Congratulations to all area athletes who were named to the Wheeling and Martins Ferry All-Valley spring sports teams which were announced last Tuesday. Some of the best in the valley are right here in our small schools. Junior Laken Dawson of Valley high school was chosen as one of the captains of the girls All-Valley track and field team. Dawson has been a gold winner at the state track meet since her sophomore year when she won the long jump. This year as a junior she claimed the gold in the 200 meter dash.

Also congratulations to Magnolia’s Finn Loy on being selected to the All-State Baseball second team as an infielder. Finn had a great junior season for the Blue Eagles and is looking for big things his senior year.

Named to the All-OVAC baseball first team this year was River’s Peyton Blue, Trevor Martin from Valley, Brayden Byers of Magnolia, and Kaden Myers of Paden City.

Over the years we have produced many of the best in the state. I am working to compile a list of All-State athletes from Wetzel and Tyler Counties. I hope to have it finished in a few weeks.

I have been watching as much of the NBA playoffs as I can stomach, with all the contact, and other violations, especially traveling, it’s pretty hard to take. I will say this, there is definitely a lot more talent with players who can step across mid-court and fire up the 3-ball. Going to the basket you see more slam ducks than layins. And that is a result of more height and athleticism.

The Indiana Pacers tied the series 3-3 at home on Thursday night with a 17 point win over the Thunder, forcing game seven on Sunday in Oklahoma City. On Sunday night the Thunder won their first ever championship in the franchise’s Oklahoma era, with a 103-92 victory in a game that featured 11 lead changes. It was an exciting series to say the least, but in my opinion it doesn’t compare to the old LA Lakers/ Boston Celtics matchups.

The Ohio Valley Ironmen continue to roll over the competition in the International Professional Football League. Much of the team is made up of ex-local high school and college players. Coach of the team is Manny Matsakis of Shadyside who brings a wealth of experience to the field and is known for producing high scoring games through a hard to defend passing attack. In their first three games they are averaging over 50 points while holding the opposition scoreless. Games are played on the John Marshall high school field on Saturday nights. After winning their first game over Cincinnati 45-0 on June 7, they crushed Erie Express 39-0 the following week and this past Saturday they easily defeated the Tennessee Hornets 82-0. The score was 40-0 early in the first half and 69-0 after three quarters. The Ironmens next game will be at home on July 5 vs. Cincinnati Dukes. Games start at 7 pm.

The Sistersville park looks like the place to be this summer as kids and adults really seem to be enjoying themselves. The pickleball courts have been very busy and the summer basketball league is in full swing. There has been action on the baseball fields and the swimming pool has been the place to be for all ages. With the hot weather taking over, a nice dip in the pool is always something the kids look forward to. Sistersville park and pool does a nice job year-in-and-year-out providing their youth with a nice place to enjoy their summer.

I was able to travel up to the Lake this past week for a little fishing trip, however the wind had the lake in an uproar, so we decided to forfeit the boat trip and catch a few from shore. We hauled in a few Yellow Perch and some nice size Walleye. The Shoreline around Edgewater Park was crowded with fishermen, and the park also had lots of families picnicking and playing in the water. We were running short on time, but did manage to stop at the Big Boy Restaurant on the West End of Cleveland for some Strawberry Pie before heading home.

There is lots to do in the summer months. Even if you can’t get away for vacation, head for the local swimming pools and playgrounds. Practice your sports skills, get in some workouts, or just take a nice evening walk. Don’t forget in just a few short weeks all the fairs and festivals will be starting back up and not long after that another school year will return.

It’s going to be weird going by Paden City high school and not seeing kids entering the building. I recently watched as they removed the bleachers from the football field and I remembered the days when they were filled to capacity. I wish the best to all the kids who will be entering new surroundings this coming fall.

One of Yogi Berra’s famous quotes was “It ain’t over till it’s over.” Another of his was “The future ain’t what it used to be.” Here are two more! “Take it with a grin of salt.” And “We were overwhelming underdogs.” All of them can apply to the local school closings. I hope all the displaced kids find the education they need, while making new friends and getting better opportunities to prepare them for their futures.