WHEELING — Sam Andy is nothing short of an Ohio Valley basketball legend.

The former Wheeling High and Wheeling Park taskmaster amassed an amazing 611 wins to go with three West Virginia Class AAA state titles – just two of his countless coaching milestones.

He died in July of 2016.

His legacy will always live on due to such monumental success. It will now be brightly spotlighted thanks to a new hoop tournament named in his honor which got off to a rousing success Dec. 16.

The inaugural Sam Andy Classic brought six OVAC teams to WesBanco Arena, delivering an entertaining tripleheader.

Wheeling Park head coach Michael Jebbia, one of Andy’s greatest players, spearheaded making the event become a reality.

“We were very happy with the first Sam Andy Classic. Having it at WesBanco Arena gave it a different feel, and using the Jumbotron to remember Coach Sam Andy and showcase our sponsors was a nice touch. Denny Magruder and his staff were very accommodating. These were the first high school games at WesBanco Arena since 2012. Many things went well, and there are things that we need to improve, too,” Jebbia said. “The initial plan for the classic was to have all three Wheeling teams participate. Linsly in the first game, Wheeling Central in the second game and we would play in the nightcap. I would like to make it clear that Wheeling Central was invited.

“Mel Stephens was 100 percent in and wanted to play, but he was told he could not participate. We have all intentions to continue to include local teams as long as the schedule works for them. We picked Friday to play, as we thought Saturday around Christmas would be tough,” he continued. “I would like to thank (Wheeling Park A.D.) Dwaine Rodgers for all of his support with the classic. Also, the biggest thank you goes to our equipment manager, Sarge Cordery. He was at the arena all day Thursday and Friday helping with many different aspects. It would have not been possible without him.”

The classic pitted Shadyside against Linsly, Indian Creek vs. Weir and Wheeling Park against Union Local.

The hoop event drew praise from participating coaches.

“I thought it was a really nice and well run event. Michael Jebbia and his staff did a great job,” Indian Creek head coach Joe Dunlevy said. “A lot of basketball people showed up to honor Sam, and WesBanco is such a nice place to play. Our players really liked playing in it.”

Creek defeated Weir in the night’s second game.

“What a great event,” Union Local head coach Zach Delman said. “I’m glad Coach Jebbia asked us to come down. It’s an honor and a great venue. It’s a good atmosphere for our kids to get in and a cool experience for them.”

Those sentiments were echoed by Linsly head coach James Wallace.

“I thought everyone at Wheeling Park, led by Coach Jebbia, put on an excellent event in the memory of a great coach, and an even better man. It was a first class evening for everyone involved,” Wallace said. “We feel fortunate and honored to be asked to play in the Sam Andy Classic and it was a tremendous experience for our players.”

Jebbia & Co. have hit upon a worthwhile event, one which has room for growth. WesBanco is an ideal venue to watch basketball, and providing hoop fans three varsity games in one night is a real treat.

Hopefully, Wheeling Central opts to join the classic next year. It is an ideal way for Central to showcase its powerful program. The Maroon Knights and Andy-led Park staged some monumental battles.

BUBBA’S BITS

ELIJAH BELL ended a stellar sophomore grid season at North Carolina A&T last Saturday in the Celebration Bowl. The former Wheeling Park great hauled in 10 catches for 95 yards in a 21-14 win over Grambling. The Aggies finished 12-0 and Bell set a school record for TD catches in a season with 11. He ended the campaign with 64 catches for 953 yards. I firmly believe he will be an NFL receiver one day.

KRISTIN LEWICKI scored her second goal of the season in helping the Buffalo Beauts down the Connecticut Whale, 3-1, last week. The John Marshall grad now has two goals and two assists for the second-place Beauts of the National Women’s Hockey League. The former Adrian College two-time All-American also has 14 shots on goal.

YOU MAY never see a more exciting NFL game than what the Steelers and Patriots staged a week ago. The Steeler Nation will never have to deal with a more crushing defeat. Say what you will about the disputed non-TD catch by Jesse James, Pittsburgh had its chances. The Steelers dropped a would-be game-clinching interception and Ben Roethlisberger also made a fatal decision on the game’s final play with OT a virtual lock. Love them or hate them, the Patriots are amazing. The Steelers do have a budding star in JuJu Smith-Schuster.

A UNIQUE prep basketball matchup will play out this Saturday. Steubenville Central’s girls will visit Mayfield. Jessica Looman is the Lady Crusaders’ head coach. Her brother, Ryan, is Mayfield’s head coach. Their father, Ed, is Central’s assistant coach. Mayfield is a D-I school while Central is D-IV.

WHEELING CENTRAL senior track and volleyball star Nikki Nolte will be taking part in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl activities in Memphis. She is one of 50 homecoming queens from across the nation participating in the bowl events. The game will pit Iowa State and Memphis on Dec. 30. Nolte is representing the entire state of West Virginia.

WVU FOOTBALL coach Dana Holgorsen received another early Christmas present when David Sills announced his intentions to return for the 2018 season. His decision, coupled with an earlier and similar one by talented QB Will Grier, has the Mountaineers primed for big things for the coming season.

JIM CRUTCHFIELD is a coaching magician. The former West Liberty hoop taskmaster inherited a 6-20 downtrodden Nova Southeastern team and has turned it into a 9-1 D-II force. The Sharks return to action Dec. 30 against Barry University.

BOB HUGGINS is one of the finalists for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2018. The WVU hoops guru is long overdue in entering the shrine. He gets more out of his players than any coach in the nation. Can you imagine how many national titles Huggy Bear would have if he had Duke or Kentucky talent?

TO ALL our readers, I wish you a most blessed Christmas.