Breaking News

Special Sections

Foldi takes over the reins at Harrison Central

2022-23 Basketball Preview

By MIKE HUGHES For The Times Leader CADIZ—Aaron Foldi, at least on paper, picked a great time to take over the Harrison Central boys’ baskebtall program. Foldi was hired last spring after longtime head coach Justin Clifford took the AD job at St. Clairsville, creating the opening. Harrison opted to hire Foldi, who two years ago assisted Clifford while he student taught at Harrison Central. An Indian Creek grad, Foldi played four years under Joe Dunlevy then two years collegiality for Joe Wallace at Franciscan, while also serving as an assistant to Wallace his senior ...

Shadyside has holes to fill

2022-23 Basketball Preview

By BUBBA KAPRAL For The Times Leader SHADYSIDE - Ed Andes has scripted countless successful seasons in his 25 years as head coach of the Shadyside boys’ basketball program. Last year’s campaign was one of the most enjoyable. Andes guided his Tigers to a 17-7 mark en route to another OVAC 2A championship, besting nemesis Wheeling Central in the title game. In addition, the Orange again advanced to the district tournament. Andes, who is approaching the coveted 400-win plateau at his alma mater, has seven OVAC crowns and 13 district berths on his resume. He has the distinction of ...

UL features veteran cast

2022-23 Basketball Preview

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 ...

Bellaire is small, but very quick

2022-23 Basketball Preview

By SETH STASKEY Times Leader Sports Editor BELLAIRE — This just in from the not-so-breaking-news department … the Bellaire girls basketball team is undersized. Because of their style and ability to guard in the full court, being smaller hasn’t been an issue since John Farrier took over the reins of the program. The Lady Reds head coach hopes the experience and athleticism prove to be more than enough to cover up for the fact that no player on the 10-player roster stands taller than 5-8. “The size is a battle we’re used to fighting,” Farrier said. “We plan to use our ...

Shadyside features strong senior class

2022-23 Basketball Preview

By TRACY WATSON For The Times Leader SHADYSIDE – With six returners who logged good minutes a season ago, a pair of senior building blocks to work around, Coach Serge Gentile’s Shadyside team is looking to hit the floor running in 2022. The Lady Tigers will be led by senior do-it-all Gentry Brown (5-9, forward), who is coming off a junior campaign that saw her earn first team All-District, second-team All-OVAC and honorable mention All-Ohio awards. She will be joined by classmate Rylie Fulton (5-7, guard), who was a second-team All-District honoree. The third member of this ...

Bellaire plans to use its speed to apply pressure

2022-23 Basketball Preview

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 ...