The Hundred high school girls basketball team is having quite the season. I have had the opportunity to watch them four times this year and can say I am very impressed with them. As of this writing they are -1 with their only loss coming at the hands of a talented Cameron team.

Coach of the team is Jeremy Kelch who’s assisted by Terry Riter. Both coaches have worked hard with the team. They are an impressive group despite not having a senior on the team. They play tough non-stop basketball, going for all the loose balls and playing tough defense. By this time next season they could very well be contenders for the state tournament.

Speaking of good teams, River boys and girls teams are very good this year and should do well come playoff time. The boys have only lost twice so far and the girls lost their first one of the season to Proctorville Fairfield one of the better teams in the state.

I really hated to hear of the passing of Tom Tisher, he was a gentleman and a fine Coach. Tom was the kinda guy who would do anything to better his kids. He was all about teaching the kids the right way to do things. It’s tough to lose people like him. He was not only a good coach but also a fine person. As athletic director we could always count on him getting information to us. He did it when he coached and he did as A.D. Those who played for him or coached with him will tell you, it’s no surprise he won over 400 girls basketball games between River and Magnolia. His work ethic was amazing and he taught that to his players. It’s hard to replace people like him!

When Paden City boys basketball team traveled out to TCHS for a matchup with the Silver Knights last week, it was something to see as the Wildcats head coach Jerald Bailey had to figure out how to stop Conner Bailey, his son who is the starting point guard for Tyler Consolidated.

Coach Bailey had this to say! “When I considered taking on the role as Paden City’s head basketball coach I asked my son Connor, If I take this job, I’ll miss your senior season, are you ok with that?” In which his reply was “Dad…you haven’t missed a game since my 3rd grade, I will be fine, chase your dream.”

Coach Bailey said, It was right then that he knew he and Sara Judge had raised a good man. âAs a coach I have had the privilege to teach, and develop a lot of talented players and take great pride watching them turn into successful adults. My son Connor Bailey has exceeded my every expectation as a player and a young man. Tonight is a first for us as we will be on opposite teams. It has been fun these last few weeks teasing each other, and it truly has brought smiles to our faces.ã He added this will a night we both will remember for a long time. I love my #1 Tyler Knight, but as long as I am the head coach at Paden City I will bleed green and white.

Jeff Fox one of Paden City’s All-Time great athletes stopped in to see me last week. Jeff was a first team All-State athlete for the Wildcats in Football and Baseball. He’s also the father of Magnolia graduate Justin (Tank) Fox who will be inducted into the OVAC Hall Of Fame this year. Justin who lettered four years for the Mountaineers as a baseball player, and won the Kennedy award for the top high school football player his senior year in high school now lives in Rivesville, WV. Congratulations to Justin!

Lots of good sports taking place, including the upcoming 69th Ron Mauck OVAC Wrestling Tournament to be held at WesBanco Arena on January 19 through 21. If you’ve never been to this event you are missing out on one of the premier wrestling tournaments in the country. Over 500 wrestlers will compete during the three day event.

We’re about mid-way through the winter sports season and so far very few cancellations. Lets hope things stay that way and we can get a full season of sports for the first time in three years. Good luck to all the area athletes.