Basketball Preview 2017

Lombardo Excited About Team

By ED LOOMAN STEUBENVILLE — Jeff Lombardo admits to being excited as he prepares the Steubenville girls’ team for its season. “I really am excited to coach this season’s team,” Lombardo, who is entering his third campaign leading Big Red, said. “We have a great group of girls who are committed to improving on a daily basis. “These girls welcome coaching and they all want to take a big step forward from last season. I’m very happy about that and very pleased with the attitude this team has shown during pre-season practices.” Lombardo posted a 26-22 record in his ...

Valley Boys Are Seasoned

By BUBBA KAPRAL PINE GROVE — John Kocher and Valley basketball are synonymous. Kocher is embarking on his 22nd season as coach of the Lumberjacks with a squad well-stocked in numbers (17 players) and a nice blend of experience and youth. The Lumberjacks boast a roster featuring five seniors, two juniors, seven sophomore and three freshmen. Valley tasted some modest success last winter, winning 12 of 23 starts while placing third in the Hometown Invitational. The Lumberjacks just missed out on making the OVAC playoffs, finishing fifth. The Wetzel Countians can build on that ...

Palmer, Lumberjills Look To Get Back to Title Game

By BUBBA KAPRAL PINE GROVE — These are good times for the Valley Lumberjills. Coach Jeff Derby’s charges are coming off a banner season. And with one of the OVAC’s premier players back in the fold, more success is likely on tap for this winter. Valley posted a sparkling 15-8 record last season. Along the way, the Lumberjills advanced to the OVAC Tournament championship game. Derby must replace three starters lost via graduation. Their departures are cushioned by the return of Sophie Palmer. The multi-talented 5-foot-6 senior has established herself as one of the best ...

Hundred Girls Have No Seniors

By BUBBA KAPRAL HUNDRED — No seniors, no problem. Hundred girls’ basketball coach Steve Dakan is optimistic about his team’s chances this season despite its extremely youthful look. The 2017-18 Hornets roster is comprised of five juniors, one sophomore and five promising freshmen. Graduation claimed the services of a solid and deep class of performers — Valerie Soles, Madeline Goff, Mady Wheeler, Macy Long, Miranda Gray, Hailey Eastham, Rachel Watson and Caitlyn Keller. “We will compete and play hard from the tip-off to the final buzzer,” Dakan said. “What we ...

Youth Will Be Served at Hundred

By BUBBA KAPRAL HUNDRED — Youth is being served at Hundred this winter. The Hornets feature just one underclassmen on their 14-player roster. Travis McCoy is a talented 6-5 junior letterman. He must provide the leadership this season as the balance of the squad is composed of freshmen and sophomores. Graduation claimed 1,000-point scorer Danny Stewart as well as Devon Kimble, Tyler Norris and Charlie Matthews. “We are a very young team with only one upperclassman, but the ones who are out want to be here and are working very hard,” Coach Virgil Wilkins said. “These ...

Boggs, TC Hope Success Rubs Off

By TRACY WATSON KIDWELL — As usual, Coach Richard Summers’ Tyler Consolidated volleyball team has cut into practice for the girls’ basketball team with another run to the state tournament. And, as usual, fourth-year coach Cathy Boggs and assistant Ben Thomas couldn’t be happier about their success and the attitude those girls bring to the basketball team when they do arrive. “We have three starters on the volleyball team and they are coming off what has become an annual trip to the state tournament,” Boggs said. “These girls work so well together at everything they do ...