River returns bulk of roster from 21-win squad

November 28, 2022

By MARK DIERKES Times Leader Sports Writer Veteran River High head coach Mark Romick likes what he has returning to the floor for his 2022-23 Pilots, but there’s one excuseable drawback as the Hannibal-based crew prep for Tuesday’s season opener at Buckeye Local unless pushed back due to football. “We’ve lacked the practice time to get in (basketball) shape and become a cohesive unit,” noted Romick as the successful Pilots football team enjoyed an extended run in the D7 playoffs. “We’ll have to rely on our experience early in the season until we get our legs under ...

Bellaire plans to use its speed to apply pressure

November 28, 2022

By SETH STASKEY Times Leader Sports Editor 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 ...

Barnesville experiencing a youth movement

November 28, 2022

By KIM NORTH Times Leader Sports Writer BARNESVILLE – Barnesville boys basketball head coach Johnny Hines is hoping two returning lettermen and a strong sophomore class will help make up for huge graduation losses. He will be relying on juniors Asa Geilinger (6-2) and Taison Starr (5-10), and sophomores Cam Carpenter (5-9), Casey Carpenter (5-10), Salvador Almaraz (6-0) and Bryson Eddy (5-7). He also likes what he has seen from freshman Braeden Willis (5-10). “This group brings a lot of flexibility and we have some letterwinners from the football program bringing some more ...

UL features veteran cast

November 28, 2022

By SETH STASKEY Times Leader Sports Editor MORRISTOWN — Union Local put forth a season in 2021-22 that head coach Zach Delman said had some “high and low moments.” As he prepares for his seventh season at the helm of the boys basketball program at his alma mater, Delman has a roster that leads him to believe more highs than lows could be on the horizon this winter. “Every day is a battle,” Delman said. “We want every day to be a battle among you, your teammate to get better so when Tuesday and Fridays roll around, we’re able to be at our best.” The Jets come into the ...

St. Clairsville must replace four starters

November 28, 2022

By SETH STASKEY Times Leader Sports Editor 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 ...

Monroe a youthful squad

November 28, 2022

By Donnie Yeager Jr For The Times Leader WOODSFIELD – The Monroe Central Seminoles enter the 2022-23 season following a spectacular campaign that saw them finish 17-8, knocking off Caldwell for the sectional title before bowing out to Hiland in the district semis in overtime. Gone from that team are a number of talented players, headed by four-year stalwart Malachi Rose-Burton, who averaged 15.4 points per contest. Also gone are Collin Kroll, who averaged just under 10 points per contest and was named District 12 1st team, Jake Swisher, who scored 8.6 PPG and was District 12 2nd ...