HOLLAND: ‘Experiment in unselfishness’ drove ’Jackets

March 23, 2023

For 25 games, the Williamstown boys basketball team was unbeatable. Though the 2022-23 season didn’t have the ending the Yellowjackets hoped for, falling to Charleston Catholic in the Class AA state semifinals, head coach Scott Sauro was proud of what this year’s group accomplished. Proud not just because of the win total, but because they tried something not a lot of teams would try. “I told these guys two months ago, ‘What we’re doing here is an experiment in unselfishness,’” Sauro said following Williamstown’s 57-54 loss to the Irish last Friday. In that game, ...

SMITH: Take your mark, half marathon training starts now

March 11, 2023

This can be your year. Registration for the Parkersburg News and Sentinel Half Marathon is open. You can register now and save a little money and provide yourself with the motivation to get ready for Aug. 19. The News and Sentinel Half Marathon and the News and Sentinel Two-Mile race has ...

PATRICK: The Perfect Storm

February 28, 2023

Something strange in the air Saturday. High school basketball for Ohio teams in the Mid-Ohio Valley felt it. Marietta College felt it. I felt it. Seven teams seeking to advance in a postseason setting. Throw in a couple of amazing finishes on the national scene and you have the perfect storm. Noon: Checked in on a nationally-televised college men’s game featuring a school from hometown area of Iowa City, Iowa. Michigan State at Iowa. Iowa falls behind by 13 with less than two minutes in regulation. Announcers basically calling it in and referring to the next game for both ...

PATRICK: Parkersburg South set for success in the pool

February 21, 2023

Best assistant coaches in the state for high school swimming? Difficult to argue that statement. During Parkersburg South’s run to a second consecutive state title in boys swimming, without fail head coach Ryan Radcliff made sure to mention the impact of his assistants Jim Pursley and Don Bailey. A bit of bias, maybe. Spot on, possibly. With a combined 28 years of service to Patriots swimming, Pursley and Bailey have seen the program blossom with three boys state titles in the past seven years and a girls field on the rise. And to think it all began with second-hand equipment – ...

BEVINS: Philly or KC? How to pick if you don’t really care

February 10, 2023

There are 32 teams in the NFL, but as we approach Super Bowl Sunday, only two are left standing. So even if you are a football fan, chances are, your team won’t be taking the field. Nevertheless, the Super Bowl remains a social event and you’ll probably be watching the game. Given that the commercials just don’t seem as exciting as they used to, wouldn’t it be more fun if you had a rooting interest in the game? This year, I don’t have any trouble choosing a side. The Philadelphia Eagles are divisional rivals of my favorite team, the Washington Whaddayacallems, and while I may ...

MYERS: WVU ends on a high note

November 28, 2022

Freshman running back Jaylen Anderson burst onto the scene in the final game of the 2022 season by breaking two third quarter touchdown runs of 54 and 57 yards within three minutes of playing time turning a deficit into an eventual upset of Oklahoma State 24-19. For much of the 2022 season the Mountaineers lacked explosive plays, but the two Anderson runs along with a Garrett Greene 36 yard TD scamper in the first half were the difference on a day when the Cowboys had more first downs, more total yards, and far fewer penalties. Greene left the game in the third quarter after a hard hit ...