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WHEELING - Wheeling Central and Wheeling Park haven't met in a meaningful regular-season athletic contest in quite some time. A portion of that trend will come to an end starting with the upcoming 2026-27 school year.
The two inter-city schools will start scrimmaging each other in all team sports, beginning with a boys' soccer match on Thursday when the Maroon Knights host the Patriots on the J.B. Chambers Memorial Recreation Park Turf Field on 16th Street in East Wheeling. The match starts at 7 p.m.
“We are excited for these scrimmages because playing a team like Wheeling Park will be a great tuneup for our teams,” Wheeling Central Director of Athletics Seth Staskey said. “On top of that, we’re excited for the kids and respective fanbases to get to compete against one another. I appreciate both schools’ administrations for working together to help these opportunities come to fruition.”
Wheeling Park Athletic Director Chris Daugherty said the idea for these scrimmages came about after one last winter.
"After the success of last year’s basketball scrimmage, where all of the proceeds benefited the Steve Meyer Scholarship, expanding the concept to our other team sports just made sense," Daugherty said. "After meeting with (Wheeling Central Principal) Becky (Sancomb), Seth, (Ohio County Assistant Superintendent) Rick (Jones), and discussing the possibilities together, we developed a plan that we believe will be a win for both the Wheeling Park and Wheeling Central communities.
"Not only will these events give our fans another opportunity to support their teams, but they’ll also provide a way to raise funds that can assist either athletic department or whenever a community need arises," he added.
Staskey said this isn't the first time the schools have met.
“Our schools have scrimmaged the last couple of seasons in girls soccer and last December in boys basketball," he noted. "Both were highly successful with great crowds and atmospheres that helped lay the foundation for highly successful seasons by both schools. Adding additional sports only makes sense. It’s a win-win for both schools and most importantly the kids.
“Finding scrimmages can be challenging, so it only makes sense when you consider proximity, as well as the level of competition,” Staskey offered.
Following is a list of the other scrimmages:
- Girls Soccer is Tuesday, Aug. 18 at Wheeling Island Stadium
- Girls Basketball is Saturday, Nov. 28 at Wheeling Park at 10 a.m.
- Boys Basketball is Monday, Nov. 30 at CCHS with a time to be determined
- Baseball is Saturday, March 20 at Wheeling Park
- Softball is yet to be scheduled at Wheeling Park