Magnolia Blue Eagles Roll Out 2008-09 Team
Magnolia’s ascent to the West Virginia Class-AA Football Championship delayed by a few weeks the roll out of the 2008-09 Blue Eagle Basketball team.
But Head Coach Dave Tallman was confident about his team’s first challenge of the year against Monroe Central that tipped off Tuesday after press time.
Magnolia had a balanced team that was as deep as it was talented during the 2007-2008 season that ended with a crushing loss to Weir in the West Virginia Class AA, Region I final.
Graduated are four starters – and the team’s leading scorers – and overall, six of the first eight players to see the court.
Colt Street is playing at Wheeling Jesuit and was the team’s leading scorer. Luke Seavy, Zach Fox, Jake Blatt, Ben Bridgeman, and Scott Berry have exited.
Returning following the close of football season is junior post player and center Jared Blatt; junior Andy Huggins, who also will play at center; and sophomore Traeh Keller at guard.
Reloading it may be, as Tallman wasn’t joking when he admitted there were a lot of question marks entering the season, adding “when you’re taking 53 points out of your average, and you average 70, you have your work cut out for you.”
Blatt averaged 11.5 points as a sophomore and might have the skills to average a double-double. Robinson also is a capable scorer who can play on both sides of the ball.
In addition, fans can expect Tallman to utilize a bigger lineup early and take advantage of its size in the post. Senior Jon Rine (6-3) is back at forward, along with junior forward Josh Yost (6-5). Rine’s brother, Mason Rine, (6-1) is expected to contribute, as is junior guard Landon Herrick.
There also is a talented sophomore class. In addition to Keller, there is Jordan Moore, Matt Sapp, Drew Simmons, Tanner Martin, and Leif Lallathin.
Magnolia will field a freshman team that is 10 players strong and Tallman said there is quite a bit of talent in the current eighth-grade class at New Martinsville School, so he sees a bright future for the Blue Eagles.
The coach also feels the present could be as well, but it all depends on how the many new faces mesh with the few old.
“We lost a tremendous senior class last year, but we hope to feed off the football team’s success and get off to a great start.”
Magnolia Blue Eagles Roll Out 2008-09 Team
Pictured is the 2008-09 edition of the Magnolia Blue Eagle Basketball Team and coaching staff. Kneeling, from left, are Matthew Sapp, Jonathan Rine, Andrew Robinson, Dustin Ours, Traeh Keller and Landon Herrick. Standing are Assistant Coach Mark Blair, Mason Rine, Andy Huggins, Jared Blatt, Head Coach Dave Tallman, Joshua Yost, Jordan Moore and Assistant Coach Larry West. (Photo by Bill Abraham)
Magnolia’s ascent to the West Virginia Class-AA Football Championship delayed by a few weeks the roll out of the 2008-09 Blue Eagle Basketball team.
But Head Coach Dave Tallman was confident about his team’s first challenge of the year against Monroe Central that tipped off Tuesday after press time.
Magnolia had a balanced team that was as deep as it was talented during the 2007-2008 season that ended with a crushing loss to Weir in the West Virginia Class AA, Region I final.
Graduated are four starters – and the team’s leading scorers – and overall, six of the first eight players to see the court.
Colt Street is playing at Wheeling Jesuit and was the team’s leading scorer. Luke Seavy, Zach Fox, Jake Blatt, Ben Bridgeman, and Scott Berry have exited.
Returning following the close of football season is junior post player and center Jared Blatt; junior Andy Huggins, who also will play at center; and sophomore Traeh Keller at guard.
Reloading it may be, as Tallman wasn’t joking when he admitted there were a lot of question marks entering the season, adding “when you’re taking 53 points out of your average, and you average 70, you have your work cut out for you.”
Blatt averaged 11.5 points as a sophomore and might have the skills to average a double-double. Robinson also is a capable scorer who can play on both sides of the ball.
In addition, fans can expect Tallman to utilize a bigger lineup early and take advantage of its size in the post. Senior Jon Rine (6-3) is back at forward, along with junior forward Josh Yost (6-5). Rine’s brother, Mason Rine, (6-1) is expected to contribute, as is junior guard Landon Herrick.
There also is a talented sophomore class. In addition to Keller, there is Jordan Moore, Matt Sapp, Drew Simmons, Tanner Martin, and Leif Lallathin.
Magnolia will field a freshman team that is 10 players strong and Tallman said there is quite a bit of talent in the current eighth-grade class at New Martinsville School, so he sees a bright future for the Blue Eagles.
The coach also feels the present could be as well, but it all depends on how the many new faces mesh with the few old.
“We lost a tremendous senior class last year, but we hope to feed off the football team’s success and get off to a great start.”