Boys Basketball Preview 2022

Bellaire Ready To Take Next Step In The Right Direction In Ohio D-III

BELLAIRE — When J.R. Battista takes a step back and reflects on the 2021-22 basketball season, he called it a “step in the right direction.” As his Bellaire Big Reds prepare for the upcoming season, which won’t begin for them until Dec. 10, the reigning Division III Eastern District Coach of the Year expects additional steps in that direction this winter as a solid core of players return. “We were competitive in most games last year, but we still had trouble closing some of them out,” Battista said of his team, which finished 13-10 and bowed out in the sectional co-final ...

Magnolia Eyeing Return To Class AA State Tournament

NEW MARTINSVILLE — Last year was a thrilling ride for the Magnolia boys’ basketball team. After reaching the state tournament in 2020 only to see it get canceled due to COVID, the Blue Eagles made a much-deserved return trip to Charleston last year. Although the Eagles fell to No. 1 ranked Poca, it was certainly a satisfying season for coach Dave Tallman and his crew. “We were thrilled to make it to the state tournament last year,” Tallman said. “We had to play No. 1 Poca and Isaac McNeely who is playing for Virginia University now. The task was tough but really gave our ...

Tyler Consolidated Trying To Build Off Of Football Momemtum

Tyler Consolidated boys’ coach Steven Nutter is hoping his team can build off of the success the football team had in reaching the Class A state playoffs this season. The Silver Knights will be led by a large group of seniors in Hayden Brown, Connor Bailey, Garon Broughman, Mason Nichols, Garson Gorby and Brody Seckman with juniors Zade Billings, Ethan Clark, Jayce Miller and Jake Lancaster. Sophomore candidates include Brady Strode, Colby Nicols, Layton Gorrell, Tripp Perrine and Jason Keller. There is also a huge freshman class in Bo Tallman, Reese Davis, Brody Giovinazzo, ...

St. Clairsville Must Replace 4 Starters With Not Much Experience

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Ryan Clifford enters his fifth season at the helm of St. Clairsville’s boys basketball program with a lot of reasons to be excited. However, he also has several reasons for concern. That type of roller coaster of emotions happens when you lose four starters from 13-win team and return a roster that has just three players in the upper two grades. “For the first time since I’ve been the head coach, we’ll be replacing basically everyone, but I couldn’t be more excited about this team because, maybe for the first time, we don’t have a target on our backs, ...

Shadyside’s Ed Andes Nearing Career Victory No. 400

SHADYSIDE - Ed Andes has scripted countless successful seasons in his 25 years as head coach of the Shadyside boys’ basketball program. Last year’s campaign was one of the most enjoyable. Andes guided his Tigers to a 17-7 mark en route to another OVAC 2A championship, besting nemesis Wheeling Central in the title game. In addition, the Orange again advanced to the district tournament. Andes, who is approaching the coveted 400-win plateau at his alma mater, has seven OVAC crowns and 13 district berths on his resume. He has the distinction of playing in the regional and coaching a ...

Beallsville Will Field Co-Ed Team This Winter Due To Numbers

BEALLSVILLE – Beallsville High School has been a school steeped in tradition for most of its existence, with the Blue Devil basketball programs commonly putting together impressive records and collecting various team and individual awards despite the small size of the school. This winter, Beallsville will do something relatively unseen in the basketball landscape of the Ohio Valley: field a co-ed team. Hamstrung with low numbers, there will be a scant 10 players suiting up for the Big Blue on the hardwood; seven boys and three girls. Under Ohio High School Athletic Association rules, a ...