By KIM NORTH Times Leader Sports Writer BELLAIRE — David Menendez inherits a Bellaire softball team that is in the rebuilding process. The Big Reds lost eight seniors, but return a pair of starters from two years ago after last season was wiped out due to COVID-19. Back for another ...
By SETH STASKEY Times Leader Sports Editor BELLAIRE — Like all track teams, the Bellaire Big Reds are excited to be back on the oval this spring. As Shawn Valloric prepares his boys and girls teams for the 14th consecutive spring, the veteran head coach likes the make up of his ...
By SETH STASKEY Times Leader Sports Editor BRIDGEPORT — The Bridgeport track and field program has had a changing of the guard. Robert Newhart has taken over the reins of the program and hopes to get the squad headed in the right direction. “The team is excited to be ...
By KIM NORTH Times Leader Sports Writer BRIDGEPORT — Timmy Smith has been a baseball guy is entire life. He’s about to be a softball guy. The Bridgeport High graduate takes over for Paige Williams as the Bulldogs third head coach in four seasons. Williams, who had a 10-year run at ...
By TRACY WATSON For The Times Leader BRIDGEPORT – In his third year at the Bulldogs’ helm, Bridgeport Coach Zach Winland welcomes back just three starters from his 2019 baseball team but does have a group of 11 seniors and juniors on a roster that had six players pick up diplomas last ...
By TRACY WATSON For The TImes Leader CONNORVILLE – As with a lot of teams coming off a lost season due to the pandemic, Buckeye Local’s 2021 baseball team will be an inexperienced group, with only three kids having any previous varsity playing team, with a first-year Head Coach in ...
By KIM NORTH Times Leader Sports Writer CONNORVILLE — There’s good news and bad news for the 2021 Buckeye Local softball program. On the bright side, the Panthers have 24 girls out for the sport this spring. However, only four of them have earned varsity letters in their ...
By SETH STASKEY Times Leader Sports Editor CONNORVILLE — The effects of COVID-19 are being felt everywhere. They’re clearly evident inside the Buckeye Local track program. Thankfully no one is sick and the team is moving forward. However, the virus has affected the ...
By KIM NORTH Times Leader Sports Writer CADIZ — Harrison Central welcomes back six letterwinners from the 2020 season, with all of them being veteran performers. Seniors Danyel Beadling (OF), Lexi Ferguson (INF) and Britton Positano (OF) are all 3-year vets, while juniors Abbi Jozwiak ...
By SETH STASKEY Times Leader Sports Editor CADIZ -- Scoring runs shouldn’t be a problem for Harrison Central this spring. Head coach Mike Valesko, who is entering his seventh season, believes -- like most skippers -- the season’s ultimate success will boil down to pitching. ...
By SETH STASKEY Times Leader Sports Editor CADIZ -- Finally! After watching it sit empty last season, because of the COVID-19 pandemic that led to the cancellation of spring sports in Ohio, the newly constructed track at Harrison Central was unused. That will change very soon ...
By SETH STASKEY Times Leader Sports Editor MARTINS FERRY -- Anthony Reasbeck finds himself in the same boat as many baseball coaches this spring. The veteran Purple Rider skipper looks at his roster and likes his club. But, because it’s been basically two years since they’ve ...
By KIM NORTH Times Leader Sports Writer MARTINS FERRY — After a very lengthy and successful career as head softball coach at St. John Central, Jerry Magistro was poised to take over the reins at Martins Ferry last spring. However, COVID-19 wiped out the entire campaign. While Magistro is ...
By SETH STASKEY Times Leader Sports Editor MARTINS FERRY -- As it pertains to the Martins Ferry track team, the longer the race the better. When Greg Steele looks at his Purple Rider boys and girls track teams this spring, distance contingent is a strength for both squads. ...
By TRACY WATSON For The TImes Leader WOODSFIELD – The only thing for certain in the Monroe Central baseball program heading into the 2021 season is that Head Coach Troy Baker will be back for his fourth season and the Seminoles will get the opportunity to take the field following a lost ...
By SETH STASKEY Times Leader Sports Editor WOODSFIELD -- Numbers and experience are down at Monroe Central. But, spirits are not as head coach Derik Shirley begins his 12th season. The Seminoles have only five competitors combined between the boys and girls teams with three ...
By KIM NORTH Times Leader Sports Writer HANNIBAL — River returns eight letterwinners from two seasons ago as head coach Dave Wright enters his 17th season as head coach. Last season was canceled by the Ohio High School Athletic Association due to COVID-19 safety precautions. Wright ...
By TRACY WATSON For The Times Leader HANNIBAL – With years of experience in local youth and high school baseball as a head coach, assistant coach and long-time Ohio Valley umpire, Tim Blue comes full circle in 2021, returning to his alma-mater to take over the baseball program at River ...
By SETH STASKEY Times Leader Sports Editor HANNIBAL -- Mike Flannery begins another season at the helm of the River track teams with solid numbers. Those two factors have led to cautious optimism around the seemingly always competitive program. BOYS The Pilots return a solid ...
By KIM NORTH Times Leader Sports Writer SHADYSIDE — The youth movement is on for the Shadyside softball program. Of the 16 players on the roster, only two are seniors and one a junior. There are seven sophomores and half-a-dozen freshmen. The seniors — Kylie Jo Baker (SS/P) and Tory ...