Special Sections

Cash begins 19th season with six returning lettermen

2022-23 Basketball Preview November 28, 2022

By KIM NORTH Times Leader Sports Writer BRIDGEPORT – Entering his 19th season as the head coach of the Bridgeport boys’ basketball team, Donnie Cash finally has some height on his roster. The past few years has seen the Bulldogs utilize a small roster which hurt them at the Division III level. They have dropped back down to Division IV this winter. “We are looking to improve in the preseason and in our scrimmages,” Cash said. “We have a lot back from last year and a few others that came back out. We do have some length this season and most of the kids are ...

Monroe a youthful squad

2022-23 Basketball Preview 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 ...

Wheeling CC features a new-look roster

2022-23 Basketball Preview November 28, 2022

By KIM NORTH Times Leader Sports Writer WHEELING – According to third-year head coach Roberta Olejasz, her Wheeling Central girls basketball team is going to be fun to watch. However, those fans attending games will have familiarize themselves with the roster. Olejasz had no problem in saying the Maroon Knights can go well into their bench during the 2022-23 season. “We have four returning letterwinners. However, we have one transfer and a lot of freshmen who will contribute this season,” the former Maroon Knight all-stater and player at VCU explained. We are going to be fun to ...

Barnesville experiencing a youth movement

2022-23 Basketball Preview 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 ...

Union Local coming off D-III state appearance

2022-23 Basketball Preview November 28, 2022

By SETH STASKEY Times Leader Sports Editor MORRISTOWN — The Union Local girls basketball team soared to new heights last season. With several key pieces back from a squad that didn’t see its season end until it fell to eventual state champion Cincinnati Purcell Marian in the Division III state semifinals, the Jets appear primed for another memorable season. However, veteran head coach Scooter Tolzda, who is embarking on his second season with the Jets, knows that nothing is a given, regardless of who or how much talent returns. “I’ve talked to other coaches and I noticed it ...

Monroe Central looks to build on last season

2022-23 Basketball Preview November 28, 2022

By Donnie Yeager Jr. For The Times Leader WOODSFIELD – The Monroe Central Lady Seminoles finished last season with a 20-7 record, winning the MOVL and the Sectional and District titles before bowing out in the first round of the Regional tournament to Trimble. Graduated from that team are Kalista Friday, Haylyn Hiles, Trista Morris, and Hailie Hoyt, but the cabinet is far from empty in Woodfield. A total of fifteen girls are filling varsity spots this season, with nine of them being underclassmen, something veteran Seminoles coach Troy Baker is pleased with. “Our numbers are ...