. "We didn't learn anything from last year, but it's an experience."
Also on Team Riggs for 2010 was former Marshall wide receiver Josh Davis, who is back in town finishing up grad school.
It was only nine years ago that Davis capped one of the most dramatic games in Marshall football history by catching an 8-yard touchdown pass from Byron Leftwich to give Marshall a 64-61 overtime win over East Carolina in the 2001 GMAC Bowl.
On Sunday, Davis fought cramps in both championship games to help his team avenge its only loss, which came to the Monstars in the first game on Saturday.
"To me, it felt like the GMAC because we lost to them early in that first game," Davis said. "We came back and our whole team didn't quit. We were able to pull it out by leaning on each other."
While Team Riggs was celebrating its third-straight title, Ashland P & O lost to Skinny Sweaty in the first championship game, but rebounded with a win in the winner-take-all championship to earn the 'B' Division crown.
For Shawn Kirk, it was his seventh Valleyball tournament, but first championship.
"This is awesome. I've been to the semis a couple times but never got a championship," Kirk said. "If there is a tournament, I'll play in it, but this is my favorite tournament every year."
He said there was one major factor on his side this time around.
"I'm getting a little older, so I've got to get these young guys to do all the work," Kirk said.
Tournament co-organizer J.B. Blankenship said that youth was certainly served during the 2010 Valleyball.
Team Riggs was led by Adkins and Burns, who are 20 and 19, respectively. Kirk's Ashland P & O team featured several players under the age of 20 as well.
Blankenship said youth is the future of the tournament, so for the 2011 Valleyball -- the official 25th anniversary after one year was skipped in the early 90s -- he wants to emphasize a youth division.
If he can get accomplished, hopefully the Valleyball will stick around another 25 years.
"We need it bad. One good thing about opening this up as a 'Bring your best' is that we are attracting teams from all over, but we have to get a good successful youth division going again," Blankenship said. "It has been a struggle with all-star baseball, but we need to try and get it rejuvenated a little bit."
June 15, 2010 @ 12:00 AM
GRANT TRAYLOR
The Herald-Dispatch
ONA -- To say former Cabell Midland High School multi-sport standout Matt Walker has enjoyed life since graduation would be a bit of an understatement.
So far, his schedule has gone like this -- all-star game, beach, all-star game.
"It's just all been a blast," Walker said. "It's a good way to start out the summer."
Walker first competed June 6 in the North-South All-Star Baseball Classic at Appalachian Power Park in Charleston before going to Myrtle Beach on a senior trip. Following fun in the sun at the beach, Walker is ready to head back indoors for the North-South All-Star Basketball Classic on Friday at the South Charleston Community Center.
He is one of two Cabell Midland athletes participating in a pair of games in the North-South All-Star series, joining Michael Brumfield, who will compete in the basketball and football games.
Walker said the duo discussed the privilege while at the beach last week.
"To be nominated to play in two different sports is an honor to our abilities -- especially in a large school like ours," Walker said. "It makes this entire two weeks a lot of fun."
Not only did Walker have success on the field, he he also excelled in the classroom, earning Very High Honors in Cabell Midland's graduating class.
While he has excelled at juggling sports and academics, he is not exactly sure what his next move will be.
He has been accepted to West Virginia University where he plans to enter the pharmaceutical program if he goes. Having already been accepted to West Virginia, the word was that Walker was not necessarily interested in playing sports at the next level.
Walker, however, said that is definitely not the case.
"I love sports so a lot depends on what offers come," Walker said. "I still think about (my future) every day and nothing has changed. I've already been accepted to WVU so that is already there, but I've still got thoughts in the back of my mind of still playing."
Friday officially closes the book on the high school career for Walker, who finished with 15 points and four assists per game for the Knights last season.
With his future plans unknown, the sharpshooter wants to go out with a bang Friday by competing in the 3-point shootout and helping the South to a win.
Players report at noon Thursday before taking part in team meetings and a practice prior to going as a group to the West Virginia Power baseball game. On Friday, there will be an early morning practice before rest as the players prepare for the 7 p.m. festivities at the South Charleston Community
Landon: Ripley's Fischer coming to beat WVU March 20, 2010 @ 12:00 AM
CHUCK LANDON
The Herald-Dispatch
Chase Fischer isn't playing for a Class AAA state championship today.
In fact, the Ripley High School star didn't even get to compete in the West Virginia boys high school basketball state tournament that ends Saturday at the Charleston Civic Center.
But was he still shootin' hoops this week?
You'd better believe it.
There isn't a day that goes by that Fischer doesn't work on his game.
That's why the still-growing, still-improving Fischer already is a Marshall prospect.
His work ethic is off the charts.
"I'm on a big-time weight program," said Fischer, a 6-foot-3, 179-pound guard who recently completed his junior season. "My dad got me and my brother (Noah, a freshman walk-on member of Marshall's basketball team) on it before he left for college.
"I've stayed on it and I've put on about 15 pounds since last year. I weigh 178 or 179 pounds now. I'm wiry strong. I'm not a physical presence, but I'm wiry strong."
The truth of the matter is Fischer possesses a surprisingly strong physique for a teenager that just turned 17 years old in February.
"I've got a couple more years of growing," he said. "I've got to get a lot stronger before I step on Marshall's court. I'm a young 11th-grader."
All that is true. Yet, Fischer's play this season showed why Marshall coach Donnie Jones offered him a scholarship as a mere ninth-grader.
Fischer averaged 32.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 3.0 steals per game. He shot 47 percent from the floor (257-for-547), including 36 percent from 3-point range (84-for-236), and was an 81 percent foul shooter (173-for-214).
He obviously is a shooter.
"Definitely," said Fischer enthusiastically. "That's what I bring to the table. I'm a shooter. That's what I do."
The stat that jumps off the page is his 3-pointers. A total of 84 treys for a kid that just turned 17 is stunning. Most players that young don't possess that sort of range.
But, again, it goes back to Fischer's uncommon work ethic.
"My dad put me in a bucket when I was 5 years old to get my form right," he explained.
Wait a minute. A bucket?
