I want to thank our friend R.J. Goode for covering several of Magnolia’s Basketball games this past week. He enjoys it and did a really nice job, his writing was very good. R.J loves New Martinsville sports and puts all he has into it. He’s a special kind of guy! During our discussion I told him I was on an early deadline for sports stories because of the Christmas holiday and lack of help, he said he would get the stories to me by Friday night. He was right on time!

That was perfect because the paper was going to print on Monday, and it gave me plenty of time to read them over and get them published. So if you noticed the Wetzel Chronicle Sports page you will see R. J. did an excellent job with his coverage. Hopefully we will be able to use him a lot more, he works from home and emails it to me. Makes it easy and doesn’t rush me.

I took in 11 games by myself this past week and I’m looking for another writer to help out. I would like to have someone who can cover sports as well as news. If anyone is interested get a hold of me. I would like to find someone who’s willing to work maybe 24 hours a week. Would make a good job for someone who’s needs some extra money.

I am thankful for the coaches who send me stats regularly and keep me informed about their teams and progress.Those are the ones who really have their kids at heart. I haven’t been able to get to as many sporting events as I’d like this year due to some health problems, but I expect to be back soon covering as much as I can.

I think it will be a good matchup between Magnolia and Tyler Consolidated whenthe two teams meet on the December 30th, in New Martinsville. If all is well I will be at that game.

Paden City and Hundred boys and girls played on Friday out at Hundred with the Wildcats girls winning over the Hornets for the second time this season and the Hornet boys picking up their first win against two losses while leaving the Wildcats winless on the season at 03. Both teams played tough ball and it was an entertaining evening..

Our friend here at the Chronicle who does an excellent job for us (Chuck Clegg) worked his tail off covering the New Martinsville Christmas parade. He took a lot of pictures, but we were only able to get a few in the paper. Chuck is a great writer who comes up with some very interesting articles a few times a month. We are happy to have his help.

I’m really happy for all the awards our area athletes are receiving this year. Mark Rucker of Tyler Consolidated has been named first team all-state football, LKC Football player of the year, earned the C&C running back player of the year and is the top football player in our area.

Four of our Volleyball girls were named to the All-Valley team. Kyndra Pilant of Magnolia, Hope Weber and Mallory Yeater from Paden City and Regan Smith of Tyler Consolidated. A big congratulation to them all. Weber, Yeater and Pilant also made first team All-State.

At one basketball game last week I noticed several great players from the past in the gym. On that one particular night I saw the Pine Grove legend Lou Mott in the house along with Sistersville’s long range bomber, coach Richard Summers. Of course Magnolia coach Dave Tallman who played on Paden City’s 1973 state championship team and Mick Price the Ravenswood mayor were running their teams from the sidelines. Magnolia’s John Boswell (Preston’s dad) a great scorer himself was in the house and the Blue Eagles Mark Winters was helping Tallman from the bench. Bob Berry one of Paden City’s great shooters was in the stands as well. Neil Marshall from Magnolia’s 1964 state championship team had his regular spot at the announcers table.There were many more, but the point is it’s hard to get away from the game once who grow to love it.

I have a surgery coming up on January 3rd, but if all goes well I hope to be in the gym more often that not. Really no where else I’d rather be. I am really looking forward to the Knights basketball tournament and the New Martinsville Rotary Challenge. They both promise to be great events.

One last thing, if you haven’t been to a West Liberty basketball game this season you should try an make one. They are an exciting team to watch and Magnolia great Preston Boswell is just starting to heat up. He averages in double figures in scoring and is the team leader in assists. Keep your eye on him he always has something up his sleave. In a recent game he was taking the ball out under the Hilltoppers basket when he caught a defensive player with his back turned. Boswell immediately tossed it off the defenders back (that’s an old trick Paden City coach Bob Burton used to pull) jumped in bounds got the ball and made a layup. Very nice heads up play on his part and an embarrassing moment for the defense.

The Silver Knights Gage Huffman an all-around good athlete has become a pretty good basketball player despite baseball and football being his top two sports. However everything he does he gives his all, which sets a good example for the younger teammates. Gage has hit in double figures in all three of his outings so far and in the matchup with St. Marys he fired in five 3-pointers. Paden City’s Walter Joy also hit five three’s on Friday night as he made 5-8 from long range.

Once again it’s hard to get around to every game so shoot me an email with your game results to editor@wetzelchronicle.com or eparsons@tylerstarnews.com Have a very Merry Christmas.

I would especially like to see some of Paden City’s wrestling results so we could get them some coverage. If anyone has any pictures or stats they would like to share feel free to send them up. Of course I don’t want to hurt anyones feeling by using their pictures even if it is for the kids. So if you want to share let me know. W e will be providing coverage for wrestling at the OVAC tournament and will have lots of pictures from that event. Same with the Silver Knights, pictures and results are appreciated and helps your kids get necessary coverage.

Wishing the best for all the area athletes from grade school up. Listen to your coaches and give it your all, it’s a great thing to be involved.