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Basketball Preview 2022-23

River returns bulk of roster from 21-win squad

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 ...

Ferry has high hopes for season

By BUBBA KAPRAL For The Times Leader MARTINS FERRY - Derek Edwards begins his seventh season at the helm of the Martins Ferry boys’ hoop program. It is a campaign in which he harbors greats hopes for. Edwards, a former Associated Press D-III Coach-of-the-Year, likes the physical and ...

Bellaire plans to use its speed to apply pressure

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, ...

Barnesville experiencing a youth movement

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), ...

UL features veteran cast

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 ...

St. Clairsville must replace four starters

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 ...