Well I took in another WVU men’s basketball game this past Wednesday, as they hosted the TCU Horned Frogs. I’m not sure where some of these schools get their nicknames but this one has a long history. We won’t get into it very much only to say they looked like a bunch of toads jumping around trying to keep up with a much more talented group of Mountaineers. The home team looked good as they led by as many as 17 before the Frogs cut it to two with five minutes remaining. This time the Mountaineers fought back, keeping everyone in their seats until the end, winning 74-65. It was a great game to watch. One of the highlights was the local Sistersville Junior Athletes taking the floor at halftime to play basketball. They put on a good display and then got to enjoy the Mountaineer victory.

Early last week we had quite the discussion on local sports in the office at New Martinsville when we were paid a visit by Magnolia hall of fame coach Dave Cisar. When you get him and Sistersville historian Randy Rutherford together you’re going to hear some good stories. Those two not only can tell them they re-live them. Also paying a visit was one of the areas better runners back in the day, John Yevuta stopped by to relate a few stories. Back in 1979 when the Wheeling Distance Race was sponsored by Elby’s, John ran a 1:12 I believe, which if you figure it out is right at six minutes per mile for 12.4 miles. It’s still not hard to catch John out for a brisk walk or see him slowly jogging down the streets of New Martinsville.

Randy’s first coaching job out of college was under coach Cisar at Magnolia where Coach also had Bob Ripley. Put those three together and you have a winning recipe. Randy knows a thing or two about the game and claims he learned a lot of it from Cisar. He went on to have success at Nicholas County a school that was struggling to win. In a short time he turned the program around and put them on the winning track. Ripley of course is known as a defensive specialist, but there is no doubt he is more than that. The winning ways of these three gentlemen would be hard to duplicate. One thing I want to say, they all have respect for each other and for the kids who played for them.

One of the the nation’s largest high school conference wrestling tournaments took place Thursday, January 19 – 21 at Wesbanco Arena in Wheeling. This year’s 69th Annual Ron Mauck OVAC Wrestling Tournament featured nearly 500 wrestlers competing over the three-day period, and more than 40 schools taking part. Saturday night had the crowning of 14 individual champions. Congratulations to River High School senior Marshal Bier, who finished second in the 285 lb division, his only loss of the season as he finished 25-1. Also to Magnolia high school senior, Lucas Zombotti, who placed sixth in the 132 pound class. He lost a 5-2 decision and finished the season with a record of 30-6.

I want to give a shout out to all the coaches in the area who are sending in their basketball scores. We’re doing our best to take in as many games as possible, but even when weáre there we often journey off to another game taking place close by. On some nights we have three or four or more games going on at the same time. Just the past two days we covered nine games between three of us, and were able to get scores and pictures. Thanks goes out as well to the scorekeepers who often send us stats.

Now for some disappointing news. While checking on scores from some of the Middle school ballgames, I found out that several area games have been cancelled due to the lack of officials. That should never happen. For you younger guys or gals who want to help out while making some extra bucks, sign up and be an official. There are opportunities in all sports. If you played the game or just love sports, get with the program. A good friend of mine started out doing youth league and middle school games and is now a big time NCAA basketball official. You never know where it could lead you.

As we are drawing closer to basketball playoffs, I want to wish all the schools good luck and let’s send a team or two to Charleston.