Vol. 137, No. 115 • Since 1874 • Wayne, WV • Weekend, Feb. 4-5, 2012

Tolsia Rebel Austin Brewer (10) puts up the shot after winning the fight for the rebound as the other players watch for the outcome. WCN photo by Jason Perry

Rebels run over Pioneers

By JASON PERRY
Sports Writer

WAYNE – Rivalry games always have a special feeling. The Wayne Pioneers hosted the Tolsia Rebels in a rematch from early in the season and a Cardinal Conference match-up to boot.

In a gym that had more Tolsia fans than Wayne, the Rebels felt right at home as they had a huge second quarter pushing them to victory, 74-54. The Rebels were led by Morgan Stacy’s 22 points which also made him the game’s high scorer. Jacob Copley poured in 20 points. Morgan Williamson rounded out the Tolsia players in double figures with 14.

Although the Pioneers were on the losing end, three players had double figures. Trevor Chadwick led his team with 15 points. Grant Ferguson followed with 14. Big man, Zach Marsh, chipped in 11 to finish the scoring.

One of the big stories of the night, was starting freshman Ferguson had the task of guarding the wily Copley. Copley ended up on the winning end of the match-up, but Ferguson wasn’t far behind.

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South Charleston’s Trevand Reese (12) meets a wall of Timberwolve defenders consisting of Elijah Wellman (30), Eli Parker (21), and Jacob Kilgore (33). WCN photo by Jason Perry

Early woes haunt Spring Valley

By JASON PERRY
Sports Writer

SPRING VALLEY – Sometimes all it takes is one quarter to make a difference. Unfortunately for the Spring Valley Timberwolves, it was the first and visiting #4 South Charleston had the big one.

The Black Eagles scored 28 points in the opening quarter of Thursday’s game to put Spring Valley in a hole they had to fight out of for the rest of the night and South Charleston gained the win, 81-70.

“If you go down 28-11 in the first quarter, it’s a heck of a hole to dig out,” Spring Valley coach Cory Maynard said. “Especially when you’re facing a team as talented and athletic as South Charleston.”

The Valley and their big three put up a tremendous effort to reverse their fortunes. Eli Parker led his team with 17 total points. Elijah Wellman was solid on the inside with 15. Hunter Waugh threw in 12.

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Wrestling for a cause

The Buffalo Youth Wrestling League. Coach Brent Lucas had a goal of teaching kids the sport of wrestling and also give back to the community. The league was successful in that last weekend with their first annual, Wrestling for a Cause. The event was held to raise funds and awareness for ovarian cancer. All proceeds were donated to the Joan C. Edwards cancer research fund. Photo courtesy of Kerry Carter Photography

Devin Doss attempts to pin his opponent during the BYWL’s Wrestling for a Cause. Doss finished 2-1 at the first annual tournament held with the goal of raising funds and awareness for ovarian cancer. Doss finished 2nd in the state last year in the 7 year-old 53 pound division. Photo courtesy of Kerry Carter Photography

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Sissonville Indians burn Pioneers from the outside

BY JASON PERRY
Sports Writer

WAYNE – Tuesday night, the top of the Cardinal Conference met the bottom.

During the game’s first half, you would be hard pressed to tell who was which. The Sissonville Indians visited the Wayne Pioneers in a game that surely surprised the Indians after their previous meeting this season. The game ended with a final score 80-62 and Sissonville won, but for a while, the Pioneers showed they have more in the tank than originally thought.

“We’re playing extremely hard. Much harder than we have before. The guys are buying into the stuff that we’re doing and they’re leaving it on the floor,” Wayne coach Sam Cochenour said. “We had a hard time tonight against the three.”

By half time, only four points separated the teams as Wayne proved they weren’t going to go away quietly.

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Wayne Pioneer Forrest Reed drives past several Sissonville Indian defenders on his way to the basket. The Indians hot outside shooting overcame several Pioneer drives to take the 80-62 Cardinal Conference win. WCN photo by Michael Hupp

Sissonville Indians burn Pioneers from the outside

BY JASON PERRY
Sports Writer

WAYNE – Tuesday night, the top of the Cardinal Conference met the bottom.

