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Wrestlers had big weekend

The beat seems to just keep going for Parkersburg South head coach Shaun Smith’s wrestling program. Aside from winning a record fifth straight Class AAA state team crown this past winter, the Patriot grapplers continue to prosper in the “offseason.” At last week’s 30th annual National High School Coaches Association championships in Virginia Beach, PSHS had its fair share of success. Brayden Roberts, who competed in the 145-pound junior division, earned All-American honors after going 6-2 and placing fourth. It was the best effort from any local prep grappler. Patriot ...

ALBRIGHT: Maddi Leggett commands the Big Reds

Jolts of energy race through Parkersburg High point guard Madi Leggett’s body shortly after the ball touches her hands in a varsity game. She stands charged with the leadership of the No. 1 high school team in the Mountain State from her command atop the key. One of the most devastating scoring units in Class AAA averages 71.1 points per game. Deadly shooters surround her on court. Her eyes fly over the hardwood scanning the other nine game participants while her brain simultaneously fires electrical signals carrying questions from synapse to synapse. “What is the defense trying to ...

ALBRIGHT: Plan for South Bend now Thundering Herd fans

Marshall University Athletic Director Mike Hamrick alongside the football program scored a golden scheduling win yesterday. One victory bringing an incredible amount of respect to the entire university. The Thundering Herd and the University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish meet for the first time on Sept. 10, 2022 in South Bend, Indiana. Doc Holliday and company have the chance for a Mountain State first with a win. ND stands 4-0 against West Virginia University. Some people may wonder why this is such a big deal. Notre Dame prides itself on playing nothing but Football Bowl ...

ALBRIGHT: Every team needs a Jenna Boice

As an opposing player runs through a doublescreen from wing-to-wing in an effort to avoid her defender, frustration mounts on her face as the Parkersburg Catholic player assigned to her closely follows behind the drawn-up play route. Quick backdoor cuts under the basket in a further effort to free herself prove futile. Jenna Boice stays stuck like glue to her assignment with a hand in the passing lane. The ill-advised bounce pass from the opposing point guard, who thought her teammate surely shook Boice after the sequence, deflects off the Crusaderette’s digits. One of Boice’s ...

ALBRIGHT: Keep on dreaming Harper

Manny Machado’s monster 10-year, $300 million deal from the San Diego Padres erased one of the two biggest names from the Major League Baseball Free Agency list last Monday. His move possibly setting in motion the falling dominoes triggering the eventual commitment of remaining big fish Bryce Harper. The 2015 National League Most Valuable Player remains largely linked to the Philadelphia Phillies. Possible dollar amounts for his services remain sequestered. What is known is he is seeking a 10-year deal similar to the one inked by Machado. Rumored price tags for his services as ...

ALBRIGHT: Another trip into the record book for South wrestling

History again. One year after becoming the first team to pass rival PHS for most state team titles, Parkersburg South’s wrestling bunch put its mark on the sport once more Saturday inside Huntington’s Big Sandy Superstore Arena. Coach Shaun Smith’s group became the first Class AAA school to win five straight team titles with its 248-175 win over runner-up Wheeling Park. Tucker Windland’s 3-0 decision over University’s Jake Staud in the 126-pound consolation match, coupled with two Wheeling Park losses in the morning session of the final day officially sealed the deal for ...