WV HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL
From our Newspapers
Return
Intra-County Contest Highlights
Busy Girls Basketball Schedule
A full slate of games is on tap tonight in girls high school basketball action as four Harrison County teams will be playing.
Notre Dame hosts South Harrison, Lincoln is at home against Big 10 foe Grafton and Robert C. Byrd travels to East Fairmont.
At Notre Dame, the Irish and the Hawks are both coming off opening game losses as ND was defeated by Clay-Battelle and SH lost to Lincoln.
Notre Dame is led by the perimeter play of Toni Kay Oliverio and Angie Martino while Clarice Dent powers the Irish inside game.
Dent led the Irish with 14 points in the loss to the Cee-Bees while Oliverio scored 13 and Martino chipped in nine.
South Harrison is led by Amber Morrison and Melissa Dawson. Morrison scored 12 markers in the opening game while Dawson added 10.
Game time is 6 p.m.
In Shinnston, the Cougars enter the contest 1-0 after the big win over South Harrison while the Bearcats come into the game after a two-point loss to RCB. Game time is 7:30 p.m.
Chrissy Luchuck continues to lead LHS as she scored 23 points while two freshmen, Tabitha Hutson and Teresa Medina, made major contributions Wednesday night. Hutson finished the game with eight points, 11 rebounds and seven assists while Medina scored 10 points.
Jodi Bias led the Bearcats with 10 points in their loss.
In Fairmont, the Eagles are coming off a hard-fought victory over Grafton as they travel to play the Bees, who will be playing their first game of the season.
Leah Yertzell led RCB with 13 points in the win. Game time is 7:30 p.m.
Other area games: Braxton County at Clay County, Buckhannon-Upshur at North Marion, Clay-Battelle at Cameron, Ritchie County at Doddridge County, Webster County at Fayetteville, Elkins at Morgantown and Gilmer County at the Tygarts Valley Tournament.
Nicholas County at Lewis County, Paden City at the Tygarts Valley Tournament, Philip Barbour at Preston, Petersburg at Keyser, Tucker County vs. Parkersburg Catholic at the Williamstown Tournament, Valley Wetzel at Tyler Consolidated and Union at East Hardy.
Updated December 13, 1996
Lincoln Thumps Hawks, 68-39;
R.C. Byrd Trims Grafton, 34-32
LOST CREEK _ Chrissy Luchuck fired in a game-high 23 points to lead Lincoln to a 68-39 victory over South Harrison in the opening girls basketball contest for both schools Wednesday night at the SHHS gymnasium.
Luchuck, a 5-6 senior shooting guard, made 8-of-16 shots from the floor which included 6-of-10 from 3-point range.
"We shot the ball extremely well,"stated Lincoln coach Jeff Osbourn. "We were very unselfish, played good team basketball, passed and moved well on offense and it was just a tremendous effort.
"Chrissy Luchuck was in the zone and we were trying to get her the ball. We made our free throws (22-of-32) and simply played an excellent basketball game."
Tabitha Hutson, a freshman playing in her first varsity basketball game at point guard for the Cougars, had a solid performance. She had eight points, led all rebounders by grabbing 11, took game honors in assists with seven and recorded two steals.
Luchuck got things going for Lincoln in the first quarter with a trey and seven points to stake the Cougars to a six-point, 14-8, spread as the period came to a close.
She continued to be hot from the perimeter in the second quarter hitting consecutive 3-pointers to give LHS a 12-point, 22-10, advantage with 6:16 left until halftime.
The Hawks never really got going on offense in the game. And that, coupled with Lincoln's execution throughout the contest, spelled disaster.
"The good thing is that this is only one ball game and I told the girls in the locker room, they have the ability to change things,"remarked SHHS coach Joe Johnson. "It was just an overall bad game for us and there is no other way to put it."
The Cougars increased their margin over the remainder of the second quarter to as many as 18 points on three occasions. The last being 38-20 at the break on a Hutson steal and subsequent layup in the final seconds.