During the game’s first half, you would be hard pressed to tell who was which. The Sissonville Indians visited the Wayne Pioneers in a game that surely surprised the Indians after their previous meeting this season. The game ended with a final score 80-62 and Sissonville won, but for a while, the Pioneers showed they have more in the tank than originally thought.

“We’re playing extremely hard. Much harder than we have before. The guys are buying into the stuff that we’re doing and they’re leaving it on the floor,” Wayne coach Sam Cochenour said. “We had a hard time tonight against the three.”

By half time, only four points separated the teams as Wayne proved they weren’t going to go away quietly.

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Several Pioneer defenders go after a Sissonville player in Tuesday’s JV action. WCN Photo by Jason Perry

JUNIOR VARSITY: Visiting Indians defeat Pioneers

By JASON PERRY
Sports Writer

WAYNE -- The Pioneers junior varsity boys mounted a huge second half push to give the visiting Sissonville Indians a scare.

Although Sissonville walked out of the gym with the victory, it was by a narrow margin. The final score was 66-62 with Wayne almost snatching victory from the jaws of defeat.

The first half ended with a score of 36-24 and the Indians in a comfortable lead. A 20 point first quarter by Sissonville helped to contribute to the deficit that the jv Pioneers faced.

The third quarter for Wayne was a mirror image of the Indiansí first. Everything that could go right, did. Wayne scored 20 in the third.

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The Spring Valley Timberwolves won the Rivers Cities Championship. The T’Wolves won the overall competition, defeating Huntington High, Cabell Midland, and St. Joe’s. Spring Valley also won the Girls’ Title. Photo Submitted

Swimming Wolves win the River Cities

By JASON PERRY
Sports Writer

HUNTINGTON – Spring Valley proved to be poor hosts as the Timberwolves’ swim team won the River Cities’ Championship on Friday. The T’Wolves came in first ahead of Cabell Midland, Huntington High, and St. Joseph. Spring Valley’s total points was 283 with Cabell Midland behind in second with a tally of 271.

The female members of the swimming T’Wolves won the title pretty handily. Cabell Midland finished behind Spring Valley is this division as well.

The boys’ team came in second behind the Highlanders. The final score was Huntington’s boys 152 and Spring Valley’s boys with a score of 126.

The season is coming to a close soon for Coach Nick Smith and his T’Wolves’ swimmers. The good showing amongst their rivals helps to ensure that Spring Valley is moving in the right direction as the season draws to a close.

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SVHS wrestling wins title at Ashland Tourney

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS – Spring Valley Wrestlers placed 1st place at the Ashland Wrestling Tournament on January 27, 2012. Other teams competing were Ashland, Sheldon Clark, Belfry, Jenkins, Lawrence County, Lincoln County, Mingo Central, Chesapeake, and Fairland. Photo Submitted

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TAKING FLIGHT – Megan Perry is taking it to the hoop. After career high 33 points against Huntington High on Tuesday and 20 points on Thursday against Ripley, Perry is only three short of 1,000 for her career. Photo Courtesy of Kerry Carter Photography

Lady T’Wolves rip into Lady Vikes

By JASON PERRY
Sports Writer

SPRING VALLEY – What do you do after you score a career high 33 points and beat your rival for the first time in your career? You go after the next milestone if you’re Spring Valley’s Megan Perry – 1,000 points in a career.

“It’s a mark of consistency. Perry’s been our go-to person for four years,” Spring Valley coach Bo Miller said. “We’ve been able to spread the ball around more and not as much of the scoring load has fell to her. Megan is more worried about wins and not herself. She’s a great team player.”

The Ripley Lady Vikings didn’t know what hit them when they visited the Lady Timberwolves Thursday night. The Lady T’Wolves took Ripley to the woodshed, defeating them with a final score of 59-29.

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Eli Parker dropped 21 on Nitro Friday. Photo Courtesy of Kerry Carter Photography

Roundball Round-up

Spring Valley 68, Nitro 56
SPRING VALLEY – The T’Wolves rolled over the visiting Nitro Friday night with a score of 68-56.

