ALBRIGHT: PHS girls’ basketball doesn’t need to look far for its next head coach

July 16, 2021

It’s time. Parkersburg High’s Phil Wilson deserves better, and quite frankly so do his coaching abilities. If an assistant coach’s job is to be prepared to step in at a moment’s notice to assume head coaching duties, then Wilson’s gone above and beyond the call — repeatedly. It is no wonder he’s celebrated the Big Reds’ recent two state championships harder than most. “He’s put pretty much everything into the program,” daughter Bre Wilson said. Exactly. And now his reward should be the head coaching job of one of the premier programs in the state. Save the ...

ALBRIGHT: Williamstown’s incredible sports year speaks to more than just the talent of its athletes

July 4, 2021

Those in the know were well aware of Williamstown High athletics’ high hopes for 2021. But that? It’s one thing to talk about winning four state championships. Actually, going out and getting it done is something else entirely. Achieving that kind of success requires an immense amount of talent, patience and dedication to hard work. Every day. Every hour. Every minute. Thankfully for the community, it became quite clear the Yellowjacket teams possessed all of the right stuff in bunches at the right time. Heck, Ella Hesson, Brianna Winsett and the girls’ cross country team ...

ALBRIGHT: Parkersburg High’s throwing trio took pressure off the rest of their teammates

June 15, 2021

When did it become clear Parkersburg High School would be among the favorites to win the Class AAA boys’ track and field state championship? When the Big Reds qualified three different athletes in the shot put and discus. Seriously. That blessing gave PHS head coach Rod O’Donnell and ...

ALBRIGHT: Hurricane’s Lexi Smolder, Cabell Midland’s Hanley Riner fighting for the No. 1 girls singles’ state title? Duh.

May 27, 2021

It began with a marathon and continued with a bang. Hurricane’s Lexi Smolder and Cabell Midland’s Hanley Riner renewed their postseason rivalry Wednesday with a 9-8 (4) tiebreaking barnburner filled with all the excitement one could possibly want. Riner, who anxiously awaited this match since she fell to Smolder one week ago at the Mountain State Athletic Conference tournament 9-8 (5), delivered an outstanding performance including some incredible rallies, backbreaking shots, and some “Come On” shouts that scared away the birds. Not surprising anyone, Smolder matched her ...

ALBRIGHT: Tyler Consolidated sophomore Jayden Helmick already mastering the lead-off spot

May 17, 2021

Great lead-off hitters are not a dime-a-dozen in baseball. Try as they might, managers from high school all the way up through the majors sometimes struggle finding someone capable of setting the table for their offense. Therein lies the beauty at Tyler Consolidated High School. Robbie Jones’ group - whose only way to get any younger would be by taking the lone junior off the team - need not worry about this conundrum. Goodbye, Mr. Now-Batting-Leadoff: Mystery Man. Hello, sophomore Jayden Helmick. As strange as it may seem to talk about someone so young immediately and ...

BENNETT: Fun ride at the state tourney

May 13, 2021

As I was sitting in the media room following Williamstown’s 50-47 Class AA state championship game victory versus Poca on Saturday afternoon and looking up at the podium, it was 100% all smiles for ‘Jacket boss Scott Sauro along with players Sam Cremeans, Xavier Caruthers and Baylor ...