"Yeah, a bucket," he said with a grin. "It gets your strength up. No legs. Just use your arms. You put both feet in a bucket. No jumping. Just bending your knees.
"That's how I got my range when I was young. And I just kept improving it."
Did he ever.
In fact, Fischer has honed his game to the level where he was ranked the No. 2 player in Bob Gibbons' prestigious underclassmen camp in Greensboro, N.C., last fall.
And that led to an interesting dialogue between Gibbons and young master Fischer.
It seems Gibbons noticed Fischer wearing a Marshall T-shirt and inquired why.
"I told him, 'That's my school'," said Fischer with a grin. "Everywhere I go that's what I do. I wear a Marshall shirt, a Marshall hat. ... something. Everywhere I go I represent Marshall."
Then, Gibbons asked why Fischer wasn't going to the "state school," obviously referring to West Virginia University.
"Ah, no," said Fischer. "WVU? I hate WVU. I can't stand WVU. I'm looking forward to beating them and shutting all these people up and the stuff they're telling me."
That clinches it.
Marshall fans are going to love this kid.
Chuck Landon is a sports columnist for The Herald-Dispatch. Call him at 304-526-2827. E-mail him at clandon@herald-dispatch.com.
March 21, 2010 West Virginia high school basketball's all-time scoring leaders West Virginia career scoring leaders West Virginia
career scoring leaders
2,965-Josh Delawder, Paw Paw, 1997-2000
2,660-Paul Popovich, Flemington, 1955-58
2,619-Rod Thorn, Princeton, 1956-59
2,504-Bill Maphis, Romney, 1957-60
2,498-Herbie Brooks, Mullens, 1981-84
2,354-Don Jones, Sherrard, 1956-59
2,324-Greg Davis, Tug Valley, 1997-2000
2,269-Mike Carson, Sistersville, 1966-69
2,247-Kevin Wells, Ceredo-Kenova, 1987-90
2,203-Ron Williams, Weir, 1961-64
2,199-Brett Nelson, St Albans, 1997-99
2,128-Mick Cooper, Harman, 1961-64
2,128-Scott Shillingburg, Harman, 1997-2000
2,117-Lou Mott, Pine Grove, 1953-56
2,116-Tim Dagostine, Poca, 1982-85
2,024-Ted Talkington, Magnolia, 2001-2004
2,024-Cody Jarrett, Sissonville, 2002-2005
2,003-Alan Miller, Gilbert, 2001-2004
1,997-Earl Jones, Mount Hope, 1977-79
1,996-David Bosley, Paden City, 1990-93
1,995-Mark Catlett, Hedgesville, 1967-70
1,978-Noah Cottrill, Poca/Logan, 2007-2010
1,978-Marcus Davis, Calhoun County, 2001-2004
1,976-Brett Vincent, Lincoln-South Harrison, 1983-86
1,957-Bryan Woolsey, Pineville, 1988-91
1,956-Rod Hundley, Charleston, 1951-53
1,941-Bob Hummell, Moundsville, 1963-66
1,920-Larry Carr, Charles Town, 1968-70
1,920-Ben Shrader, Mercer Christian, 2002-2004
NOTE: Delawder, Davis, Wells, Nelson, Shillingburg, Talkington, Miller, Bosley and Shrader played in era of 3-point field goals; Nelson, Earl Jones, Hundley and Carr played just three varsity seasons; Cottrill scored 836 points at non-SSAC Mountain State in 09 and his totals from that season are not included.
Prep Sports Monday January 18, 2010 Cottrill finds way to improve his game High school basketball notebook by Derek Taylor Daily Mail sports writer
LOGAN, W.Va. -- It is not likely Noah Cottrill will be playing on the low block for West Virginia next year.
In Logan's
78-63 win over third-ranked Wheeling Park on Friday night, however, Cottrill took the opportunity of playing in the Wildcats' frontcourt to work on an element of his overall game.
"I'm getting pretty strong in my upper body and lower body, and that's what I worked on this year," said Cottrill, who had 38 points in the second-ranked Wildcats' win over the Patriots. "Catching it on the block and being able to get away from the basket, get up in the air, turn around and take the side out-of-bounds pass to the corner.
"We used that effectively tonight because they were playing man-to-man and most of the time I had a littler guy on me. It was just working."
The win ended an emotional three-game stretch last week when Logan also edged rival Chapmanville and topped Winfield in Cottrill's first visit to the Generals' gym since leaving Poca two seasons ago. He said while it was a rough week - several Logan players were suspended for two games after a tussle against Chapmanville last Tuesday - the series of games merely served as a primer for what was to come.
"Wait 'til you see next week," Cottrill said. "Have you seen who we play? Tuesday Wyoming East, Thursday Pinewood Prep (S.C.), Friday Princeton Day Academy (Md.), who beat Mountain State (Academy) by 20. Saturday City College (High) out of Baltimore, Maryland. They've got five Division 1 players with a 6-8 guy going to Syracuse and a shooting guard going to Maryland. That's next week's games. We're going to get it going."
The move to Logan - his third high school program in as many years - has agreed with Cottrill. His scoring has increased since his sole season at Mountain State, his foot speed has increased and his defensive skills showed themselves more against Park than in the past.
And yes, he can still shoot the lights out.
"No, seriously, I don't know," Cottrill said when asked if he remembered the last time he scored fewer than 10 points in a game. "I know it wasn't last year at Mountain State. I don't think as a sophomore at Poca. Maybe freshman year."
For the record, the only game in his high school career in which the 6-foot-3 guard failed to score 10 points was when he was held to nine by Grafton on Dec. 22, 2006, when Poca lost to the hosts 53-46 in the championship of Grafton's annual Clair Bee Holiday Tournament.
It was Cottrill's fourth game as a freshman.
* * *
CAPITAL COACH Carl Clark must face the rigors of a Mountain State Athletic Conference schedule like most area Class AAA teams, but he and the Cougars (6-1) do so with an unusual - and handy - weapon.
Through eight games, fifth-ranked Capital has had 10 different players score in double figures in single games.
