The North-South games have been for a long time a great way for the Mountain State’s elite athletes to have a proper send-off from high school competition. The lock-ups provide an opportunity to see first-hand how the top performers in the state stack up against each other in a true head-to-head battle.
There are two factors that keep the elite players from going against each other during the regular season and even postseason play. The first is scheduling during the regular season and upsets during the postseason. Athletes have nothing to do with regular season scheduling as conference play and geography are the athletic directors’ focus when putting together a schedule.
The second factor is the quality of these top players’ teammates. For example, on the basketball court if two top performers were leading their respective teams, but one of them had a great supporting cast while the other had little help, it would be an unfair playing field. The second player would exert way more energy just to try and keep his team in the game and the end result isn’t a true representation of an accurate comparison between the two stars.
These North-South games help to even the playing field a little more, giving a true battle of the best, as well as give them a chance to earn bragging rights. It is a true honor to be chosen for those games and recently several locals were given the opportunity. On the gridiron, former Lincoln quarterback A. J. Bart was selected and his coach Rob Hawkins was selected to coach. Hawkins was awarded the well-deserved privilege of coaching the girls’ basketball game.
Bart helped the North to a 34 to seven win. He had an impressive second drive that was capped off with a 10-yard touchdown pass to the game’s Most Valuable Player, Jack Byrer of University High. In the final tune up before heading to Buckhannon to play for Cougar alum Mike Kellar at West Virginia Wesleyan, Bart was near-perfect, four of five passing, for 58 yards and a touchdown. Bart showed that he is ready to suit up in Buckhannon.
A pair of Bridgeport linemen showed off in the 50th edition of this affair. Harrison Hall and Noah West made major contributions in the North victory. Hall caught a touchdown while West was the winner of the North team’s offensive lineman award.
In girls’ basketball action, Lincoln’s veteran mentor, Rob Hawkins, was joined by John Marshall’s Brock Melke to lead the North’s squad. In spite of the excellent coaching duo, the South pulled out an 80 to 78 win. It was the second time Hawkins had been chosen to coach in the event. The first was 20 years ago and it happened on the boys’ side.
It shows his ability to relate to both boys and girls, which is a true representation of a great coach. It also speaks to his knowledge of, and love for, the game. The good news for Lincoln fans is that they will be able to catch both of them this year. It’s not a long drive to Buckhannon to check out Bart while hawkins will be back where he belongs, making a difference with up and coming Cougars.
That will do it for now! Until next week . . . take care and God Bless!!!
