Patriots’ Jordan Mader didn’t settle

May 2, 2018

As the number implies, competition in high school No. 1 singles’ tennis isn’t easy. A leap in playing ability for anyone new to the position can be an eye opener. Physically, players must be ready to put opponents away with hard shots and tough serves, while possessing the mental mindset of constant perseverance no matter how hard matches may get. Jordan Mader saw those challenges first hand after she captured the seed in challenge matches. The Parkersburg South senior faced some of the toughest competition West Virginia has to offer because of their region. But she didn’t ...

Crusader Aidan Roberts’ eye of the tiger

May 1, 2018

Beneath Aidan Roberts’ polite and composed demeanor lies a caged beast he only lets out when on the tennis court. The Parkersburg Catholic tennis player’s competitive nature and a controlled fury explode out of him through his weapon of choice, a tennis racquet, aimed straight at his opponent. The display can be a little unnerving with Roberts still appearing in complete control throughout a match. It is little surprise the Crusader sophomore has such a creature inside him once I found out his thrill for the fight. “I love to be challenged,” said Roberts. He certainly has ...

This week in MOV athletics

April 30, 2018

Hold on to something strong Little Kanawha Conference baseball fans, because we have some drama ahead this week in the final games of the league’s regular season. Ritchie County’s 8-6 road win over LKC West foe Williamstown Saturday meant the battle to join Ravenswood, Gilmer County and Braxton County in the LKC semifinals reached a boiling point. Dan Vannoy’s Rebels now sit at 7-3 in the West, while Terry Smith’s Yellowjackets are 7-2. Williamstown has one game left to play in the pod (Parkersburg Catholic on Tuesday) and Ritchie County has two pod games left (Wirt today and ...

Crusaders’ Marie Discini is razor sharp

April 27, 2018

Marie Discini burst onto the Class AA/A high school tennis scene last season with a command and conquer attitude. No opponent was afraid of her which meant she had to bring her A game each and every match. Advantage for her ... The Parkersburg Catholic netter brought her years of United State Tennis Association experience and an all-around strong game to the court. The freshman’s philosophy and talents led her on a blitzkrieg through an undefeated regular season, to a regional championship, and then to a No. 1 singles’ state title after an impressive 6-1, 6-2 defeat of ...

This week in MOV athletics

April 23, 2018

Three huge baseball games and a giant softball game highlight the upcoming seven days in the Mid-Ohio Valley Prep Sports’ scene. Fans will have to wait out the week to get to the biggest baseball game at 7:30 p.m. Friday night at Wheeling’s I-470 stadium. Top-seeded Wheeling Park and second-seeded Parkersburg South meet for the Ohio Valley Athletic Conference 5A crown on what forecasts to be a solid evening weatherwise. A tip of my cap goes out to South pitcher Colin Bryant for a gutsy performance in the blue and white, with a touch of red’s 1-0 win over Morgantown in an OVAC ...

Rewind The Clock

April 19, 2018

Time goes by and doesn’t stop for anyone. It’s hard to believe how horrid this spring has been, but everyone on the local sports scene just has to push on and hope for warmer and drier days ahead. I’m unsure if anyone reading this ever has watched the 2016 movie titled “Bleed for This” or not, but I highly recommend it. It’s a movie about former boxer Vinny Pazienza, who lost a friend in a car accident, which also caused Pazienza — aka The Pazmanian Devil — to have a broken neck and nearly end his boxing career. As it turned out, “Vinny Paz” was able to battle ...