Senior power forward Tommy Gwinn is the only Capital player to average 10 or more per game, but the Cougars have also received substantial scoring performances from Mark Hale (a season high of 14 points), Dominique Ferrante (16), George Burkes (13), Sam Jones (12), James Morris (11), Myles Duiguid (11), Jeff Harris (10), Ethan Smolder (10) and Jamie Tompkins (19).
Gwinn has hit his season high of 18 points twice this season, against Jan. 13 and in Capital's win over top-ranked South Charleston (7-1) on Friday night. The Cougars return to action Tuesday at Hurricane.
* * *
GEORGE WASHINGTON can attribute much of its success in the first half of the season on its ability to get to the foul line and, when there, converting on its chances.
The Patriots (8-0) have gone to the line a Kanawha Valley-leading 173 times, an average of 21.6 free throws per game. Winfield owns the best team free-throw percentage in the area (.714 through Friday night as opposed to GW's .665 average) but has shot more than 50 fewer times than GW.
The Patriots, ranked No. 4 in the Class AAA poll, have two players - seniors De'quon Miller (.714) and Will Lorensen (.708) - among the top six free-throw shooters in the area. Sophomore guard Santino DiTrapano has converted on 10-of-12 attempts, but has not shot enough from the line to qualify for the leaders' list.
Prep Sports
Charleston Daily Mail
Thursday January 7, 2010
Top basketball players, progams, coaches of the decade
Boys
L.B. Booker, Capital
Noah Cottrill, Poca-Mountain State Academy-Logan
Greg Davis, Tug Valley
Ryan Dawson, Parkersburg South
Aaron Dobson, South Charleston
Bryant Irwin, Bridgeport
Shane Maynard, Beckley
O.J. Mayo, Huntington
Josh "Cookie" Miller, Capital
Patrick O'Malley, G. Washington
Patrick Patterson, Huntington
Mark Patton, Cabell Midland
Kevin Pittsnogle, Martinsburg
Ted Talkington, Magnolia
Rusty Wooten,
Parkersburg Catholic
Player of the Decade
O.J. Mayo, Huntington
Programs of the Decade
South Charleston (AAA)
Wyoming East (AA)
Wheeling Central (A)
Coach of the Decade
Mel Stephens, Wheeling Central
Class AAA All-State Team announced.
April 4, 2009 Captain Dobson SC standout heads AAA boys all-state team South Charleston senior Aaron Dobson stood on the sidelines of Marshall's spring football practice Tuesday in Huntington, watching and waiting for the next cycle of his athletic career to begin. By Derek Taylor South Charleston senior Aaron Dobson stood on the sidelines of Marshall's spring football practice Tuesday in Huntington, watching and waiting for the next cycle of his athletic career to begin.
Dobson, a talented and nimble 6-foot-3 athlete who will begin his career as a wide receiver for the Thundering Herd in the summer, had almost closed the book on an impressive high school career, although one element remained.
For the second time in as many seasons, Dobson was named to the Class AAA all-state boys basketball team by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association, averaging 21.9 points, 10 rebounds and four steals for the Black Eagles. South Charleston lost for the third consecutive season in the Class AAA championship game, this year to Martinsburg.
Chip Ellis Aaron Dobson averaged 21.9 points and 10 rebounds for SC. Named the state's player of the year prior to the State Tournament, Dobson today was named captain of the all-state first team.
"It's just kind of like icing on the cake, probably, filling out the year he's had,'' South Charleston Coach Bobby Dawson said. "He's a perfect fit for what you want in a captain. He's one of those guys who bleeds orange & black.
"He's not a big 'rah-rah' guy on the court, he just goes out and does it, but off the court he's really a great example for guys to follow.''
Dobson pulled out all the stops in attempt to help South Charleston (26-2) end a 50-year state title drought. He scored a season-high 35 points against Winfield in the state tournament quarterfinals, then had a 29-point showing against Wheeling Park in the semifinals.
The remainder of the first team consists of Spring Valley senior Jeremy Adkins, Robert C. Byrd senior Brett Ervin, Ripley senior Noah Fischer, Wheeling Park sophomore Bubby Goodwin, Parkersburg South senior Michael Riggins, George Washington senior Chase Smith and Martinsburg senior Isaac Thornton.
Thornton led Martinsburg (26-2) to its first state championship since 1994 with a game-high 15 points in the title game from his point guard position. The 6-2 Thornton averaged 18.4 points and joined Dobson and Adkins as a repeat first-team selection.
Thornton's ability to spread the ball around played a large part in Martinsburg's ability to reach the title game. The senior had a tournament-high eight assists in a quarterfinal win against John Marshall in which the Bulldogs had to rally late to survive an upset.
Joining Thornton on the first team was GW's Smith, who finished third in the state player of the year balloting, andscored 23.1 points per game. He led the state in single-game scoring in 2008-09 when he poured in 44 points in a loss to South Charleston on Feb. 18.
While also leading GW Washington in assists, Smith had his biggest games against the Patriots' stiffest competition. He scored 35 points against state semifinalist Woodrow Wilson and 35 against Mountain State Academy.
South Charleston senior Aaron Dobson stood on the sidelines of Marshall's spring football practice Tuesday in Huntington, watching and waiting for the next cycle of his athletic career to begin.
Dobson, a talented and nimble 6-foot-3 athlete who will begin his career as a wide receiver for the Thundering Herd in the summer, had almost closed the book on an impressive high school career, although one element remained.
For the second time in as many seasons, Dobson was named to the Class AAA all-state boys basketball team by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association, averaging 21.9 points, 10 rebounds and four steals for the Black Eagles. South Charleston lost for the third consecutive season in the Class AAA championship game, this year to Martinsburg.
Named the state's player of the year prior to the State Tournament, Dobson today was named captain of the all-state first team.
"It's just kind of like icing on the cake, probably, filling out the year he's had,'' South Charleston Coach Bobby Dawson said. "He's a perfect fit for what you want in a captain. He's one of those guys who bleeds orange & black.
"He's not a big 'rah-rah' guy on the court, he just goes out and does it, but off the court he's really a great example for guys to follow.''
Dobson pulled out all the stops in attempt to help South Charleston (26-2) end a 50-year state title drought. He scored a season-high 35 points against Winfield in the state tournament quarterfinals, then had a 29-point showing against Wheeling Park in the semifinals.