Lincoln put the game away in the third period with a 21-10 quarter to take a comfortable 59-30 advantage into the final stanza. Luchuck made three trifectas and 10 points in the canto.
Freshman forward Teresa Medina also had a good performance in her first varsity contest as she finished in double figures for the Cougars with 10 points.
Amber Morrison paced the Hawks with 12 points followed by Melissa Dawson with 10.
Lincoln (68)
A. Luchuck 1 0-0 2; Medina 2 6-6 10; C. Luchuck 8 1-2 23; J. Lambert 1 2-2 4; Barron 1 5-8 7; Hutson 3 2-2 8; S. Lambert 2 2-2 6; Cochran 1 0-2 2; Wentz 0 4-8 4; McCray 1 0-0 2; Totals 20 22-32 68.
South Harrison (39)
Dawson 3 4-6 10; Smith 3 0-0 6; Davisson 1 0-0 2; Morrison 4 4-6 12; Nutter 0 0-2 0; Young 1 0-3 2; Gerwig 1 0-0 2; Kirk 2 1-2 5; Carroll 0 0-1 0; Totals 15 9-20 39.
Lincoln
14
24
21
9_68
South
Harrison
8
12
10
9_39
3-Point Goals:
_ C. Luchuck (6).
ROBERT C. BYRD 34, Grafton 32:
Robert C. Byrd overcame a 15-6 fourth quarter effort by Grafton to down the Bearcats 34-32 in girls basketball last night at the GHS gym.
The Eagles came into the final canto with a comfortable 11-point advantage. But, pressure defense enabled the Bearcats to crawl back into the contest. However, RCB controlled the ball in the closing minutes to end the rally.
"Defensively, we played pretty well. In the fourth quarter, our experience helped us weather through the storm,"remarked Eagle coach Bill Bennett. "We had a game like this last year and wound up with the loss. But, we overcame what happened last year and came out with the 'W.' It was a total team effort."
Leah Yertzell led the way for the Eagles as she was the lone player to reach double figures for the victors as she ended with 13.
In a losing effort, Jodi Bias scored 10 points for Grafton.
Robert C. Byrd (34)
Veltri 2 0-2 4; Post 1 1-4 3; Gray 1 0-0 2; Richison 2 2-4 6; Yertzell 4 3-4 13; Secret 0 0-1 0; Waugaman 2 2-2 6; Totals 12 8-14 34.
Grafton (32)
Stevens 0 1-2 1; Sayres 1 2-3 4; Villaraza 1 2-6 4; Maier 2 4-6 8; Sansberry 1 1-6 3; Bolyard 1 0-0 2; Bias 1 8-8 10; Totals 7 18-31 32.
Robert C. Byrd
8
7
13
6_34
Grafton
7
4
6
15_32
3-Point Goals:
Yertzell (2).correction
PHILIP BARBOUR 71, Liberty 33:
Amy Markley scored a game-high 26 points to pace homestanding Philip Barbour over Liberty 71-33 last night in prep girls basketball action.
Markley capped off an all-around performance with seven rebounds and five assists while five teammates chipped in six markers apiece.
"We got a lot of fast break points and a lot of steals in the final two quarters to build the lead,"said PB coach Tammy Martin. "Everybody had jitters tonight and we could have played better.
"Amy had a good game but I have seen her play better, also."
Julie Bee led the Mountaineers with 11 points.
Liberty (33)
M.Nichols 2 1-2 6; K.Nichols 2 0-0 4; Bee 4 3-3 11; Robinson 1 1-2
3; Bland 0 0-4 0; Kopp 3 0-1 6; Goff 1 0-2 2; Fisher 0 1-2 1; Totals 13 6-16 33.
