Twice in the last two weeks, fans have gone after boys high school basketball coaches after games. The first incident happened at Spring Valleyòòò½ÊÓƵ™s game at Huntington High and included a coach being punched. The second was at Huntington Highòòò½ÊÓƵ™s game at Spring Valley, where a Wayne County deputy sheriff intercepted the offender before he could leave the bleachers. The incidents had nothing to do with one another.
Those men tarnished what has been one of the friendlier rivalries in the Tri-State and set a horrific example for everyone looking on.
The solution? Arrests. Many schools have law enforcement officers at games. Itòòò½ÊÓƵ™s time to use their authority to keep the peace.
Sure, give warnings. If such behavior advances past a line or two of jawing and into threat, however, a trip to the county lockup is warranted.
AMAZING STATS OF THE WEEK: Girls basketball players Kamryn Barnitz of Fairland, Sophi Huthison of Spring Valley and Abbie Knapp of Green each scored her 1,000th career point. Hutchison scored 20 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in an 84-40 triumph over Cabell Midland.
South Gallia boysòòò½ÊÓƵ™ basketballòòò½ÊÓƵ™s Carson Stowers set a program record with 10 3-point baskets against Symmes Valley. Racelandòòò½ÊÓƵ™s Jonah Arnett made 14 of 15 free throws in a 63-50 victory over Lewis County. Cabell Midland beat Hurricane 99-90 in boys basketball. Meigs boys basketball swept Vinton County two games in a season for the first time since 1996.
Boyd County made 20 of 40 shots from 3-point range and 41 of 71 overall in a 104-62 victory over Huntington Expression Prep.
TIGERS AND DRAGONS IN THE HALL: Ironton announced this yearòòò½ÊÓƵ™s hall of fame class. It consists of Jimmy Morris, Roman Fry, Rick Howard, Jim Wipert, Keith Parker, Merril Triplett, Rick Massie, Kim Hess, Janet Walker Jones and Willie Keith.
Fairland will induct Mike Allen, Jerry McConnell, Brianna Davis and Mike Shepherd into its hall of fame Friday before its 7:30 p.m. game with Chesapeake.
COACH SPEAK: Russell girls basketball coach Mandy Layne won her 350th game. Chesapeake girls basketball coach Chris Ball won his 200th career game.
Jimmy Smith resigned as boys soccer coach at Cabell Midland. Huntington High hired Larry Thacker as softball coach. Connor Robinson is the new baseball coach at East Carter. Fairmont Senior football coach Nick Bartic resigned. He went 87-17 with four state title with the Polar Bears.
Former Hannan basketball and Williamson track coach Larry Maynard has retired. LeeAnn Blankenship is the new baseball coach at Tug Valley.
Recruiting roundup
SIGNINGS: South Gallia trackòòò½ÊÓƵ™s Noah White and footballòòò½ÊÓƵ™s Tanner Sanders and James Sheets (Rio Grande). Portsmouthòòò½ÊÓƵ™s Preston Krebbs (Shawnee State). Meigs footballòòò½ÊÓƵ™s Dustin Vance and Zach Goble (Rio Grande).
COMMITMENTS: Martinsburg quarterback Koi Fagan and Jefferson cross countryòòò½ÊÓƵ™s Conner Myers (Marshall). Belfryòòò½ÊÓƵ™s Max Dotson, son of former Marshall player Irv Dotson, (Pikeville). Hurricane footballòòò½ÊÓƵ™s Shalik Hampton (Mercyhurst). Rock Hill footballòòò½ÊÓƵ™s Logan Hopper (Capital). Ironton footballòòò½ÊÓƵ™s Bowen Gossett (Morehead State). Cabell Midland footballòòò½ÊÓƵ™s Carson Gue (VMI) and Elijah Pratt (West Virginia State).
OFFERS: Ironton footballòòò½ÊÓƵ™s Caleb Jacobs and Luca Silva (Kent State), Kayden Edwards (Marshall, Louisville), Zayne Williams (Bowling Green), Zander Hurn (Rio Grande), Aiden Layne and Bowen Gossett (Morehead State, Ohio Dominican), Braden Schreck (St. Francis) and Braylon Sturgill (Otterbein).
Huntington High footballòòò½ÊÓƵ™s Mason Ramsey (Bowling Green, Eastern Kentucky). Former Hurricane offensive lineman Daòòò½ÊÓƵ™Ron Parks of Sarasota, Florida, Cardinal Mooney (North Carolina).
VISITS: Irontonòòò½ÊÓƵ™s Zander Hurn (Ohio Northern).
NOTES, QUOTES, ANECDOTES: Fairlandòòò½ÊÓƵ™s girls seventh- and eighth-grade basketball teams won Ohio Valley Conference championships. Portsmouthòòò½ÊÓƵ™s boys won the eighth-grade OVC title.
Ironton football picked up a home game with Liberty Christian Academy, two-time defending champion in Virginia. Former Ironton punter Avery Book of the University of Akron was named a second-team academic all-American. Rock Hill Middle Schoolòòò½ÊÓƵ™s Grayden Depriest placed second in the Gold Gloves tournament in Independence, Missouri.
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