Eli Parker scored 25 points and pulled down 14 rebounds along the way to leading Spring Valley to the win. Hunter Waugh had 15. Elijah Wellman chipped in 13 points and 10 boards.

Tolsia 60, Herbert Hoover 23
GLENNHAYES – The Tolsia Lady Rebels got off to a big start Friday night, beating Herbert Hoover 60-23.

Kelly Lahoda, Savannah Winnett, and Krista Maynard all had 11 points on the way to the Lady Rebels’ lopsided victory.

Spring Valley 63, Ripley 21
SPRING VALLEY – Before the varsity game got underway Thursday night, the junior varsity squads played. The outcome wasn’t very different from the varsity as Spring Valley handed the visiting Ripley Lady Viking JV team a huge loss. The final score was 63-21.

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Reds’ 2nd baseman and all-star Brandon Phillips and Hall of Fame announcer Marty Brennaman were two of the personalities that fans could meet at the Reds Caravan held at the Huntington Mall on Thursday. Photo Submitted by Paul Cook

Reds Caravan visits Tri-State

By JASON PERRY
SPORTSWRITER

BARBOURSVILLE – Every year the Cincinnati Reds makes a road trip to go out and meet their fans. According to long time face of the Reds, Marty Brennaman, no caravan would be complete with making stops in Huntington and Charleston.

Paul Cook, who is a long time baseball and Cincinnati Reds fan, jumped at the chance.
Although he and numerous other fans stood in line at 1pm waiting on the 3:30pm start time, it was well worth it just to be part of sports history.

In attendence was Marty Brennaman, Brandon Phillips, Chris Welsh, Lee May, Bob Miller, and Tucker Barnhart. Fans were given the opportunity to interact with players and mascots.

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OFF TO THE RACES – Luke Presley (23) dribbles down court as C-K defender Nate Burgess (4) and Viking teammate, Tyler Stroud (24) follow. The game only had one speed, fast. WCN photo by Jason Perry

Vikings and Wonders in rematch

By JASON PERRY
Sports Writer

FORT GAY – The end had arrived. The game had been a marathon and the finish line was in sight. Fort Gay’s Jennings Holland sank a free-throw with .27 seconds left to put the game out of reach for the Ceredo-Kenova Wonders. The Wonders had made a tremendous effort to take the win, before Holland’s free-throw sealed the final score at 45-41.

“I was tickled to death for the kids. They played so hard. I think it was the hardest I have ever seen them play and I’ve been watching them for seven or eight years now,” Fort Gay coach Ed Cyrus said.

There wasn’t any doubt the game was huge for both programs. The Vikings and the Wonders have become rivals through the course of the season – adding flavor to the game. C-K came into Monday’s game looking to even the record up after Fort Gay came to Ceredo earlier in the season and pulled out a win.

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EASY BASKET – C-K’s Kurtlyn Brown goes up for a lay-up with teammates and opponents around him. Brown was a key component in the Wonders’ gameplan against Fort Gay. WCN photo by Jason Perry

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NO FEAR! – The Vikings’ Marky Doss is challenged by the much bigger Caiden Conley as he goes up for a basket. Photo courtesy of Kerry Carter Photography

Wonders win St. Joe Tourney

By JASON PERRY
Sports Writer

HUNTINGTON – It was hard road. But at it’s end was victory.

The Ceredo-Kenova Wonders won the Saint Joe’s Invitational Tournament over the weekend. The Wonders defeated Guyan Valley and Enslow to gain the right to hoist their trophies.

The first game was on Friday against Guyan Valley. C-K dominated Guyan Valley almost from start to finish. Despite an uncharacteristic low scoring fourth quarter, the final score was 46-41.

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Buffalo Little League Champs

Buffalo Little League 11-12 year-old regular season champs and tournament champs. Front Row: Megan Camden, Paige Shy, Top Row: Coach Jeff Ash, Mikey Saxton, Brennan Sarver, Tanner Dixon, Chance Ballard, Coach Kurt Ballard Photo Submitted

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Fort Gay weathers turmoil

By JASON PERRY
Sports Writer

FORT GAY – In a close-knit area, everyone knows everyone else. This is especially true of standout athletes, no matter their age.

