Official John Badgley looks on during a basketball game at the state tournament in Charleston. (Photo by Jay W. Bennett)

PARKERSBURG — A pair of local Mid-Ohio Valley basketball officials from each side of the Little Kanawha River — Sean Andrews and John Badgley — blew their whistles for the final time during head coach Dave Marshall’s historic win overseeing Bridgeport’s Class AAA 62-40 championship game victory against Nitro.

Marshall is the third head coach to win both a boys and a girls state crown, but is the first to do so at the same school.

“My first varsity game was an LKC assignment,” recalled Andrews, a veteran hoops official for 35 years who is a real estate appraiser and owner of North End Market.

“Working the boys Class AAA state championship game was an honor and a great way to go out.”

Badgley, a member of the Mid-Ohio Valley Softball Hall of Fame as an umpire, officiated more than 900 varsity games, a dozen state tournaments (six boys, six girls) and 10 state title tilts.

Official Sean Andrews looks on during a basketball game at the state tournament in Charleston. (Photo by Jay W. Bennett)

“Sean Andrews influenced me to start officiating,” admitted Badgley, who stressed Michele Smedley had been extremely supportive and understanding with his officiating career. “I wanted to earn some extra money and stay in shape when I first started officiating. Over the years I became more interested in advancing with the different levels of officiating.

“I have been truly blessed with the opportunities afforded me during my career. Other officials, administrators and coaches are all responsible for my rise through officiating. David Bowles, Joe Oliverio, Tom Perrine and Terry Nichols were all mentors during my officiating.”

The Parkersburg South graduate Badgley, who represented the Patriots in both the state golf and baseball tournaments during his prep days, also has coached PSHS at the state level in both sports.

“Badge” as he if often known said of his first varsity game three years in at Memorial Fieldhouse with the Big Reds taking on Point Pleasant “I remember how special it was to have the opportunity to work in the historic PHS Fieldhouse. I had watched so many games played in that facility. I loved the experience and will never forget it.

“Officiating the AAA boys state final game between Bridgeport and Nitro is how I wanted to go out. Being able to still work at the top level and getting to work the civic center floor as my final game is a perfect ending. I could’ve worked a few more years but not having the ending I had this year.”

Andrews, who is often seen on the streets of Parkersburg pounding pavement to always be in top form for his craft, said his influences were Dave Poling and Dave Habeb.

The PHS graduate earned his degree in criminal justice while Badgley received his in business administration, also from West Virginia University at Parkersburg.

Andrews, who played basketball and football for the red and white, noted “being consistent on both ends of the court” when asked what the hardest part about being a basketball official was.

Badgley expanded on that with “the physical and mental preparation prior to working games, working five and six games a week is tough to stay sharp and in good condition. The travel and long hours getting to and from games also takes a toll.”

Being “part of the game, exercise and camaraderie with other officials” is what Andrews, who like Badgley is a former Mountain State Official of the Year, said of what he enjoyed the most.

The ex-Big Red, who officiated a baker’s dozen state tournaments (three girls), was part of the action for 10 state finals.

“The PHS/South game was always an intense rivalry,” admitted Andrews, who also enjoyed doing Williamstown/Parkersburg Catholic and Fort Frye/Warren clashes.

He added that “it was always a great atmosphere to work games at Logan, Beckley, South and PHS.”

Badgley echoed those thoughts with “I always enjoy working at the Willie Akers Fieldhouse in Logan and at Parkersburg South.

“Both facilities allow the crowds to be right on top of the floor. Fans in both locations respect good basketball and always turn out for home games.”

With two fewer officials now on the hardwood anyone looking to get in on the action should contact the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission.

When it came to the best advice he ever received as a ref Andrews had a pair of responses “always be professional” and the “game is about the athletes not the refs.”

Contact Jay Bennett at jbennett@newsandsentinel.com