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Off The Tee: O’Donnell Scramble draws large, impressive field

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — The Ohio Valley is home to numerous golf scrambles throughout the spring, summer and fall. However, last Saturday’s Cindy O’Donnell Foundation Scramble, which attracted a full field of 36 teams, is quickly climbing the list of premier events. The proceeds of the event go to the Cindy O’Donnell Foundation, which has donated upwards of $8,000 this year to area charities. Included was the presentation of a $5,000 scholarship to a Shadyside High School student. “The (tournament) is meant to bring the community together to honor our loved ones,” event ...

Havlicek lived his life the right way

BRIDGEPORT — The basketball success of John Havlicek has been well documented. One of the NBA’s Greatest 50, the Boston Celtics all-time leading scorer, owner of six NBA Championship rings, a national champion at Ohio State University and a member of basically every hall of fame imaginable. But, there’s more to the Havlicek story than just hoops. And according to multiple speakers during Friday’s memorial service inside the John J. Havlicek Gymnasium at Bridgeport High School tell it, it all started with the type of person Havlicek was. “John was a great kid and ...

Harler, Routt shine in Spain hoop trip

WHEELING — The start of football’s regular season is on our doorstep. The Ohio Valley prep campaign kicks off in less than two weeks. With that said, let’s talk WVU basketball. Mountaineer hoops are always in vogue with Bob Huggins at the helm. It’s safe to say, last winter was not one that WVU hoop partisans will fondly remember. The Mountaineers finished with a 15-21 record, ending with a 109-91 home loss to Coastal Carolina in the second round of the College Basketball Invitational. A few disgruntled players have since left the program. That is a positive. Huggins is ...

Matsakis is making progress at Defiance

WHEELING - He arrived on the Defiance College campus Aug. 7 of last year. A month later Manny Matsakis was leading the Yellow Jackets’ football team in its first game of the season. Suffice to say, the Shadyside native had to hit the ground running at a school that enjoyed only one winning season in the last 12. To no one’s surprise, Defiance encountered a rough campaign, going 1-9. It was the ultimate stacked deck against success. A year later, thanks to the passionate efforts of Matsakis, much has changed with the longtime grid punching bag. Defiance begins official ...

OFF THE TEE: PGA Junior League program held at Belmont Hills CC

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — The PGA is consistently looking for ways to grow the game of golf. One of its newer initiatives has been implemented at Belmont Hills Country Club and met with resounding success. Belmont Hills Club Professional Ron Baker began the PGA Junior League program in 2018 and this year’s just wrapped up late last month with significantly increased numbers. “We had 67 kids take part,” Baker said. “Kids were from St. Clairsville, Union Local, Barnesville and Martins Ferry mostly.” Prior to the junior league program, Baker hosted a junior camp for ...

Virtual Reality Racing coming to McMechen

WHEELING - Travis Braden is a rising star in the world of race cars. The Wheeling native is just 25-years-old and is already a two-time ARCA/CRA Super Series champion. Braden is also a major player in a movement that would change the eSports landscape in West Virginia. Possible legislation is in the talking stages in the Mountain State on whether to adopt virtual reality betting in restaurants and bars. Braden is championing the cause throughout the state. This coming weekend he will be in McMechen at Jerry’s Bar to promote virtual reality racing. Jerry’s Bar is owned by Jake ...