The Fort Gay boys’ middle school basketball team has been at the center of turmoil recently. Everyone associated with middle school sports in the county has been watching the outcome with some interest.

According to reports, two of the standout players for the Vikings were enticed into participating in a tournament held at a sports complex in Knott County Kentucky. Because of this, Fort Gay is without two of their players for the remainder of the season and had to change coaches mid-season because of the coach’s resignation.

“The boys were supposed to go stay a weekend with a former coach that we all knew that lived over in Kentucky,” former Fort Gay coach, Steve Stroud said. “He was supposed to take them to play in a pickup game and he assured me, the boys, and their mom that everything was okay. We were told that it was on the up-and-up.”

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NO FEAR! – The Vikings’ Marky Doss is challenged by the much bigger Caiden Conley as he goes up for a basket. Photo courtesy of Kerry Carter Photography

Vikings keep Tigers Outside

By JASON PERRY
Sports Writer

FORT GAY – Any doubts to whether the Fort Gay Vikings could compete after losing two of their players to suspension were put to rest Thursday evening.

“When we played Buffalo the other night, you could tell they were kinda indecisive,” said Fort Gay Coach, Ed Cyrus. “But I think that after we came back in and got a practice under our belt, it helped.”

The Vikings completely shut down the visiting Vinson Tigers. Vinson’s bread and butter all season has been a dominant inside game. Fort Gay kept the Tigers off balance and didn’t allow them to establish any sort of inside presence. The Vikings won by a large margin with a score of 53-23.

“I read the write ups on the kids and I know Conley is a good player. That was the emphasis of the practice the other day,” Cyrus said. Tyler Stroud shot the lights out and finished with the distinction of being the game’s high scorer by racking up 23 points.

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Left: Tyler Stroud takes a jump shot after beating the Vinson defender in Thursday’s game. Right: Luke Presley gets some air as he puts up a lay-up after leaving the defenders behind. Photos Courtesy of Kerry Carter Photography.

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County Hoops Roundup

Tolsia 68, Wayne 40
WAYNE – Tolsia’ Lady Rebels visited the Wayne Lady Pioneers Thursday night. Wayne appeared to get a late start in the game as Tolsia outscored the Lady Pioneers 37-13 in the first half. Wayne made a push in the second, but it was too little to late as the Lady Rebels won 68-40.

Fairland 63, Spring Valley 61
HUNTINGTON – The first round of the St. Joe Invitational Tournament for the Spring Valley Timberwolves was a nailbiter. The T’Wolves faced off against the Fairland Dragons. It was a game that both squads went neck and neck for the entirety and it took a photo finish for the win. Fairland took the win with a narrow margin, 63-61.

Buffalo 30, C-K 53
CEREDO – The boys of Buffalo Middle School basketball team visited the Ceredo-Kenova Wonders. The middle stanzas proved to be the Bisons’ undoing as they could only muster six points in the second and fourth quarters.

Wayne 30, Fort Gay 53
FORT GAY – The Vikings hosted the Wayne Pioneers on Friday. Wayne seemed to be at a disadvantage for most of the game as Fort Gay’s offense stole the show and ran away with the game with a score of 53-30.

Crum 32, Wayne 33
WAYNE – The Lady Pioneers of Wayne Middle School won a close, hard fought victory over the scrappy Crum Lady Mountaineers. It was a defensive struggle throughout most of the game. Wayne was able to jump out early in the first and Crum had to fight back throughout most of the game.

Buffalo 44, C-K 21
CEREDO – The Lady Bisons came back from a scoreless first quarter to take the lead against Ceredo-Kenova’s Lady Wonders and they never looked back. A big third quarter more than made up for the slow start and propelled Buffalo to a 44-21 win.

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Senior Eli Parker exploded for a career high 30 points against Princeton Monday night. WCN photo by Michael Hupp

Parker scores career high 30 against Princeton

HUNTINGTON – Eli Parker scored a career high 30 points Monday night for Spring Valley in a 71-55 boys basketball victory over Princeton.