The remainder of the first team consists of Spring Valley senior Jeremy Adkins, Robert C. Byrd senior Brett Ervin, Ripley senior Noah Fischer, Wheeling Park sophomore Bubby Goodwin, Parkersburg South senior Michael Riggins, George Washington senior Chase Smith and Martinsburg senior Isaac Thornton.
Thornton led Martinsburg (26-2) to its first state championship since 1994 with a game-high 15 points in the title game from his point guard position. The 6-2 Thornton averaged 18.4 points and joined Dobson and Adkins as a repeat first-team selection.
Thornton's ability to spread the ball around played a large part in Martinsburg's ability to reach the title game. The senior had a tournament-high eight assists in a quarterfinal win against John Marshall in which the Bulldogs had to rally late to survive an upset.
Joining Thornton on the first team was GW's Smith, who finished third in the state player of the year balloting, andscored 23.1 points per game. He led the state in single-game scoring in 2008-09 when he poured in 44 points in a loss to South Charleston on Feb. 18.
While also leading GW Washington in assists, Smith had his biggest games against the Patriots' stiffest competition. He scored 35 points against state semifinalist Woodrow Wilson and 35 against Mountain State Academy.
Goodwin (5-11, 15.7 points, 4.o assists per game) led Wheeling Park to its first state tournament appearance in four years, and its first such berth under third-year coach Michael Jebbia.
Goodwin's speed and clutch play were crucial to the Patriots in their state quarterfinal win against Parkersburg South, and Wheeling Park reached the semifinals before being eliminated by South Charleston. Goodwin shined in the spotlight, averaging 17 points in two games while going 10-for-10 from the free throw line.
Riggins also helped his team end a state tournament drought. Parkersburg South's last appearance in the tournament prior to their its to Wheeling Park was when the school won the 2003 state championship.
Riggins (6-4, 15.7) was the steadiest player for Parkersburg South throughout its 20-win season. He led the Patriots' perimeter-based offense and was the team's leading rebounder at seven per game.
Spring Valley's Adkins (6-3, 17.5) was named to the first team for the second consecutive year. The Timberwolves spent much of the season on the fringe of The Associated Press state poll, but were upset by Winfield in Region 4 play.
Ervin's Robert C. Byrd squad also fell at home in a regional game, denying the Eagles a second-straight bid in the state tournament. Ervin (6-7, 20.9) has signed to play college basketball at Elon after an impressive career at the Clarksburg-based school.
Ervin finished second in state Player of the Year voting and averaged 6.6 rebounds.
Among the teams represented by first-team selections, only Ripley failed to reach regional tournament play. Fischer, a 6-3 shooting guard who led Class AAA players in scoring at 24 points per game, backed out of a commitment to play at Bucknell and will walk on at Marshall in the fall.
Woodrow Wilson senior guard Ryan Powers (5-11, 15.2) was named captain of the second team. Martinsburg senior wing Cameron Cato (6-3, 11.0) captained the third team.
Powers was joined by repeat second-team selection Perry Henry of South Charleston, Preston's T.J. Thompson, Greenbrier East's Jalen Walker, Logan's Paul Herbert Williamson, Jefferson's Dewey McDonald, Musselman's Jonathan Alvarez and Winfield's Adam Kline.
In addition to Cato, the third team is comprised of Logan's Jonathan Bevins, Hedgesville's J.R. Mayles, East Fairmont's Seth Quirk, Woodrow Wilson's Michael Fortune, Cabell Midland's Michael Brumfield, Parkersburg South's Anthony Caplinger and Musselman's Morgan McDonald.
Just seven underclassmen were listed among the top 24 Class AAA players: sophomores Goodwin, Henry and Williamson and juniors Thompson, Kline, McDonald and Brumfield.
Class AAA all-state team
CLARKSBURG - The boys Class AAA all-state basketball team released by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association:
First team
Aaron Dobson, South Charleston, (capt.), 6-3, senior, 21.6 points per game
Chase Smith, George Washington, 6-2, senior, 24.4 ppg.
Isaac Thornton, Martinsburg, 6-3, senior, 18.4 ppg.
Jeremy Adkins, Spring Valley, 6-3, senior, 17.5 ppg.
Noah Fischer, Ripley, 6-3, senior, 24.0 ppg.
Brett Ervin, Robert C. Byrd, 6-7, senior, 21 ppg.
Michael Riggins, Parkersburg South, 6-4, senior, 15.7 ppg.
Bubby Goodwin, Wheeling Park, 5-11, sophomore, 15.7 ppg.
Second team
Ryan Powers, Woodrow Wilson, (capt.), 5-11, senior, 15.2 ppg.
T.J. Thompson, Preston, 6-4, junior, 21 ppg
Jalen Walker, Greenbrier East, 5-10, junior, 21.4 ppg.
Perry Henry, South Charleston, 6-3, sophomore, 15.6 ppg.
Paul Herbert Williamson, Logan, 6-3, sophomore, 20 ppg.
Dewey McDonald, Jefferson, 6-1, senior, 21 ppg.
Jonathan Alvarez, Musselman, 5-10, senior, 10.2 ppg.
Adam Kline, Winfield, 6-5, junior, 16.7 ppg.
Third team
Cameron Cato, Martinsburg, (capt.), 6-3, senior, 11 ppg.
Jonathan Bevins, Logan, 6-7, senior, 16 ppg.
J.R. Mayles, Hedgesville, 6-3, senior, 13.8 ppg.
Seth Quirk, East Fairmont, 5-10, senior, 20 ppg.
Michael Fortune, Woodrow Wilson, 6-1, senior, 12.6 ppg.
Michael Brumfield, Cabell Midland, 6-1, junior, 13 ppg.
Anthony Caplinger, Parkersburg South, 5-10, senior, 14 ppg.
Morgan McDonald, Musselman, 6-5, senior, 14.4 ppg.