Philip Barbour (71)
Poling 3 0-0 6; Nestor 2 0-0 4; Kroll 3 0-0 6; Moore 3 0-0 6; Auvil 1 0-0 2; Thompson 2 0-2 4; Maunz 3 0-0 6; Shubert 2 2-9 6; Markley 12 2-6 26; Daugherty 1 3-6 5; Totals 32 7-23 71.
Liberty
3
11
8
11_33
Philip Barbour
13
15
20
23_71
3-Point Goals:
M.Nichols.
Updated December 12, 1996
Clutch Foul Shooting Crucial
In Cee-Bees' 48-44 Win over ND
Clay-Battelle made three of four foul shots in the final 30 seconds to seal a 48-44 victory over Notre Dame Tuesday night in girls high school basketball action.
The Cee-Bees made 12-of-16 foul shots on the night and used the Irish's cold first-half shooting to their advantage.
After the Irish tied the game at 2-2, the visitors went on a 14-6 run to end the first quarter as Jamie Moore scored six of her game-high 18 points in the surge.
The Irish began to warm up in the final two minutes of the second quarter as they cut the deficit to seven, 26-19, on a 6-2 run to end the first half.
"I think the biggest thing ... in the first half, a few of the Clay-Battelle girls got to our girls mentally and took them out of the ballgame," said ND coach Steve Gibson. "Anytime you take a girl out mentally you lose all aspects of her game."
Notre Dame responded at the beginning of the second half as it came out with a hot hand.
The Irish opened the third quarter on an 8-3 run to tie the game at 27-all as Clarice Dent and Toni Kay Oliverio each scored four points in the surge.
But the Cee-Bees did not fold as they regained a three-point lead at the end of the quarter as Della Moore buried a 3-pointer at the buzzer.
In the final canto, neither team was able to build a substantial lead with C-B's biggest margin coming after J. Moore made two free throws with 2:43 left in the game to give the visitors a 43-39 advantage.
The Irish's biggest lead was one, 44-43, with 1:44 left when T. Oliverio canned a 3-pointer and Dent scored on a putback after J. Moore's two foul shots.
Marsha Arnett put the game away for the Cee-Bees as she scored the final five points of the contest. She finished with 15 markers as she and J. Moore were C-B's only double digit scorers.
Dent led the Irish with 14 points while T. Oliverio added 13.
"I was real pleased (with our performance in the second half)," stated Gibson. "At the beginning of the season, I felt my inside game would be stronger than what it was last year and I think that was evident tonight.
"I think our guards came out a little cold but as the season progresses, with their experience, it is going to help us out as the younger girls come along."
Clay-Battelle (48)
Wise 1 0-0 2; J.Moore 4 9-12 18; R.Moore 0 0-0 0; D.Moore 3 0-0 7; Arnett 6 3-4 15; Spears 3 0-0 6; Totals 17 12-16 48.
Notre Dame (44)
Me.Ferro 2 0-0 4; Vozniak 1 0-0 2; Dent 7 0-2 14; Martino 4 0-2 9; T.Oliverio 6 0-1 13; C.Oliverio 0 0-0 0; Freemen 1 0-0 2; Totals 19 0-5 44.
Clay-Battelle
16
10
10
12_48
Notre Dame
8
11
14
11_44
3-Point
Goals:
J.Moore, D.Moore, Martino, T.Oliverio.
Updated December 11, 1996
Girls Basketball Games, Wrestling Match,
Cheerleading Competition Slated Tonight
An intra-Harrison County matchup, featuring two teams expected to be Class AA and Big 10 title contenders, highlights tonight's girls basketball schedule.
South Harrison, which played in the Class AA state tournament last year, hosts Lincoln. Game time is 7:30 p.m.
The Hawks return two key members of last year's squad in 5-9 point guard Melissa Dawson and 5-9 shooting guard Amber Morrison. Both are stellar players and will be counted on heavily until the Hawks' youthful front line develops.