Parker, a senior forward for the Timberwolves, nailed six three pointers in the contest. He scored 12 in the third quarter when Spring Valley (3-7) expanded a 28-27 halftime lead to 51-37.

Princeton would never pull within nine points the rest of the game. Jacob Campbell added 12 and Elijah Wellman scored 11 points. Campbell and Parker both snagged eight rebounds while Wellman grabbed six. Wellman also nailed a three as time expired in the third.

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Spring Valley wins first place at the Chesapeake Duals

The TWolves took first place at Chesapeake Duals.

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Crum’s defense causes C-K’s Abby Chaffins to hurry her pass. WCN photo by Jason Perry

Lady Mounties repel off late surge

By JASON PERRY
Sports Writer

CRUM – “It ain’t over till it’s over.” Or at least that was what Yogi Berra said. Crum’s Lady Mountaineers almost forgot that when they played host to the Ceredo-Kenova Lady Wonders Monday night.

The Lady Mounties squandered a double-digit lead in the second half that allowed the Wonders to climb back into the lead. But Crum recovered in time and was able to pull out the win with a final score of 44-32.

Dena Jarrells and Lakyn Hale proved to be a heavy one-two punch for the Lady Mounties. Jarrells scored 18 points and Hale chipped in 16. The start of the game was uneventful. It appeared that C-K and Crum were feeling one another out, looking for an opening to start the attack.

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Wayne County native, Kara Pollinger, is starting as a sophomore for the Naval Academy and playing well. She is currently shooting 41 percent from 3-point range which is well above the 34 percent national average for Division One players. Photo courtesy of Navysports.com

Pollinger continues to excel at Navy

By JASON PERRY
Sports Writer

GLENNHAYES – Kara Pollinger is no stranger to being noticed. She has always stood above her peers in practically everything. In academics and athletics, she has shown she is something special.

Her individuality has paid off. Pollinger is now attending the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland and playing basketball on the women’s team.

Now in her sophomore season, Pollinger continues to excel and standout. She is near the top of almost every statistical category for the Mids, and has started in every game this season. ”

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County basketball round-up

HUNTINGTON – The St. Albans boys came to town looking for a little payback after Spring Valley’s ladies handed the girls of St. Albans huge loss on Tuesday night.

The Timberwolves weren’t about to give St. Albans the satisfaction of a win. Unfortunately, the Red Dragons didn’t play along and went back to Kanawha county with a 45-38 win.

The game started out evenly. Spring Valley took a lead into the second quarter. St. Albans took the lead and after the lead change, they never looked back.

Elijah Wellman pulled down seven rebounds in the losing effort for the Valley.

Buffalo 22, C-K 31
CEREDO – Junior Varsity action heated up on Wednesday as the Buffalo Bisons traveled to meet the Ceredo- Kenova Wonders. Despite being shutout in the fourth quarter, C-K won rather handily with a final of 31-22.

It was largely a defensive struggle as can be seen in the scoring. Buffalo seemed off its game from the start only scoring two in the opening stanza and was forced to play catchup for the remainder of the game.

Wayne 40, C-K 54
WAYNE – Two potent offenses met on Monday night. The C-K Wonders visited the Wayne Pioneers in a county match-up that may be a preview of the coming tournament. When the smoke cleared from the hot shooting, the Wonders emerged as the winner with a score of 54-40.

The game itself was evenly matched between the teams. C-K jumped out to an early lead in the first quarter,but Wayne thundered back in the second to close the gap to withing six points before halftime.

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Tolsia sophomore Krista Maynard led the Rebel offense with 22 points and five assists. WCN photo by Jason Perry

Lady Skyhawks soar over Tolsia

By JASON PERRY
Sports Writer

GLENNHAYES – Foul trouble and turnovers were too much for Tolsia Monday night in a possible preview of the post season as the Lady Rebels dropped a 70-57 decision to Scott at Rebel Arena.

Tolsia, ranked fifth in West Virginia, fell into a hole early and could never dig themselves out. The Lady Rebels, despite making a good run to close the scoring gap, weren’t able to catch the high flying Lady Hawks.

“You have to give Scott credit. They came in and got the win,’ said Coach Rick Morrone, “They’re the #2 ranked team in the state and there is a reason to be ranked that high.”