Honorable mention
Tyrell Hill, Robert C. Byrd
Jerome Axton, Bridgeport
Jeremy Hays, John Marshall
Travis Whitfield, John Marshall
Casey Defibaugh, John Marshall
Jake Ferguson, Nicholas County
DJhae Jackson, Wheeling Park
Richard Hall, Wheeling Park
Marqez ONeal, Wheeling Park
Justin Sabo, Brooke
Jon Austin, St. Albans
Jacob Lucas, Lincoln County
Tommy Gwinn, Capital
Chase Fischer, Ripley
Seth Parsons, Ripley
Matt Johnson, George Washington
Raheem Waiters, Riverside
Aaron Slusher, South Charleston
Andy Dollman, Parkersburg
Reggie Sims, Parkersburg
Cody McMurray, Parkersburg South
Chase Smith, Parkersburg South
Nathan Hedrick, Spring Valley
J.J. Martin, Huntington
Vashawn Wood, Woodrow Wilson
Ty Garrison, Fairmont Senior
Tyler Anderson, Morgantown
Logan Holloman, Musselman
Garrett Saiko, East Fairmont
Mike Cole, Martinsburg
Nick Branson, Princeton
Kevin Fike, Preston
Garrett Grantham, Jefferson
Maurice Newby, Hedgesville.
AA All-State Announced: Wyoming East's Shrewsbury is first-team AA all-state captain
Class AA all-state boys basketball list
CLARKSBURG - The boys Class AA all-state basketball team released by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association:
First team
Gentry Shrewsbury, Wyoming East, (capt.), 6-4, senior, 21 points per game
Evan Muscari, Wyoming East, 5-10, junior, 8 ppg
Eric Bailey, Westside, 6-3, senior, 23 ppg
Bruce Patterson, Ravenswood, 6-4, senior, 14.6 ppg
R.J. Johnson, Philip Barbour, 5-9, junior, 15.3 ppg
Caleb Kellar, Sissonville, 6-6, junior, 20.5 ppg
Jack Flournoy, Oak Hill, 6-6, freshman, 15.4 ppg
Chris Lawson, Oak Hill, 6-0, senior, 13.4 ppg
Second team
Jared Blatt, Magnolia, (capt.), 6-5, junior, 18 ppg
Luke Murray, Ravenswood, 6-0, junior, 14.2 ppg
Kyle Snyder, Sissonville, 6-1, senior, 17 ppg
Jason Cuffee, Poca, 6-2, sophomore, 17.6 ppg
Neil Dillon, Wayne, 6-1, senior, 19 ppg
Channing Preece, Tug Valley, 5-10, junior, 18.2 ppg
Kalif Wright, Oak Hill, 6-5, sophomore, 17 ppg
Jacob Rollo, Sherman, 6-4, junior, 15.1 ppg
Third team
Preston Hartman, Keyser, (capt.), 6-2, senior, 15.6 ppg
Shawn Burns, Weir, 5-7, junior, 14.2 ppg.
Steven McComas, Scott, 5-9, senior, 17.1 ppg.
Damon Waters, Grafton, 5-9, senior, 17 ppg.
Craig Ponder, Bluefield, 6-0, junior, 20.5 ppg.
Timmy Miller, Webster County, 6-0, senior, 16.2 ppg.
Tommy Symns, PikeView, 6-0, sophomore, 14 ppg.
Alex Webb, Wyoming East, 6-4, sophomore, 11 ppg.
Honorable mention
Jordan Simon, Philip Barbour
Jewel Short, Philip Barbour
Dale Martin, Lincoln
Josh Harlow, Lincoln
Jared Nelson, Liberty Harrison
David Wamsley, Liberty Harrison
Shea Davis, Liberty Harrison
Seth Elsey, Grafton
Trey Chapman, Braxton County
Skyler McCoy, Webster County
L.J. Campbell, Weir
Nathan Brackenridge, Greenbrier West
Colton Ratcliff, Independence
Anthony Stump, Independence
Erik Davis, Shady Spring
Jon Long, Shady Spring
Clay Owings, Oak Glen
L.J. Campbell, Weir
Taylor Collett, Weir
Zach Perkey, Tyler Consolidated
Matt Sapp, Magnolia
Andrew Robinson, Magnolia
Jon Rine, Magnolia
Brian Sigman, Poca
Justin Maloskey, Sherman
Tyler Deal, Point Pleasant
B.J. Lloyd, Point Pleasant
Carl Shaffer, Scott.
Brian Shaffer, Herbert Hoover
Alex Cole, Ravenswood
Ryan Benson, Ravenswood
Rhett Atkinson, Roane County
Anthony Fuller, Wyoming East
Deandre Leonard, Oak Hill
Ryan Nahodil, Summers County
Cameron Mann, Summers County
Zack Helmondollar, Westside
Chase Perry, Wayne
Derrick Robertson, Tolsia
Austin Richardson, Tolsia
Todd Terry, Chapmanville
Michael Evans, Tug Valley
Austin Vance, Tug Valley
Brian Belcher, James Monroe
Jeremy Green, Keyser
April 2, 2009
BECKLEY - Wyoming East, Oak Hill and Ravenswood spent a majority of the season in the Class AA top three. By The Associated Press
Not surprisingly, those three were among the final four in the Class AA state tournament.
Even less surprising, given that success, five members of the Class AA first-team all-state squad is composed of players from those three teams.
Wyoming East's Gentry Shrewsbury, who finished fifth in voting for state player of the year, is the captain of the team and is joined by teammate Evan Muscari, a junior point guard.
State champion Ravenswood is represented by senior Bruce Patterson, and Oak Hill placed senior Chris Lawson and freshman Jack Flournoy.
Westside's Eric Bailey, Philip Barbour's R.J. Johnson and Sissonville's Caleb Keller round out the first team.
Shrewsbury, a 6-foot-4 senior, averaged 20.3 points and nine rebounds for Wyoming East, which spent most of the year at No. 1 and won 17 straight games before falling to Ravenswood in the state championship game.
"He worked hard,'' said Wyoming East coach Jesse Lester. "That was the thing that stands out. He scored over 1,000 points in his career and he worked hard for every point. He was just a hard matchup inside. He wasn't the biggest guy inside at 6-4, but he played bigger than that because he has a high basketball IQ.''
