Prosser Classic unfolds tonight in East Wheeling

January 26, 2017

WHEELING — After some unrest at Wheeling Central this past week, a very good thing will unfold tonight at the East Wheeling school. The George Edward “Skip” Prosser Classic will be held at Wheeling Central High, pitting the Maroon Knights against Linsly in boys’ basketball. It will be played on the court named after the coaching legend. “The purpose of this game is many but it primarily will serve to honor and recognize not only Coach Prosser’s memory, but also the two high schools that he served in the late 70s and mid 80s,” event organizer John Stanko said. “The ...

JM’s Lewicki gains another hockey honor

January 22, 2017

KRISTIN LEWICKI has skated her way to an outstanding collegiate career. The Adrian College (Mich.) senior is one of the premier Division III hockey players in the nation. The All-American forward added yet another impressive honor recently as she was featured in the Jan. 12 issue of Sports Illustrated as part of its Faces in the Crowd section. The John Marshall High product is the first Adrian student-athlete to be featured in iconic Sports Illustrated since women’s soccer standout Sam Barker on Jan. 9, 2012. “I didn’t find out about it until the article came out. Our ...

Park’s Wilkinson excels at U.S. Army National Combine

January 14, 2017

WHEELING — Cross Wilkinson ushered in the new year by taking a four-day junket to Texas. It wasn’t a vacation, but a trip that may yield big dividends for Wheeling Park’s stellar quarterback. Wilkinson was an invited guest to the prestigious U.S. Army All-American High School Combine. It was staged in San Antonio, from Jan. 5-7, in the Alamodome, and brings together a collection of the nation’s premier prep football underclassmen. The trip not only exposed the classy junior to some of the best high school players in the nation but to some of this country’s highest ...

Much-needed changes headed to OSU offense

January 8, 2017

OHIO STATE’S performance against Clemson in the college football playoff semifinals was simply shocking. Buckeyes’ boss Urban Meyer is usually the best in the business when given several weeks to prepare his team for a big game. It was obvious early on that Clemson was the better team as the Tigers totally dominated both lines of scrimmage. It baffles me how far Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett’s stock has fallen. He was once a Heisman Trophy candidate. Now some Buckeye diehards hope he doesn’t return for his final year of eligibility. Be it Barrett, the wide receivers ...

Park’s Bell an instant impact at N.C. A&T

December 11, 2016

ELIJAH BELL authored a tremendous football career at Wheeling Park. The exclamation point being the Patriots’ first-ever gridiron state championship. He didn’t skip a beat upon taking his immense talents to the next level. The athletic wide receiver just completed his freshman season at North Carolina A&T, a campaign of impressive proportions for the 6-2, 210-pounder. Bell helped the Aggies capture the MEAC title and earn a Division I FCS playoff berth. He was an impact performer for the A&T offense, so much so he was chosen the MEAC Rookie of the Year while being ...

Crutchfield enjoys work environment as much as winning

December 4, 2016

WHEELING — “This is the only job I ever want.” That was the message delivered by Jim Crutchfield during Tuesday’s Wheeling Rotary Club luncheon at WesBanco Arena. The highly successful West Liberty University head basketball coach was the guest speaker at the well-attended event. The Clarksburg native is now in his 13th year at the Hilltoppers’ hoop helm. During that time, he has built the Black & Gold into a Division II juggernaut. Under his adept tutelage, West Liberty has won 338 games while losing just 57. Crutchfield owns the highest winning percentage ...