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Ohio Valley’s prep teams pitching in to help W.Va. flood victims

WHEELING — The state of West Virginia is in a time of turmoil.

Flooding of historic proportions has devastated large areas of the state.

The death toll stands at 24 with nearly $600 million in damage. Countless homes, businesses and schools have been washed away.

Grief, fear and desperation are running rampant.

Tragedy often times energizes compassion and cooperation. Such again is the case as the flood victims are receiving assistance from all parts of the state.

– The Wheeling Park High football team is stepping up for the flood victims. Coach Chris Daugherty is big on community service and making a difference. It filters down through his entire program.

“Every one of our players has donated a case of water and we are getting some extra football equipment together for some of the teams that were hit really hard,” Daugherty said. “We are also thinking about taking some of our guys down there to help clean and restore the football stadiums. We have our kids do community service. So this really fits us.”

– The state-champion Morgantown High boys’ basketball team is also doing its part in trying to make life a little better for those ravaged by the freakish floods.

The Mohigans are coached by Dave Tallman, a Magnolia grad and New Martinsville native. Morgantown captured its first state boys’ basketball title this past year, doing so in unbeaten fashion.

Tallman, his staff and players rallied to the cause in impressive fashion. On Monday, the Mohigans filled three truckloads of supplies for the flood victims. Items ranging from drinking water, bleach, soap to just everyday necessities were collected.

“Every player brought something. It met with such a positive response that our cheerleaders also wanted to help out. They also donated items. We hooked up with the Red Cross and they help deliver everything,” Tallman said. “I talked to a lot of coaches throughout the flooded areas. Some lost their fields and others also lost equipment. I know they would so the same for us.

“It is a tragedy in our own backyard,” he added. “It is great to see our boys’ basketball team committed to making a difference for those affected in last week’s tragic flooding.”

– John Marshall is also doing its part. The Monarchs are holding a fundraiser Thursday at the high school beginning at 10 a.m.

A car wash is being staged along with a collection of supplies at the front entrance of the high school. Monarchs student-athletes will also be tagging that day at various Moundsville locations from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Meanwhile, the WVSSAC is also doing its part in relief efforts.

Bernie Dolan, WVSSAC executive director and a Wheeling Park graduate, said his organization is a clearinghouse with assistance endeavors.

“We are coordinating the relief efforts. There has been an outpouring of support from our member schools to provide help. We want the schools to contact us and we will connect them with the appropriate agencies,” Dolan said. “We also are asking the affected schools to let us know what their needs are. A lot of schools are doing impressive things. Some schools like South Charleston even went down and did actual work.

“Disasters like this seem to happen to the most challenged of areas. Coal layoffs have impacted the flooded region,” the former Ohio County Schools administrator added. “People rally around good causes. This could happen to any of us. It is important for our youths to understand that and the importance to lend help.”

BUBBA’S BITS

Former Franklin Monroe Superintendent Dave Gray has been named interim commissioner of the Ohio High School Athletic Association. Gray will fill in for OHSAA Commissioner Dr. Dan Ross, who is recovering from a series of health setbacks.

Gray’s name may be familiar to some Bridgeport basketball fans. Gray played for the Arcanum High basketball team that won the 1969 Class A state championship. Arcanum defeated Bridgeport in the state finals. The Bulldogs were coached by Frank Baxter and featured such standouts as Al Glitch, Lou Burke and Mark Thompson.

– Tom Hart is the ideal choice as Cameron’s new head boys’ basketball coach. Hart knows the game, has a personality well-suited for coaching and is synonymous with Cameron basketball.

– Congratulations to Greg Steele on being elevated to head Martins Ferry track coach. The former Bellaire athletic standout has been a loyal and integral Purple Riders track assistant for many years.

– It is an old wives tale that bad things happen in threes. It was reinforced by the recent deaths of three sports legends: Muhammad Ali, Gordie Howe and Pat Summitt.

Bubba Kapral can be reached via email at bkapral@timesleaderonline.com.

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