Shrewsbury was twice named to the Class AA all-tournament team and helped his class to an overall record of 77-6, which included state championships his sophomore and junior years.
Muscari wasn't a scorer for the Warriors, but he did get the ball in the right hands at the right time.
"Evan was our coach on the floor,'' Lester said of the three-year starter. "He went through a shooting slump, but he never let that affect his floor game. He made the right decision almost all of the time. Against Oak Hill [at the Coal Classic in January], he had 10 assists and one turnover and it was as close to a flawless performance from a point guard that I've seen.''
Muscari averaged 8.1 points and 7.6 assists.
BECKLEY - Wyoming East, Oak Hill and Ravenswood spent a majority of the season in the Class AA top three.
Not surprisingly, those three were among the final four in the Class AA state tournament.
Even less surprising, given that success, five members of the Class AA first-team all-state squad is composed of players from those three teams.
Wyoming East's Gentry Shrewsbury, who finished fifth in voting for state player of the year, is the captain of the team and is joined by teammate Evan Muscari, a junior point guard.
State champion Ravenswood is represented by senior Bruce Patterson, and Oak Hill placed senior Chris Lawson and freshman Jack Flournoy.
Westside's Eric Bailey, Philip Barbour's R.J. Johnson and Sissonville's Caleb Keller round out the first team.
Shrewsbury, a 6-foot-4 senior, averaged 20.3 points and nine rebounds for Wyoming East, which spent most of the year at No. 1 and won 17 straight games before falling to Ravenswood in the state championship game.
"He worked hard,'' said Wyoming East coach Jesse Lester. "That was the thing that stands out. He scored over 1,000 points in his career and he worked hard for every point. He was just a hard matchup inside. He wasn't the biggest guy inside at 6-4, but he played bigger than that because he has a high basketball IQ.''
Shrewsbury was twice named to the Class AA all-tournament team and helped his class to an overall record of 77-6, which included state championships his sophomore and junior years.
Muscari wasn't a scorer for the Warriors, but he did get the ball in the right hands at the right time.
"Evan was our coach on the floor,'' Lester said of the three-year starter. "He went through a shooting slump, but he never let that affect his floor game. He made the right decision almost all of the time. Against Oak Hill [at the Coal Classic in January], he had 10 assists and one turnover and it was as close to a flawless performance from a point guard that I've seen.''
Muscari averaged 8.1 points and 7.6 assists.
Ravenswood's Patterson, a 6-4 senior, was the leading scorer on a group that personified the word "team," averaging 14.6 points and just over eight rebounds.
"He had to step into a leadership role this year because we lost so much [from the previous year's team],'' Ravenswood coach Mick Price said. "He did a great job with that. Late in the season, in games against teams like Magnolia, Oak Hill and Wyoming East, it seemed like he hit a lot of big shots. And he always played defense on the top scorers. Even though he was just 6-4 and gave away some height, he did a great job.''
Lawson, a 6-0 senior, finished his career with 1,417 points, fourth all-time at Oak Hill, which in the past had three state players of the year.
"Anybody who knows the history of our school's basketball program knows that's quite an accomplishment,'' Oak Hill coach Fred Ferri said. "Chris was the biggest 6-footer in the state.''
Lawson also excelled in the lost art of the mid-range jumper.
"He scored most of his points off [mid-range jumpers],'' Ferri said. "He's strong enough to get that shot off. He was a hard-nosed player and I know a lot of coaches admired the way Chris played the game.''
Though Flournoy didn't lead the team in many areas, the 6-6 freshman did average 15 points, 9.3 rebounds and close to 3.5 assists.
"He does a lot of things, he has a well-rounded game,'' Ferri said of Flournoy, son of the late John Flournoy, who coached at Mount Hope, Midland Trail and Princeton and was going to be an assistant at Oak Hill when he died in November, 2007. "Growing up with a coach as a father, as Jack did, you can see the way he learned the game by the way he does so many things the right way.''
Westside's Bailey (21 points, 10 rebounds per game) gives Class AA Region 3, Section 2 five players on the all-state team.
"He is the last of a dying breed, a true gym rat,'' Westside coach Nick Cook said. "If the gym was open, he was in it. You have to remember that he put up those numbers even though every team we played knew he was going to get the ball. He did that being double-teamed and sometimes even triple-teamed. That is a credit to all the work he put in.''
Philip Barbour's Johnson averaged 15.3 points and Sissonville's Keller 20.5.
The second team includes Sissonville's Kyle Snyder and Poca's Jason Cuffee. For the complete list, see Page 2B.
Ravenswood's Patterson, a 6-4 senior, was the leading scorer on a group that personified the word "team," averaging 14.6 points and just over eight rebounds.
"He had to step into a leadership role this year because we lost so much [from the previous year's team],'' Ravenswood coach Mick Price said. "He did a great job with that. Late in the season, in games against teams like Magnolia, Oak Hill and Wyoming East, it seemed like he hit a lot of big shots. And he always played defense on the top scorers. Even though he was just 6-4 and gave away some height, he did a great job.''
Lawson, a 6-0 senior, finished his career with 1,417 points, fourth all-time at Oak Hill, which in the past had three state players of the year.
"Anybody who knows the history of our school's basketball program knows that's quite an accomplishment,'' Oak Hill coach Fred Ferri said. "Chris was the biggest 6-footer in the state.''
Lawson also excelled in the lost art of the mid-range jumper.
"He scored most of his points off [mid-range jumpers],'' Ferri said. "He's strong enough to get that shot off. He was a hard-nosed player and I know a lot of coaches admired the way Chris played the game.''
Though Flournoy didn't lead the team in many areas, the 6-6 freshman did average 15 points, 9.3 rebounds and close to 3.5 assists.
"He does a lot of things, he has a well-rounded game,'' Ferri said of Flournoy, son of the late John Flournoy, who coached at Mount Hope, Midland Trail and Princeton and was going to be an assistant at Oak Hill when he died in November, 2007. "Growing up with a coach as a father, as Jack did, you can see the way he learned the game by the way he does so many things the right way.''
Westside's Bailey (21 points, 10 rebounds per game) gives Class AA Region 3, Section 2 five players on the all-state team.
