The Parkersburg South High School girls’ basketball team was honored Tuesday night by the Wood County Board of Education for being the Class AAAA state championship runners-up. The Patriots finished the season 19-6 but lost to rival Parkersburg High School 59-53 in the Charleston Coliseum March 14. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)

PARKERSBURG — The Wood County Board of Education recognized student athletes from around the district Tuesday night for their accomplishments at the state level, including the Parkersburg High School girls’ basketball team who won the Class AAAA state championship against crosstown rival Parkersburg South.

“It was a well-played game between Parkersburg South and PHS,” Superintendent Christie Willis said. “I hated that one of the two teams had to lose, and after watching them both play, I felt that even more.”

The Big Reds defeated the Patriots 59-53 in the Charleston Coliseum March 14 after falling to South twice in the regular season.

The board also recognized the South girls’ basketball team for their success in the tournament, placing as the runners-up. The Patriots finished the season 19-6.

The Williamstown High School girls’ basketball team was also recognized for their achievement in finishing as the runners-up in the Class AA state tournament as the No. 2 seed, losing a tough one to No. 1 seed James Monroe.

The Williamstown High School girls’ basketball team was recognized by the Wood County Board of Education Tuesday night for finishing as the runners-up in the Class AA state tournament. The Yellowjackets entered the tournament as the No. 2 seed but fell to No. 1 seed James Monroe 50-26 in the final. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)

The board also acknowledged the success of the PHS wrestling teams, after both the boys and the girls finished as the 2026 Division 1 state wrestling runners-up earlier this month. Individual achievements included: Anniya Powell, state champion in 120-pound weight class; Amiya Powell, state champion in 125-pound weight class; Aiden Linko, state champion in 106-pound weight class; Seth Drennen, state champion in 120-pound weight class, Stephen Myers, state champion in 138-pound weight class and Dominic Way, state champion in the 157-pound weight class.

The Williamstown High School wrestling team was also honored after finishing as the runners-up in the 79th annual West Virginia State Wrestling Tournament earlier this month.

Individuals from the Parkersburg South High School wrestling teams were honored for their achievements during the state wrestling meet earlier this month. Jesse Adams was recognized as the 190-pound weight class state champion and D1 Most Outstanding Wrestler and Justice Anthony as the 114-pound weight class and 4-time state champion.

The PHS girls’ swim team, which finished as runners-up in the West Virginia High School State Swim Meet in Morgantown late February, was also recognized. The team finished with 57 points, one behind the champion George Washington.

“Wood County is beyond blessed to have this kind of amazing talent here,” Willis said. “And when you all come in, do what you did tonight, think about these elementary and middle school kids who look up to you, because they want to be a Big Red, they want to be a Patriot, they want to be a Yellowjacket and carry all that tradition. So thank you all for being here tonight.”

The Parkersburg High School girls’ swim team was recognized by the Wood County Board of Education Tuesday night for finishing as the runners-up at the 2026 Division 1 West Virginia High School State Swim Meet in Feb. The team finished with 57 points, one behind the champion George Washington. Pictured are: Coach Emily Martin, Samantha Farinash, Lillian Farinash and assistant coach Isaac Bond. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)

Board member Judy Johnson said it was great having an auditorium full of champions and talented athletes.

“They are also blessed with very supportive family and communities,” Johnson said. “So I’d like to thank everyone out there for supporting Wood County Schools, because we have a great place to live.”

Board member Ron Tice, a former coach himself, said that playing in a championship game is something these athletes will never forget.

“They may forget a lot of things. They’re not going to forget playing down in Charleston. They will never forget that,” Tice said.

A gallery of photos of all the recognized students can be found in the online version of this story.

The Parkersburg High School wrestling teams were honored Tuesday night by the Wood County Board of Education after both the boys and the girls finished as the 2026 Division 1 state wrestling runners-up earlier this month. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)

Douglass Huxley can be reached at dhuxley@newsandsentinel.com

Individuals from the Parkersburg High School wrestling teams were honored Tuesday night by the Wood County Board of Education for their achievements during the state wrestling meet earlier this month. Pictured are: Anniya Powell, state champion in 120-pound weight class; Amiya Powell, state champion in 125-pound weight class; Aiden Linko, state champion in 106-pound weight class; Seth Drennen, state champion in 120-pound weight class; Stephen Myers, state champion in 138-pound weight class and Dominic Way, state champion in the 157-pound weight class. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)

The Williamstown High School wrestling team was honored by the Wood County Board of Education Tuesday night after finishing as the runners-up in the 79th annual West Virginia State Wrestling Tournament earlier this month. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)

Individuals from the Parkersburg South High School wrestling teams were honored Tuesday night by the Wood County Board of Education for their achievements during the state wrestling meet earlier this month. Pictured are: boys head coach Shaun Smith, Jesse Adams, 190-pound weight class state champion and D1 Most Outstanding Wrestler, Justice Anthony, 114-pound weight class and 4-time state champion and girls’ coach Dustin Anthony. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)