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The Press Box

By Ed Parsons - Editor | Jul 24, 2024

I read this week where one of Hundred’s greats passed from this life to the next. I will never forget meeting Myron Seese for the first time. It was in 1968 and he was playing basketball for the Hornet’s. We (Paden City) traveled out Rt 7 for a Friday night game against them at the Hornet’s Nest. I was a guard on Paden City’s team and soon found myself paired up against this 5′ 7” guy that I figured would be a piece of cake. At 5′ 10″ I had a few inches on him and was looking for a big night. I soon found out size didn’t matter to this guy as he had speed, toughness and basketball knowledge. The first time down the floor he swiped the ball from us and went in to score an easy bucket. Following that he hit a trio of jumpers that put the home team up 14-6. We didn’t have 3-pointers back then or they would have been up even more. Coach Burton called a time out and really let us have it. “You guys better start playing some defense. That guy is killing us, he’s making you and me both look bad, now get out there and play like you know how. We’re not playing “Horse “, this is a game.”

I can’t remember who all was on that team, except they had an outstanding freshman named Jerry Bissett. After trailing at halftime by 11 points we got it together in the second half to squeak out a victory, but Myron ended the night with 17 points and four steals. He was also pretty tough on this old Wildcat as he held me to a season low of 11. One of my teammates was pretty upset with him. Myron caught the eye of one of our cheerleaders who was my friend’s girlfriend. On the way home the cheerleaders were all talking about how good looking he was. What a great person he was, a great husband, father, and grandfather. It wouldn’t surprise me if he’s not up there shooting baskets right now with Jerry. A couple years ago I saw him at a ballgame and we chatted a little. I reminded him of that night long ago and he just grinned and laughed. My understanding is he was also a great coach and mentor to many of Hundred’s basketball players over the years. Just a little over a year ago he called me down at the Wetzel Chronicle office and we talked for several minutes about local schools and sports and how things have changed. Myron was a true gentleman and a great Christian man. I will miss looking for him everytime I travel out to Hornet country. He was the perfect example of a short man who stood tall. My condolences to his entire family and the community of Hundred on their loss.

It’s easy to tell when going back to school and football season starts. The key indicator is the OVAC Rudy Mumley All-Star Football Game. The contest pits some of Ohio and West Virginia’s best players from last year’s squads, who are members of the conference, against each other in late July on Wheeling Island’s Turf. This year’s event marked the 78th year of the annual tradition with the teams putting on a nice display of football, ending in a 13-13 tie.

Six of our local guys got the opportunity to display their talents one last time at this level while putting on quite a show for their schools and fans. The week leading up to the event was a big one for everyone involved as they gathered at Wheeling Jesuit University for a week full of training, practice, fun and camaraderie.

It’s something every high school football player in the valley gets excited about. When chosen to participate in the All-Star game it shows the kind of respect you have earned during your time on the playing field. Fifty years later you could be back on the field looking back on that one Saturday night when you had the skill and athleticism to perform for your school and state.

I attended the event on Saturday and as usual it didn’t disappoint. I had the chance to watch some of our local kids take to the field one last time and represent their high school as All-Stars.

Speaking of All-Stars River’s Kabel Isaly showed why he was chosen All-Ohio, he played on both sides of the ball most of the night. Accounted for both of Ohio’s scores going 11-16 for 133 yards and carrying the ball for another 33 yards. All six of our players, Joey Baker of Paden City, Ayden Britton of Hundred, Hunter Goddard of Magnolia, Jaydin Lynch of Magnolia, and Kabel Isaly and Kadn Johnson of River, received quality playing time and contributed to their teams success. It was a great night on the island and one these players will remember for years to come. Congratulations to each one on a fine performance.

Talking with the OVAC Executive Director Dirk DeCoy, he was impressed with the crowd and the way things are going in the conference. The OVAC is the largest athletic conference in the country and still growing.