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Spring Valley grapplers win home wrestling meet

HUNTINGTON – Spring Valley High School Wrestling team won first place, going 5-0 at the Spring Valley Wrestling Tournament. Opponents were Sheldon Clark, Lincoln County, Logan County, Ashland, Mingo Central. Top Row: Dylan Lageman, Kyle Fischer, Justin Marshall, Nick Whitmore, Nathan Doss, Jake Smith, Ryan Morris. Bottom Row: Kendall Obregon, Tyler Hampton, John Swann, Kyle O’Neil, Zach Gwinn. Not pictured are Andrew Scarberry, Isaac Belcher. Photo courtesy of Monica Marshall

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UP AND OVER – Fort Gay Middle’s Robert Dalton goes up for two of his 28 points Thursday night as C-K’s Kurtlyn Brown (5) tries to block the shot. Alex Roy (24) and Nathan Burgess look on. Photo by Sheila Adkins

Vikings too much for Wonders

By RON FERGUSON
StaffWriter

CEREDO–Robert Dalton’s 28 points Thursday night led his talented Fort Gay Vikings to a solid 47-39 win over Ceredo-Kenova Middle School at the CKMS gym.

Most of Dalton’s points came in spurts as he scored seven in a row in the first half, the came runs of six and five in the second two quarters as his team’s overall defense forced the Wonders into numerous turnovers and kept C-K off the backboards.

“All of our team played well,” winning Coach Steve Stroud commented after the game. “And Robert Dalton is hard to beat. “This was an all-around team effort.”

Fort Gay’s control of the boards led to few second-chance points for the Wonders, while the Vikings scored on offensive rebounds and defensive caroms led to fast break opportunities.

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Kurtlyn Brown goes up for a basket Thursday night as Fort Gay’s Robert Dalton tries to defend. C-K’s Jacob Hendricks (23) watches. Fort Gay won, 47-39. Photo by Sheila Adkins

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Vinson's Caden Brumfield eyes the basket as Jeremiah Williams of Crum defends. Photography courtesy of Kerry Carter Photography

Inside game key to Vinson win

By JASON PERRY
Sports Writer

CRUM – The Crum Middle School Mountaineers had 10-8 lead over Vinson at the end of the first quarter Thursday night but the lead didn’t last long.

Three quarters later it was a different game. Vinson built a big lead in the second quarter due to the inside presence of Caiden Conley and never looked back as the Tigers won, 45-20.

The Mountaineers’ Zack Davis came out leading the attack in the first. The Mounties gave Vinson problems with their athleticism and passing as Crum’s moved the ball well and found the open man. It was the defense that really shined for Crum in the first as the Tigers’ shooters never looked comfortable as there was always a defender in their face.

“We didn’t press very much in the first quarter and I had Conley sitting on the bench,” said Vinson Coach Bob Wiles. “When I did finally put him into the game, he took over on the inside.”

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Freshman forward Sarah Kelly drives past a Cougar defender on her way to the basket. The Lady T’Wolves defeated Capital 65-41 Monday night. Photo submitted by Kerry Carter Photography

Lady T'Wolves Wallop Cougars

By JASON PERRY
Sports Writer

SPRING VALLEY – Maybe the game should have been cancelled because of the weather. That probably crossed the minds of the Capital Lady Cougars more than once as they visited the No. 7 Spring Valley Lady Timberwolves on a snowy Monday night.

Capital left the Wolves’ Den after Spring Valley ran, shot, and pressed their way to a hefty win, 65-41.

“That’s our goal–to press people and to press people,” said Spring Valley Coach Bo Miller. “We run seven or eight girls in and hopefully we can wear them down. I think by the third quarter they were pretty worn down.” The Lady T’Wolves and Lady Cougars looked to be evenly matched and by the end of the first quarter, only four points separated the competitors with Spring Valley in the lead, 16-12.