The Cougars counter with a team that may include two freshmen in the starting lineup. Senior guard Chrissy Luchuck and senior forward Stacy Lambert, the two leading scorers from last year, return to provide leadership but the development of LHS's young players will be pivotal in determining the squad's level of success.
Three other Harrison County teams will be in action, but they will be on the road. Bridgeport travels to Preston, Robert C. Byrd visits Grafton and Liberty plays at Philip Barbour. All three are Big 10 Conference contests.
Other area games: Franklin at Circleville; University at Elkins; Union at Harman; Morgantown at Parkersburg; Ravenswood at Ritchie County; Tucker County at Hampshire County; Wirt County at St. Marys; and Tygarts Valley at Webster County.
___ON THE MATS:
Robert C. Byrd hosts Liberty in an intra-county wrestling match today at 6 p.m. A few grapplers from Notre Dame may also compete.
"We took some kids over to a duels match in Hedgesville and had some success," said RCBHS coach Gene Alkire. "We've got two kids, Tony Gallo and Matt Queen, who are undefeated."
___CHEERLEADING COMPETITION:
The Harrison County Middle School Cheerleading Championship will be held this evening at Lincoln High School. Doors will open at 6:15 p.m. with the competition slated to begin at 7:30. Tickets are $3 for adults and $2 for students.
Updated December 11, 1996
Gilmer Pulls Away
Late to Beat DCHS
WEST UNION _ With 2:58 remaining in the fourth quarter, Gilmer County's Tiffany Smith hit a bucket that put the guests up for good as the Titans pulled away for a 52-44 season-opening victory over Doddridge County on Tuesday night in girls prep basketball action.
GCHS started the game with a 20-7 run led by Kelley Osborn. Osborn finished with a game-high 18 while Jennifer Chambers, who was strong in the surge, added 14 for the game.
"She (Osborn) got into foul trouble early but she kept her composure," commented Gilmer coach Kenny Osborne.
The hosts then went on a 7-0 run that pulled them within four, 20-14, before Gilmer stopped the run with a hoop.
However, the final three minutes of the half belonged to DCHS as it ended it with a 12-3 spurt, led by Tabby Hayes' three 3-pointers, that gave the Bulldogs a 26-25 lead at the break.
In the third, both teams came out flat. Osborn was able to score seven points in the period, with most coming from the foul line. However, Kristi Evans kept the Bulldogs in the game with five points in the segment as GCHS led 34-33 after three periods of play.
In the fourth segment, the game swayed back and fourth until Gilmer finally took control around the three-minute mark. Smith's bucket put the Titans up for good at 42-41 and the guests never looked back.
"I thought the girls held up with great composure at the end. They knocked down 6-of-6 (free throws) at the line," commented Osborne. "They just executed well and found a way to win it."
"They almost had us out of the game early but we were able to battle back," stated DC coach Craig Kellar. "I think our bench showed up pretty good tonight. We just need to work on our defense a little bit more."
Evans and Hayes led the 'Dogs with 13 points each.
Gilmer County (52)
Osborn 3 11-12 18; Chambers 5 4-6 14; Smith 2 2-4 6; Skinner 0 4-4 4; Freshour 2 0-1 4; McClain 0 4-4 4; Lawson 1 0-1 2; Totals 13 25-32 52.
Doddridge County (44)
Evans 4 5-8 13; Hayes 5 0-0 13; Ash 2 0-0 6; Smith 2 0-0 4; Swisher 1 1-3 3; Powell 1 0-0 2; Rollins 0 1-2 1; Trent 0 1-2 1; Kelley 0 1-3 1; Totals 15 9-18 44.
Gilmer County
14
11
9
18_52
Doddrdige County
7
19
7
11_44
3-Point Goals:
_ Osborn, Hayes (3), Ash (2).
Updated December 11, 1996
ND Girls Open
At Home Tonight
Girls basketball season opens in the area tonight, but only one Harrison County team is slated for action.
