The Bottom Line
By Bill Nestor
Sports Editor
Typically when an individual has been chosen for something they have accomplished great things. Those that have been chosen have earned the respect and gained the attention of others.
Our county softball, baseball, and basketball players along with a pair of football coaches have recently been chosen for some of their past accomplishments and I want to take the opportunity to mention them this week.
As you all know, the Bridgeport baseball team earned the Class AA baseball championship last weekend. It marked a second consecutive title for the Tribe. It took a total team effort to get the job done but there were several key individuals that contributed to the cause. This past week ten of them were recognized for their efforts.
The West Virginia Sportswriter’s Association unveiled the members of All-State squads and several local players mad the list. The Indians had the most of any team in Class AA. Bridgeport placed three players on the first team that was headed by Joe LaRocca. LaRocca was named the captain in his final year of high school baseball. Hunter Fain and Hunter Haddix were also members of the first team.
Dante Bonamico and Jared Cleghorn represented the Tribe on the second team. Elijah Drummond, Joe Dodrill, and Houston Morris were the Indians selected for special honorable mention. Logan Smith and Sammy Aloi were honorable mention selection for Bridgeport.
There were several other players from the county that earned honors. Lincoln had a pair of second team selections in A.K. Snyder and Brandon Fazalare. Other Cougars Frank Spadaphore, (special honorable mention), Kobie Carpenter, and Chase Riley (honorable mention) were also picked.
Liberty was represented by Bo Drummond and Ty Wickline (special honorable mention), along with Broderick Lantz (honorable mention).
Robert C. Byrd’s Alex Banko was a special honorable mention selection while Joe Loretta and Tre Junkins were honorable mention picks.
In Class A, South Harrison’s Ian Riggleman (first team), Braeden Hurst (second team), Jacob Montgomery (special honorable mention), Dakota Jarrett, and Jessy Miller (honorable mention) were all selected.
Notre Dame was represented by Josh Baker (first team), Jordan Miller (second team), Chad Morrison and Spencer Harlow (special honorable mention) and Alex Murray (honorable mention).
Class AA softball selections were as follows: Bridgeport’s Alison Winans (first team), Shae Tomasik (second team), Hannah Clark and Molly Lane (special honorable mention) and Danielle Dennison and Joplin Kehrer (honorable mention).
Liberty’s Mariah Wilson and Kaylee Ritter (second team), Lexi Carder (special honorable mention), and Abigail Rock (honorable mention).
Lincoln’s Hope Bray (second team), Megan Earnest and Josie Payton (honorable mention).
Robert C. Byrd’s Kelsey Lantz (first team) was the lone Flying Eagle selection.
In Class A, South Harrison’s Tori Stout (first team), Sydney Lipscomb (second team), and Hanna Burnside and Molly Wheeler (honorable mention).
Notre Dame’s Ashley Mordan (first team), Katie Shaffer (special honorable mention), and Marion Emerson (honorable mention).
Several local players will have one last chance to showcase their skills in the North-South basketball and football games this weekend.
Robert C. Byrd’s Justin Noble will be working overtime as he will participate in both the football and basketball contests. On the gridiron, Noble will be joined by former Flying Eagle teammate, Alex Banko. Bridgeport will send Zach Bombardiere and Mitchell Winkie to participate in the event.
On the hardwood, Lincoln’s Brandon Fazalare, Bridgeport’s John Wilfong, and Robert C. Byrd’s Devonti Birch will suit up while Flying Eagle Head Coach Bill Bennett will be a co-head coach.
Speaking of coaches, former Bridgeport football coach, Wayne Jamison will be inducted into the WV Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame next Saturday. Jamison spent 27 years as the Indian head coach where he won four state titles.
At Robert C. Byrd, Bryan Fisher has been chosen as the new head coach. Fisher has several years as an assistant on the staff and will replace Bruce Carey.
This past week we had a chance to celebrate the chosen ones that have received rightful accolades statewide. Our county has indeed been well represented by players and coaches alike.
That will do it for now. Until next time…take care and God bless!
