Cloudy early with scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. High near 85F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%..
Tonight
Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming foggy and damp after midnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 71F. Winds light and variable.
Cloudy early with scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. High near 85F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%..
Tonight
Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming foggy and damp after midnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 71F. Winds light and variable.
HUNTINGTON Ƶ Huntington High coach John Dempsey understands why Point Pleasant has won four straight West Virginia Class AA state wrestling championships.
ƵJust won four in a row. ItƵs a learning experience for us,Ƶ Dempsey said. ƵTheyƵve got a lot of crafty guys. TheyƵre very good.Ƶ
Point Pleasant, top-ranked in the Mountain State in Class AA, knocked off the Highlanders, 42-27, in a dual Thursday night at Lucas-Archer Gymnasium.
The Big Blacks had nine overall wins, counting forfeits. Still, coach John Bonecutter knows his team has work to do if it hopes to make it five states in a row come March in Huntington.
ƵWeƵve got a very mixed group,Ƶ Bonecutter said.
Point PleasantƵs roster shows 18 freshmen and two seniors.
ƵWeƵre very young,Ƶ Bonecutter said. ƵWeƵre like a puzzle. ItƵs 1,000 pieces and itƵs not out of the box yet. Got some experienced guys, they know what to do. A lot of others have got to grow up.Ƶ
Still, Dempsey would like to see the Highlanders find that winning form of Point Pleasant.
ƵThis shows what we have to do to be better,Ƶ Dempsey said. ƵWe should be in better situation two months from now. WeƵre starting to figure out a lineup. The problems we have we have to fix.Ƶ
Garrin Arthur, defending state champ for No. 5 Huntington, got the home teamƵs first win of the night by pinfall at 126 pounds. He stuck Isaiah Hindy with a cradle at 1:55.
ƵI wrestle everybody the same,Ƶ the sophomore said. ƵCanƵt react to whoƵs out there. Take what I do in the practice room to the mat. Tried for the cradle a few times, then I kind of gave up a bit, then it was there and I decided to take it.Ƶ
HuntingtonƵs Matt Can took a 14-9 decision over Caden Hill at 175 to halt a run of six straight weight class wins for the Big Blacks. Hill had a chance to get a pin in the second, but Can fought him off. Can is destined now to compete at this weight.
ƵTee it up,Ƶ Can said. ƵPushing the pace, be aggressive. ƵOn my back. I made a mistake. I got out. Started getting nervous, but got past it. NobodyƵs going to outwork me. I got him tired, more than me.Ƶ
Huntington returns to action Friday in the Mountain State Athletic Conference Championships at Parkersburg High.
Point PleasantƵs next action is Saturday in the Claymont (Ohio) Duals.
Point Pleasant 42, Huntington 27
103 Ƶ Cam Felder (HHS) win by forfeit; 113 Ƶ Bobby Minor (PP) dec. Nate Volk (HHS), 6-3; 120 Ƶ Nathan Wood (PP) dec. Ben Barrett (HHS), 5-1; 126 Ƶ Garrin Arthur (HHS) p. Isaiah Hindy (PP), 1:55; 132 Ƶ Gunner Andrick (PP) p. James St. Clair (HHS), 1:43; 138 Ƶ Conner Blessing (PP) dec. Joe Riggs (HHS), 4-2; 144 Ƶ Ethan Kincaid (PP) dec. Jeff Hood (HHS), 7-3; 150 Ƶ Andrew Schoon (PP) win by forfeit; 157 Ƶ Bryce Holcomb (PP) win by forfeit; 165 Ƶ Josh Woyan (PP) p. Kaiden Gore (HHS), :46; 175 Ƶ Mac Cann (HHS) dec. Caden Hill (PP), 14-9; 190 Ƶ Max Specht (HHS) p. Jake Roberts (PP), 3:55; 215 Ƶ Luke Moffit (PP) p. Tavion Canady (HHS), :58; 285 Ƶ Matt Adkins (HHS) p. Noah Canterbury (1:59).
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