Boys Basketball Preview 2023

Patriots Return To Court With Chip On Shoulder

WHEELING — The 2023-24 season for the Wheeling Park Patriots affords another chance for coach Michael Jebbia’s team to compete against some of the best teams in the state, and to right the wrongs of a season which ended in devastating fashion in the regional championship. “We had a heartbreaking loss last year, and this year we’re looking to play fast, we’ve got some really good shooters and we’re very athletic all-around,” junior Aiden Davis said. “We’re looking to use that and make it down to the state tournament this year.” After being on the wrong end of a ...

Knights Get Rare ‘Run Back’ Season

WHEELING — Part of a high school program is the yearly turnover, replacing the seniors that you’ve lost– often some of the most important pieces of the past year– with new faces and a new look. That is not the case for the Wheeling Central Catholic Maroon Knights this season. “We actually, for the first time since I’ve been coaching, we return everybody,” Wheeling Central head coach Mel Stephens said. “We had no seniors last year. One of our best players, Eli Sancomb, didn’t play last year because he got hurt in the football season. We’ve got the 11 that played plus ...

Dragons Hope To Repeat Success With New Look

CAMERON — Although the majority of its roster is made up of freshmen and sophomores, Cameron Head Boys Basketball Coach Tom Hart says likes the mix of youth and experience with his 2023-2024 squad. “This is a very interesting and intriguing group this season,” said Hart, who enters his 8th season at the helm of the Dragons. “Without question, this is a very young team; the bulk of the team are freshmen and sophomores. However, we have kids that love the sport, are willing to work hard, work together and make each other better. I like the mix of players we have.” Despite ...

Linsly Cadets Restock The Cupboards For Far-Reaching Schedule

WHEELING — It’s a new year for the Linsly Cadets, which means by-and-large a new group of athletes for head coach Dave Wojcik to work with. It’s an exciting challenge for the fifth-year head coach. “I’m really enjoying this team, they’re fun to work with,” Wojcik said. “Those are the challenges I like, I like teaching, I like explaining the game, and when you have new guys you have to do that every year so I don’t get stale with the same guys every year.” Entering the 2023-24 season, Linsly looks to be improved in multiple areas-- starting with their depth, which ...

Monarchs Young In Nau’s First Season

MOUNDSVILLE — There will be a new coach guiding the John Marshall boys basketball team for the 2023-24 season. Joel Nau will take over the reins as he replaces Chad Clutter after Clutter stepped down as coach after six seasons. “It’s going to be daunting. Chad leaves some pretty big footprints to follow and shoes to fill,” Nau said. “He did a great job with the program and kids. Just in our section alone, we play two of the best teams in the state. We’re not thinking about that right now. We’re just learning right now. “I’m learning about them and they’re ...

All Upperclassmen For Bellaire

BELLAIRE — When it comes to the 2022-23 season, one of the best ways to describe it for the Bellaire boys basketball team is a roller coaster ride. “We finished up last year at 14-8,” Big Reds coach J.R. Battista said. ”We had a very up-and-down year. We started the year 10-0 or 11-0. It was not quite the ending you’d like to have, but that’s how it goes sometimes.” The Big Reds’ varsity roster will comprise of all upperclassmen with four seniors and seven juniors. Bellaire will be returning three starters including senior Mayson Socher, who averaged 20 points and 12 ...