"He is the last of a dying breed, a true gym rat,'' Westside coach Nick Cook said. "If the gym was open, he was in it. You have to remember that he put up those numbers even though every team we played knew he was going to get the ball. He did that being double-teamed and sometimes even triple-teamed. That is a credit to all the work he put in.''
Philip Barbour's Johnson averaged 15.3 points and Sissonville's Keller 20.5.
The second team includes Sissonville's Kyle Snyder and Poca's Jason Cuffee. For the complete list, see Page 2B.
Red Devils bring home second Class AA state title
By Mark Martin The Jackson Herald Sat Mar 21, 2009, 05:32 PM EDT
Ravenswood, W.Va. -
Where there's a will, there's a way. Ravenswood's Red Devils had the will and found the way not once, not twice, but three times last week on the basketball court of the Charleston Civic Center Coliseum.
And by late Saturday afternoon, there they were posing with the Class AA state championship trophy following a title game win over Wyoming East, 62-52. The Warriors had won the last two state titles, including a 52-50 thriller over the Red Devils nearly one year earlier.
"I could not be more proud of my kids," said Red Devil head coach Mick Price following the win over Wyoming East. "I mean they played so hard, and they have played so hard (all season). This has been a great tournament run."
After earning their way to the Civic Center Coliseum by defeating Roane County and Point Pleasant in sectional play and a regional victory over Magnolia, the Devils simply weren't going to be denied.
It wasn't easy, but winning a championship never is. Ravenswood opened with a narrow 45-43 win over a pesky Webster County bunch on Thursday morning in what was the first of six games to be played that day at the CCC.
Next up was a regular season rematch with Oak Hill in the semifinals late Friday morning. Ravenswood's Red Devils outlasted Oak Hill's highly-talented Red Devils in overtime, 40-38, in one of the most exciting of the tournament's 21 games.
Ravenswood's win coupled with Wyoming East's cruise control victory over Tug Valley later in the day set up not only a rematch of last year's state championship game, but also one from earlier in the season in which the Warriors had also won (64-57).
Trailing by one, 29-28, at halftime, Ravenswood put together a nice third quarter to go up by nine heading into the fourth. Despite a few dicey moments, the Devils garnered an impressive 10-point victory.
"It means a lot," said junior Ryan Benson, an all-tournament selection, following the win over Wyoming East. "This is what I've been dreaming about since I was a little kid; this means everything."
For senior Alex Cole it was his third state championship game overall and second experience in winning a title. "It means so much to me; it's kind of hard to put into words," said the well-spoken Cole, who was a freshman on the state championship team of 2006 and a starter on the state runner-up squad in 2008. "I feel lucky to be a part of three state championships (games). I feel blessed to be a part of that."
Price said, "I told Bruce (Patterson) when he came off the floor (against East), That's your reward (the championship win) for all of your hard work. That's your reward for playing in the summer. That's your reward for last year when you get beat by Wyoming East on a tough play at the end of the game.'"
Price praised his three seniors, who won the championship in their final game. "Bruce, Alex and (Andrew) Willis, great job of leadership. They were just great seniors; I couldn't be more proud of them."
They joined forces with juniors Benson and Luke Murray in the starting five and a supporting cast that included sophomores Bobby Rymer and Chad Small. Jeremy Lawrence, Mark Davis, Lance Casto, Zach Martin and Jonas Jelich also dressed for the tournament.
"I knew what our road was (to get to Charleston and win the tournament). I saw it," said Price. "I said, Let's go attack it.' I'm so tickled for all of those kids."
Young men who had the will and found a way in bringing Ravenswood home its second state championship (and only the school's second) trophy in the span of four years.
THE ROAD TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP
Ravenswood 45-Webster 43
When Ravenswood lost to Wyoming East in the state title game of '08, the Devils dug themselves into a deep hole to start the game. Upon their return to the Civic Center Coliseum one year later, they didn't let that happen.
The Devils jumped on the Webster -- making its first state tournament appearance since 1990 -- with a 19-10 lead after one quarter of play. Webster was down, but not out. Ravenswood still owned an eight-point (27-19) cushion at the break. But Webster took advantage of a miserable offensive showing in the third quarter by the Devils, who managed just one point.
Webster wasn't much better with seven but the game grew close. "We got that deer in the headlights look," said Price. "We became tentative. All of a sudden they make some shots, and now it's a game."
Needing a spark, Willis came up with a key three-point play at the 7:10 mark. The senior made a steal, drove in for a scoring layup and drew a foul in the process.
With 1:10 remaining, Willis took a baseball pass and raced in for the score giving Ravenswood a six-point lead. Patterson added two free throws a bit later and the Devils appeared to be in good shape out in front by eight.
Webster hung around, though, and made it interesting to the very end before the Devils, who never trailed, prevailed with the 45-43 win and earning the right to play on semifinal Friday.
"Game one in the state tournament is a trap," said Price. "It's a trap for every team. It's the toughest game to prepare for. They (Webster) were very athletic on the perimeter.
Murray led Ravenswood in scoring with 16 points. Benson and Patterson each had eight with Willis supplying seven and Cole six. Benson was the top rebounder with six and Cole had three steals. Skyler McCoy led Webster with 13.
Ravenswood 40-Oak Hill 38, OT
No team was more impressive in its opening round game than Oak Hill. The Red Devils blew out Philip Barbour, 84-52, to reach the semis and set up a rematch from the regular season with Ravenswood (which won that game, 46-34).
The win came long before Oak Hill got its high-powered offense in gear. Although having lost three times to No. 1 seed Wyoming East, the second-seeded Red Devils from Fayette County were the only team to defeat the Warriors during the season.
"We knew they wanted that game at a very high tempo," said Price of the showdown with Oak Hill. "We knew we had to make them play. You can't go up and down the court with them. They put on a clinic (against Philip Barbour) and it scared me to death. We tried to establish a game plan that would put us in a position for success."
