WHEELING – He was a big man with a big heart whose serious illness spawned a massive outpouring of love, caring and generosity throughout the Ohio Valley.

Phil Lewton died Monday morning at the age of 57. He was a former basketball great on the prep and collegiate levels.

But more importantly, Phil was a devoted husband, father and friend to many.

Lewton was diagnosed with a serious malady just days before Christmas. His plight ignited a tidal wave of support for Lewton and his family.

Funeral services were scheduled for the former Triadelphia High hoop great this morning.

After his stellar career with the Little Reds, he starred at West Liberty and Wheeling College, earning him two NBA tryouts. He is also the all-time leading scorer in the prestigious St. Vincent’s basketball tournament.

He is also remembered by Ohio Valley basketball fans as a top-rated hoop official.

Lewton was more than just basketball. He was a people person. A man who individuals gravitated to.

Don Cash of Bridgeport, another premier OVAC hoop official, was a close friend to Phil and his family. He remained vigil throughout the final weeks and played a key role in many of the fundraising events to assist the family.

“The benefit dinner at Wheeling Country Club Sunday was unbelievable. We had 350 people there on a bad weather day. People were paying $30 for a spaghetti dinner and still making more donations,” Cash said. “The outpouring of support has been unending. I get calls everyday on people asking me what they can do to help.

“The OVAC has been super as well. Tom Rataiczak (OVAC executive secretary) and John Howell (OVAC basketball commissioner) have used their network to rally around the cause,” he continued. “The t-shirt sale sponsored by the basketball officials has been an overwhelming success. Entire teams are buying them. I have sold more than 900 shirts at $20 each with Phil’s name on them. A lot of officials have donated more than a game check.”

The magnitude of support for Lewton is not surprising. Such is the fabric of the Ohio Valley and, in this instance, Phil is one who would go the extra length to help someone in need.

“Scott Melko was a good friend of ours who was really battling a tough medical issue several years ago. We knew it was going to be a bad Christmas for the family,” Cash said. “Phil called me. He had gotten them a Christmas tree.

“He knew where the spare key was to their house. We went in when they were not home. We put the tree up,” he added. “Scott’s wife Monica still talks about it. It was all Phil’s big heart.”

Lewton is remembered by most for his basketball prowess and his officiating expertise. He was much more.

“Phil was a great basketball player but he also was a phenomenal athlete in every support. He was a 3-handicap golfer, great dart player and excellent at playing pool,” Cash said. “He was a tremendous softball player. He pitched us to the state title one year.

“Phil could do anything – skilled carpenter, electrician and block layer,” he continued. “If you were Phil’s friend he was loyal to you, he would help you and he was your friend forever, and that list of those people is so, so long.”

E.J. Schodzinski is OUE’s athletic director and former hoop star at Wheeling College. He developed a basketball and personal relationship with Lewton.

“My relationship with Phil began when I moved back to the Ohio Valley 18 years ago. Not long after, we began playing in weekend tournaments like St. Vincent’s, the Elks as well as numerous adult summer leagues. Phil was a banger and loved contact. Opposing players just bounced off of the ‘iron horse.’ I have been told by countless Ohio Valley legends like Lynn Ullom and Mark Crowe that Phil was “without a doubt the greatest player in the Ohio Valley during the 70s and early 80s,” Schodzinski said. “While Phil was rugged on the court, he was soft spoken, laid back and humble off it. In addition, he had a great sense of humor. People gravitated towards him and he had more friends than anyone else that I know.

“I am so grateful that my wife, Lorri, and I had a chance to visit with Phil on Dec. 28 at his house. He was in bad shape and was surrounded by family and many friends but his pleasant personality continued to shine through. We were able to tell lots of old stories and poke fun at him as well. Phil took at all in stride and smiled throughout our visit,” he added. “He even managed to throw us a zinger as we said our final goodbyes. He called my wife, Lorri, “the warden” in his unique, soft-spoken manner as we got ready to leave. Everyone laughed, even Lorri, as Phil’s pleasant personality shined through even in the darkest of times.”

Howell, in his role as conference basketball commissioner, had an up-close look at Lewton’s officiating work, as well as the man behind the whistle.

“I first got to know Phil when he came to classes to become a basketball official, and at that time I had no idea that he was such a good athlete. It was ironic that Phil could play basketball as physical as necessary and always claimed to be fouled when he shot the ball, and he usually was,” Howell said. “He began officiating with the idea that every player could play through contact much as he had done for years. It took him a while but Phil became a very good official and was willing to go to any school I would send him. He was a good partner to have on the court with you.

“Phil, the athlete, was a different story because he was one of the best I played softball with or against. His ability to hit a golf ball and play golf was amazing. The best decision I ever made in golf was to ask Phil to be my partner in a two man scramble that we won. I took my clubs but I didn’t need to really use them,” he continued. “Basketball was Phil’s best sport and for many years we played together on a summer league team in Shadyside. Because of Phil, we won most of our games. I believe that Phil was one of those athletes that could be very good from the first time he tried a sport, any sport.”

NFL PLAYOFFS

WILD-CARD WEEKEND was owned by road teams, as all four prevailed. It won’t be repeated this weekend.

Pittsburgh gained new life thanks to Cincinnati featuring a couple of defensive renegades, plus a costly Bengals’ fumble. The Steelers are battered and bruised en route to Denver. I look for a Broncos’ win in a defensive struggle.

New England should handle Kansas City in Foxboro while Arizona will beat Green Bay in the desert. The one road team that I see winning is Seattle at Carolina.

IN RECAPPING the Steelers’ win at Cincinnati, you would be hard-pressed of finding a dirtier player in the NFL than the Bengals’ Vontaze Burfict.

BUBBA’S BITS

I MADE my first West Liberty hoop mission Sunday at the ASRC, watching a Hilltopper sweep of Glenville State. Lynn Ullom’s women and Jim Crutchfield’s men are both fun to watch. The Lady Hilltoppers never stop running and their male counterparts never stop scoring. The WLU women are 13-1 and the men 14-0 and ranked No. 1 nationally. Seger Bonifant bombed in 30 points, showing why the Hiland product is a first-team All-American.

Ohio Valley sports fans are passionate about high school athletics. They can treat themselves to some great hoop entertainment at both West Liberty and Wheeling Jesuit.