Basketball Preview 2016

Purple Riders Loaded With Freshmen

By KIM NORTH MARTINS FERRY — Martins Ferry enjoyed a banner year in 2015-16 as it claimed the Buckeye 8 and Division III sectional tournament titles while going 16-8. It fell to Garaway in the district semifinals in Byesville. However, two key pieces of the Purple Riders successful campaign picked up their diplomas. They include Shaye DeLeonardis and Tyrah King. “They were our leaders and brought a lot to the table,” fifth-year head coach and alumnus Lindsay Coyne said. “They will be greatly missed.” Easing some of that loss are four seniors who are all ...

Shamrocks Not Satisfied

By SETH STASKEY BARNESVILLE — Jamie Carpenter knows winning should always be cherished. That’s why the veteran Barnesville coach won’t even begin to complain about the fact that his team has won 29 games in the last two seasons. Though he’s not complaining, he admits that he’s not satisfied. “It’s not where we hope or want to be and hopefully we’re due to break through,” Carpenter said. “Our goals remain the same in terms of qualifying for the OVAC Tournament and winning the sectional and going from there.” Last season, the Shamrocks finished ...

Warriors Ready For Next Step

By KIM NORTH OLD WASHINGTON — After winning 11 games in his first season as head coach of the Buckeye Trail girls basketball program, Chris Starr is ready for his Warriors to take the next step this winter. With his top seven players returning — the 2015-16 squad didn’t include a senior — things are looking bright. “We have two seniors and five juniors back who all played last season,” Starr, a former University of Michigan baseball player and Ohio Valley Athletic Conference Hall of Famer, said. “We won more games last year than the program has in a good while, so ...

’Rocks Hope to Build Off Success

By RICK THORP BARNESVILLE — The Barnesville football team provided the Shamrock faithful with a thrilling grid campaign this fall, driving to the second round of the Ohio Division VI, Region 23 playoffs. Barnesville boys’ basketball coach Chris Pack hopes his squad can follow suit. The Shamrocks hit the court Dec. 2 at home against Buckeye Trail with high expectations and plenty of firepower from last year’s 7-16 squad back in the fold. ‘‘A lot of our key components are back,’’ Pack said. ‘‘And they are a little bit stronger, a little bit bigger, a ...

Harrison Central Figures To Be Explosive

By SETH STASKEY CADIZ — Harrison Central has hung its hat on the defensive end of the floor the last few seasons. As Justin Clifford begins his eighth season at the Huskies helm, defense will still be a major factor, but scoring is expected to be a strength. “We’ve gotten a lot of shots up from the summer, open gyms and now into practice,” Clifford said. “I don’t think we’ll defend as well because we lost some tremendous athletes, but we’re still going to get after it on that end of the floor.” While everyone has to replace pieces, Clifford is ...

Yourkovich, Huskies Relying on Large Senior Class

By BUBBA KAPRAL CADIZ — Nick Yourkovich has built a rock-solid program in his seven years at the Harrison Central helm. During that time, his Huskies have OVAC and sectional titles on their resume. Despite the loss of three talented hoopsters via graduation, don’t look for an end to the winning ways Yourkovich has ingrained. Picking up their diplomas last May following outstanding careers with the Lady Huskies were Paige Richards, D.J. Keesey and Shianne Nameth. Keesey is continuing her academic and hoop careers at Bluffton University. “I think we are going to be ...