Class A No. 11 Notre Dame hosts No. 9 Clay-Battelle in a small-school showdown. Game time is 7:30 p.m.
The Irish return four starters from last year's team but will rely on three newcomers in the post.
Toni Kay Oliverio, Angie Martino, Melissa Ferro and Suzanne Vozniak are back to give coach Steve Gibson plenty of experience and leadership.
Three sophomores _ Courtney Oliverio, Sara Freeman and Clarice Dent _ will see action in the paint.
"I think we're eager to play somebody else," said Gibson. "We weren't able to get a scrimmage, so the girls have just been playing against each other.
"In practice we've looked good at times ... but, without a scrimmage, it's tough to tell how we'll do in a game situation."
Gibson is confident his team will be a contender if his players continue to develop and can avoid the injuries that devastated last year's squad. T. Oliverio, Martino and Ferro each missed portions of the season.
"We're healthy and hopefully we'll stay that way," said Gibson. "We've got some quality veterans and the three new girls on the inside have improved greatly.
"I think we can actually be stronger on the inside overall. We have good size and the girls are working hard."
Gibson believes tonight's game will be a good test for his squad.
"They are ranked higher than us, so they must be good," said Gibson. "I know they return two guards who were excellent freshmen last year. And I hear they have a freshman this year that's just as good."
Other area games include: Braxton County at Nicholas County; Cameron at Hundred; Gilmer County at Doddridge County; Linsly at Magnolia; Pocahontas County at Franklin; Southern (Md.) at Petersburg; and Paden City at Mt. DeChantal.
Updated December 10, 1996
Equity Plan Moves Big 10, NCAC
Girls Games to Wednesday, Friday
High school basketball fans will need to keep their schedules handy this year because of changes in scheduling policies dictated by the state department of education.
This year in the Big 10 and NCAC conferences, girls games will be played on Wednesday and Friday. Boys games will be held primarily on Tuesday and Thursday. But, there are exceptions.
"Two years ago, when girls basketball was moved to the winter, each school submitted a 'Plan for Equal Access,"' explained Lincoln athletic director Mark DeFazio. "In the Big 10, we agreed to rotate the games on a yearly basis. One year, the girls would play on Tuesday and Thursday, the next the boys would."
This was necessary because Friday was deemed by the West Virginia Department of Education's Equity Review Panel for Athletics as a "prime" night for basketball.
"It was determined that Friday was prime time ... the prime day and it was to be shared equally," said Dr. Keith Smith, assistant state superintendent of schools.
But, other leagues and independent schools are scheduling differently. Another popular manner has girls games on Tuesday and Thursday and boys games on Wednesday and Friday one week. The squads then switch the next week, with girls playing Wednesday and Friday and boys on Tuesday and Thursday.
And that's fine, according to Smith.
"It seems in your area they are switching on a yearly basis," said Smith. "But, it may be done differently. Some are switching every other week; others are playing boys and girls games on the same night."
Of course, teams are also scheduling non-conference games whenever possible.
The end result is a very busy week of high school basketball games from which fans will have to choose.
The biggest worry for administrators is bad weather. Postponements will further complicate an already confusing situation.
"We've got girls playing Wednesday and Friday, boys playing Tuesday and Thursday and freshmen teams playing in between," said Bridgeport athletic director Larry Burner. "Even though we've tried to keep scheduling uniform in our area, it will be extremely difficult if there are many postponements.
"The freshman teams will suffer the most because their postponements will probably end up being cancellations."
Updated December 10, 1996
Home Page Our Newspapers and Services Web Page Publishing and Design
Local News
and Feature Stories Weekendz West Virginia Sports Summary
Let Us know what you think of our web site! Give us Feedback
E-mail:Webmaster@cpubco.com
Clarksburg Publishing Company, P.O. Box 2000, Clarksburg, WV 26301 USA
Copyright © Clarksburg Publishing Company 1996
Created in Netscape