Basketball Preview 2016

Chumney Takes Over at Trail

By KIM NORTH OLD WASHINGTON — Gary Chumney is in his first season as coach of the Buckeye Trail boys’ basketball team. But he is no stranger to the Warriors program after serving as an assistant to Darin Wilson last year. He also coached in the girls’ program for 10 years. The rookie head coach is already dealing with some adversity as two projected starters — 5-foot-8 senior guard Justin Jones and 5-7 senior guard CJ McCall — are sidelined indefinitely. Jones sustained a broken wrist in two places in a scrimmage and McCall was to undergo a medical ...

Jets Look to Get Back to OVAC Title Game

By RICK THORP MORRISTOWN — During Kelley Hanlon’s tenure as head coach of the Union Local girls’ basketball team, her team has taken on many different looks with numerous players playing key roles. But while the faces have changed, the success hasn’t. And as the Jets prepare to take flight on their fourth season under Hanlon’s guidance Monday night at River, expectations are high again inside ‘The Hangar.’ ‘‘I’m very excited about this team, I really am,’’ Hanlon said. ‘‘They’re a group of kids that want to work very hard, and they’ve done ...

Brand New Starting Lineup for Union Local Boys

By SETH STASKEY MORRISTOWN — During the last several seasons, Union Local’s basketball program has attained high levels of success. Whether it was an OVAC title or a district title, the Jets have been soaring. As the 2016-17 season is just a few days away, Jets fans may need a program or roster for the first few weeks because there are new faces abounding. Included is that of the head coach. Ben Porter stepped aside to focus on his duties as superintendent and handed the reins to long-time assistant and UL product Zach Delman. “It’s been an ...

Edwards Steps in at Ferry for Sabatino

By BUBBA KAPRAL Executive Sports Editor MARTINS FERRY — Derek Edwards is stepping into a new role this basketball season. It is one in which he has some awfully big shoes to fill. Edwards replaces longtime and ultra-successful Jeff Sabatino as Martins Ferry’s head boys’ hoop coach. Sabatino guided the Purple Riders for 24 seasons, winning some 350 games while earning four regional berths. Edwards, a former all-Ohio point guard under Sabatino’s tutelage, relishes the challenge. “It’s been a lot of fun so far. There is a lot of excitement. This really ...