BEALLSVILLE – Beallsville High School has been a school steeped in tradition for most of its existence, with the Blue Devil basketball programs commonly putting together impressive records and collecting various team and individual awards despite the small size of the school. This winter, Beallsville will do something relatively unseen in the basketball landscape of the Ohio Valley: field a co-ed team. Hamstrung with low numbers, there will be a scant 10 players suiting up for the Big Blue on the hardwood; seven boys and three girls. Under Ohio High School Athletic Association rules, a co-ed team is well within regulations. The team will play a full schedule against boys teams. It is something that has been seen many times on the soccer pitch locally, however, when it comes to basketball it is a new concept.

First-year head coach Anthony Burga was complimentary of his roster. Marky Louden is a junior who will play guard “Marky is our all-around-hustler-does-everything-you-need type of guy. He can be someone who can handle the ball if we need him to, he’s someone who can go down low and scrap, and definitely puts in the most work of everyone I’ve got.”

The next junior on the roster is forward Thorn Stoffel “Thorn is our hustler, and just always is being involved. He is active on the defensive end and gets his hands in the line and gets some deflections and things like that. He’s our high-energy guy.”

Another junior is forward Garrett Perkins. “Garrett is going to be our big man that can hopefully be somewhat of a center for us, but has a great shot and can knock down 10-15 free throws in a row.

“He’s also the quarterback for the football team, so he’s just that natural athlete that can pick up anything and be good at it.”

Kinley Hughes is a junior who will play guard “Kinley is a knock-down shooter. She is tough as nails and will go up against anybody and guard them without any kind of fear whatsoever.”

The final junior is guard Chloe McCulley “Chloe is a hustler and works hard as well. Even though she Is a little undersized, she doesn’t let it hold her back or anything, she’s willing to stick her head in there at any time as well.”

For the sophomores, Chancellor Allen is chalked in to play guard. “He has all the athletic ability and potential that you would ever want in a player. With him, getting him to turn it on at all times is what we are looking to do, He can find his shot at any time he needs, but he can also get a shot for his teammates and play great defense as well.

Classmate Lamar Anderson will fill a forward position. “Lamar is our banger down low,” Burga surmised.

“He really takes charge and can get us some looks inside, as well as guarding and shutting down the big man for the opposing team.

Logan Taylor is a sophomore who will be another forward.

Rounding out the 10th-grade class is guard Kaylee Hagan.

Frosh Kolten Trigg is slated to see time at guard.