I don’t wanna grow up

July 3, 2018

While the title of this column may not lend itself to being worthy of the sports pages, I ask you to keep reading for a deeper meaning. Toys ‘R’ Us stores around the world closed their doors for the final time late last week. Reaction among millennials, including myself, was shock as many of our parents could tell stories of the thousands of dollars they and we (the children) spent inside the walls of the toy giant in the 1990s. Geoffrey Giraffe’s (the company’s mascot) many hangouts had all the latest and trending toys. Those buildings were the places to be for many ...

Anna Hayton’s life stays eventful

June 25, 2018

Former Parkersburg South center Anna Hayton has had an eventful two years while a member of the University of Charleston women’s basketball program. Dull moments have been hard to come by as she has dealt with everything from injuries and culture shock to an increased school workload and becoming an avid boater during her time as a Golden Eagle. Life wasted little time throwing Hayton her first curveball after the UC women’s basketball season got underway. Rebounds and starting time were usually hers for the taking during her four years at Parkersburg South. Her physical brand of ...

Reds’ legends open camp

June 19, 2018

VIENNA — Micah Atkinson is looking forward to working on his pitching this week at the silver edition of the Cincinnati Reds Legends Clinic. “I don’t have much control of my fastball,” said the 12-year-old, who plays for the Blue Jays in Vienna. “So, I’m a slow pitcher.” Atkinson, who will be making his sixth appearance at the Reds Legends event, said he’s also a shortstop and second baseman. “I can play anywhere,” he said. The annual 3-day youth baseball and softball camp got underway Monday morning at the Vienna Rec Fields in Jackson Memorial Park. Bronson ...

Lucas on other side of BACF

June 14, 2018

Friday evening in St. Marys, the 25th annual Battle Against Cystic Fibrosis All-Star Football Classic will take place. A pair of old colleagues have had the chance to hang out and enjoy some memories from the past as Ohio head coach Mike Flannery, who is the head man at River, asked former Wirt County gridiron boss Mike Lucas to join him as an assistant. Of course, Lucas and Flannery had a few head-to-head battles back in the day with Lucas leading the Tigers while Flannery was in charge at Paden City. “He had some really good teams at Paden City and we were fortuante to have ...

Talking ’Eers & Bucks

June 12, 2018

They’re here, and it seems like they’re getting earlier and earlier every year. They are the preseason college football preview magazines on the newstands. Amazingly, West Virginia is seen by both Street & Smith’s and Athlon Sports finishing at No. 22 in the nation, Athlon at 8-4 and third behind Oklahoma and Texas in the Big 12 while Street & Smith’s has the Mountaineers trailing just the Sooners. Anything about WVU starts with QB Will Grier, “the top quarterback in the Big 12,” said Street & Smith’s, which touts him as a Heisman hopeful who “has all the tools for ...

Sheppard hanging up gloves

June 10, 2018

Following more than 100 professional bouts, promoter Mike Sheppard officially has decided to hang things up and retire as a fighter. “I’m just not going to compete anymore. I’m 43 and I’m tired,” admitted Sheppard, who noted his 40th show will take place on Saturday, July 28 at the The Gough Hazard off Core Road. “I don’t have any kickboxing fights right now, but I’ve got about 20 fights. Everybody is wanting to fight.” Sheppard, still a teacher at Wirt County High School where he won a pair of state mat crowns, was a four-time world kickboxing champion and fought ...