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Freshman forward Brooke Heck reaches for a rebound against Capital. Photo submitted by Kerry Carter photography

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STATE CHAMPS – In December the Wayne Pioneers won its second AA championship in school history by defeating the Point Pleasant Big Blacks in Wheeling. File photo

County Sports: 2011 in Review, Part two

By JASON PERRY
Sports Writer

With the first half of the year gone by, Wayne County athletic teams and fans had already experienced a gamut of emotions. Emotions ranging from the sorrow and pain of loss to the agony of defeat were all too familiar to Wayne County athletes in the opening half of 2011.

Geographic location or school size didn’t have anything to do with it either, all schools in the county experienced heartbreak at least once.

There is an old saying that says whatever doesn’t kill us can only make us stronger, and with the coming of the last half of the year, Wayne County’s teams proved just that. Redeeming their school’s names and the reputation of county sports was the theme of 2011’s close. No matter the sport, there seemed to be a resurgence in the county’s fortunes. With baby New Year 2012 on the horizon, Wayne County’s teams seem to be riding on wave of confidence and momentum that could on mean big things.

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AAA STATE VOLLEYBALL CHAMPS – Spring Valley Volleyball won its second state title in three years. File photo

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Colby Wickline (30) taking it to the hoop for 2 points. Inside scoring was key to Wayne’s championship at the Vinson Christmas Tournament. Photo courtesey Kerry Carter Photography

Pioneers win big in Christmas Tournament

By JASON PERRY
Sports Writer

HUNTINGTON–Wayne’s Middle School Pioneers capped a great Vinson Christmas Tournament by dominating Guyan Valley in the championship round Thursday night, 50-38.

It was apparent from the beginning Wayne played a style of basketball not suited to Guyan Valley. “We scored first and never looked back,’ said Wayne Coach Greg Farley.

Some fans at the tournament may argue that Wayne backed into the championship game, nipping the Enslow Bulldogs, 38-34 in the first round. With such a dominating performance, the Pioneers silenced any doubters as to their ability.

“I had three starters that sat the bench in the first quarter against Enslow, and we fell behind,” Farley said. “Once they got back in, we came back to take the lead and never looked back.”

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Wayne County Sports: 2011 in Review, Part 1

By JASON PERRY
Sports Writer

It’s hard to believe the year is almost over. It has flown by seemingly before the residents of Wayne County were able to get comfortable. This special year saw numerous events transpire in Wayne County sports that fans will remember for many years. There has been heartache and heartbreak, but there has been just as much glory, accomplishment, and victory.

Sports has always been an outlet that everyday people can live through vicariously and escape the humdrum of the everyday. So before baby New Year 2012 takes center stage, let’s go back and look at some of the high points of Wayne County sports in a very eventful year that we will split into two parts.

JANUARY: Unfortunately, 2011 started on a note of sorrow. Jess “Scott” Jarrell, an icon at Wayne High School for many years, was murdered on New Year’s Eve. Jarrell was a much loved member of the Wayne community and impacted so many students throughout his years as a coach and a guidance counselor. Even now Jarrell’s loss is still felt throughout the county.

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Trevor Chadwick (12) moves the ball around a Poca defender as teammate James Egnor (5) looks on. Ball movement was a sore spot for the Pioneers Tuesday night as Poca’s press defense gave the Pioneer ball-handlers problems all night. WCN Photo by Jason Perry

Pioneers fail to connect the Dots

By JASON PERRY
Sports Writer

WAYNE – It was a dreary, cold Tuesday evening that was the setting for the game between the Wayne Pioneers and the visiting Poca Dots. The Pioneers had built a little momentum coming into this game after defeating Valley-Fayette and finishing third in the Wesbanco Holiday Tournament last week at Sissonville. The momentum would be needed as Poca came in looking to take a victory home on the strength of their shooting and their pressure defense.

At game’s end, the Pioneers would unfortunately fall to the Dots, 68-38.

Wayne came out raring to go, but quickly found Poca’s defense would be a wall not easily breached. Wayne’s turnovers in the opening quarter gave Poca a chance to run away with the game.

But even with the missed shots and the turnovers, Wayne’s defense would prove to worry Poca’s squad as the Pioneers would be able to at least keep the lead to single digits by making the Dots hurry. All five of the Pioneer points scored in the first would be tallied by senior Zach Marsh.

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