And the Devils from Jackson County were successful in implementing that plan. Oak Hill owned a slim two-point lead after eight minutes (15-13) and it held up at halftime (26-24). With a deliberate style, Ravenswood managed to outscore Oak Hill 6-5 and 5-4 in the third and fourth quarters, respectively. Those two periods led to a 35-35 tie at the end of regulation. Two crucial free throws by Cole with five seconds remaining got the game into the extra session.
In the additional four minutes of play, Benson's two free throws put Ravenswood up, 37-35. But Oak Hill regained the lead on a big-time 3-pointer by their big-time freshman, Jack Flournoy. The ninth grader's shot came with just 41 seconds to play.
A layup by Benson put Ravenswood back on top, 39-38, with 15 seconds to go in OT. Willis made the first of two free throws with four seconds remaining to give Ravenswood a two-point edge.
Ravenswood survived a Flournoy 3-pointer, which hit the front end of the rim as time expired, to gain entry into the Class AA championship game.
"When they shot the ball, we put a body on someone and would go get the rebound," said Cole, who finished with four points along with three steals and three assists. "I thought we executed that game plan."
Ravenswood held a slight rebounding edge, 27-26, over the much taller Red Devils from Oak Hill. Murray had seven of those boards. Benson was Ravenswood's top scorer with 12 points with Patterson also hitting for double figures with 10. Murray, who dished out four assists in the game, and Willis each added seven points. Chris Lawson had 18 for Oak Hill with Flournoy delivering 12.
Ravenswood 62-Wyoming East 52
Unlike a year ago, the Devils were right in the game with Wyoming East after the first period leading by one, 18-17. The Warriors managed to go up by a point at halftime, 29-28.
The third quarter was the difference as Ravenswood outscored East, 17-7. And while there were some tense moments Ravenswood won going away.
While Alex Webb (17 points) and Anthony Fuller (15 points) did plenty of scoring, Ravenswood managed to keep all-stater Gentry Shrewsbury in check with just nine. "Eliminating Shrewsbury's touches," said Price, "that was our goal."
Price said his team just remembered the long bus ride back to Ravenswood a year ago after the championship loss. "It seemed like it took four hours," he said.
Patterson put Ravenswood ahead, 30-29, with a layup at the 7:43 mark of the third quarter. Little did anyone know at the time that the Red Devils would be in the lead the rest of the game. Ravenswood built up a six-point advantage before Benson virtually put the game away for good with his uncharacteristic 3-pointer at the buzzer.
The shot propelled the Devils to a 45-36 advantage going into the final eight minutes. "He was trying to run the (offensive) set, but Bruce got covered up," said Price. "He did what a good player does; he needed to make a play."
The Devils were up by as many as 14 in the fourth quarter and the celebration was on for that second state title in four years. Murray and Patterson, Ravenswood's leading scorers throughout the season, fittingly led the way in the championship game with 14 points each. Cole had 13 and Benson put in 11. Willis finished with eight while Rymer came off the bench and hit two free throws.
Again, Ravenswood owned a slight rebounding edge, 28-27, against a taller opponent. The win of all wins gave Ravenswood a final record of 22-6. East closed out at 26-2. "They're a good team, they're strong," said Benson. "But we just fought and fought and never gave up."
03/21/2009
Wheeling Central Claims 10th Hoops Title Staff
Charleston Civic Center
The Wheeling Central Maroon Knights are once again the champions of Class A basketball in West Virginia. Central claimed its 10th state championship Saturday afternoon with a 49-43 hard fought victory over Charleston Catholic.
The enthusiastic crowd at the Charleston Civic Center was treated to a tight game that was tied at 35 after three quarters, but Central's bench played a large role in the final 8 minutes to make the difference.
The Maroon Knights got 21 points from its reserves, while Charleston Catholic, making its 5th straight championship game appearance, had just two points from the bench.
A very low-scoring first half had Central leading 18-17, but each team scored that many in the third. The Maroon Knights were keyed by Jordan Sorge's four three pointers in the second half.
Wheeling Central Coach Mel Stevens says he's humble to be part of the great tradition that is Maroon Knight basketball.
Sam Wood led the way for Charleston Catholic. Wood completed an outstanding tournament with 13 points. Fellow Irish John Paul Tupta contributed 11.
The Class A All-Tournament team included Sorge, Wood, Matt Goolsby of Charleston Catholic, Cody Koehler and D'onte Long of Wheeling Central, Davon Marion of Mount Hope, Matewan's Colton Copley and Ethan Slaubaugh of Tucker County.
The School Spirit award went to St. Marys while the Sportsmanship award was claimed by Tucker County.
03/21/2009
Martinsburg Completes Sweep of WV Teams Staff
Charleston Civic Center
The Martinsburg Bulldogs won their first state boys basketball championship since 1994 with a 53-52 win over the South Black Eagles Saturday night at the Civic Center in Charleston.
Senior guard Isaac Thornton made two free throws with five seconds left to put his team on top. The Bulldogs survived a furious game-ending flurry from South Charleston that included a drive from SC guard Tyler Harris, a tip attempt by Pierra Henry and an after-the-buzzer tip-in by senior Aaron Slusher.
Thornton went to the line for the game-winning shots after being fouled by State Player of the Year Aaron Dobson, who committed his fifth foul on the play. Thornton was sprinting up the sideline in front of his team's bench after Henry missed the front-end of a 1 and 1 with 11.3 seconds remaining in the game.
Martinsburg, which held the lead for most of the game, fell behind 52-50 after Dobson hit only his second three-pointer of the night with less than 30-seconds remaining in the contest.
The Bulldogs, which finished the season at 26-2 and perfect against West Virginia competition, were led in scoring by Thornton's 15 and back-up post player Kirk Hairston's 14 points. Henry had 13 and Dobson 12 for the Black Eagles.
South Charleston (26-2) was dogged by poor shooting (38.2 percent) for most of the night. Martinsburg Coach Dave Rogers credited his team's defensive effort, especially Cameron Cato on Dobson.
Rogers also said the breaks went his team's way down the stretch. "You've gotta have a litle luck," he told MetroNews after the game. "It's breaks. A steal here or there can change things."
The victory brings Martinsburg, the top-rated team in the MetroNews Power Index, its first boys title since 1994. South Charleston remains winless in the state championship game since a victory in 1959.
