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 ...

ALBRIGHT: Calhoun County girls basketball can run it back in 2022

May 11, 2021

One year ago, the 2020 Calhoun County girl’s basketball team constructed a convincing argument to be the best in the history of the program. It didn’t take long for another group to come along and eclipse them. Take a bow, 2021 Red Devils. By running all the way to the state semifinals, they became the first team (boys or girls) to win a game at the state tournament. Sure, Cameron cut that stay short during the very next contest, but the overall compilation of work screamed a success - a 14-5 record, with a sectional and regional championship undoubtedly is something ...