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Brooke Girls Cancel Season Due to COVID

Just when it felt like high school sports in West Virginia would make it through a limited winter season, COVID-19 turned its ugly head and is affecting teams in the Northern Panhandle.

Three teams currently are feeling the effects, with two uncertain about the future.

First, the Brooke girls basketball team had its season canceled Thursday due to a positive test. The Bruins were scheduled to host Madonna Thursday, and that was still good to go as of 9:41 a.m. on their Twitter feed.

However, roughly one hour later, head coach Amy Serevicz had to tell her players and coaches the bad news. They will not compete in their sectional contest Tuesday at Morgantown.

“When I reached out to the girls, naturally they were upset,” Serevicz said. “But, with what’s been going on, they knew it is what it is and there’s nothing they can do to change it.

“We’ve been lucky up to this point. We almost made it.”

The information came one week after Brooke’s softball team was quarantined. It is expected to return as soon as Monday to open its season.

The boys basketball team returned from a 10-day absence on March 31 and hosted Oak Glen. To say the entire school has been affected is an understatement.

“This whole season was different. It was shorter than normal, but ours was shorter than what we’re planning on,” Serevicz said.

What the Bruins regret the most is not being able to conclude their year on their own terms. They only won one game, but they wanted to go down swinging and not sitting at home.

Fortunately, they will have all but one return for, hopefully, a normal 2021-22 campaign. The lone senior graduating is Haylee Orban, who missed the last few games due to contract tracing but would have returned in time for sectional action.

“It would have been nice for her to finish the season on the court,” Serevicz said. “She’s a hard worker in everything she does in the game or at practice.

“She was our go-to for film sessions because she can break it down like nobody’s business. It breaks my heart we couldn’t finish the season for her.”

Outside of Wellsburg — and even Follansbee for that matter — the Oak Glen boys basketball squad announced Thursday that it canceled the remainder of its regular season due to a positive result.

“(COVID) has reared its ugly head towards everyone, and it’s a part of our lives again,” head coach Jerry Everly said. “There was a wave when Linsly and some other teams had it, then teams that played them had contact tracing. Then it started to fade, and were able to get some games in. Once it’s in your community, it just keeps spreading.”

Everly mentioned last week that this season has been the toughest to coach because of COVID and three of his seniors (Brayden Mineard, Jacob Clark and Gage Patterson) receiving long-term injuries. It obviously just got a little rougher, especially with spring sports tentatively beginning Monday.

The Golden Bears know they will be the fourth seed in the upcoming Class AAA Region 1 Section 1 tournament beginning on April 21 against, most likely, Wheeling Central. However, Everly worries that Oak Glen may not be ready to go by then. And, even if it is, he is concerned about affecting its opponent.

“How smart would it be for everyone, especially for teams that have a shot at the state championship? We don’t want to take them down with us,” he said. “As of right now, we’re going to play that game and try to get some practices in next week. We’re also working around baseball and track.

“I knew it would be (a difficult season). I had no idea it would be this difficult. Our jayvee team was quarantined until last week.”

The Golden Bears were supposed to host Weir High on Tuesday. That was postponed until next Thursday but is officially canceled, even though Oak Glen possibly can resume activities prior.

Oddly enough, the reason is because the Red Riders are in quarantine due to positive tracing.

They are scheduled resume activities on Monday, depending on morning test results. If all goes well, they tentatively travel to Brooke on Tuesday.

Most importantly, Weir High is scheduled to defend its city championship against Madonna on April 16. Head coach Anthony Santangelo’s main focus is sectionals, but he understands the importance of the rivalry.

“I don’t want to cancel the Madonna game, but who knows,” he said. “I don’t want to be the guy that asks, ‘How much does it matter?’ Right now, we just want to make April 21.”

Santangelo added that he does not believe positive tests had anything to do with protocols during games. Serevicz and Everly agreed with their respective contests in their gymnasiums.

“They did the best they could, and there’s only so much you can do,” Santangelo said. “It’s a lose-lose situation. We want fans, and it’s great to have them. But, at the same time, who may have it and isn’t telling anyone? You also can only control kids for so much. You just do what’s best for the team.”

Weir High will be the third seed in the tournament and will challenge the No. 2 seed (most likely North Marion).

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