Hoops Across the Mountain State

We heard from three girl's basketball coaches last week. However, let's flip the script, what do a few boy's basketball coaches think about various topics surrounding the sport they love?

Hunter Moles, the Charleston Catholic boy's head basketball coach, Michael Jebbia, the Wheeling Park boy's head basketball coach, and Ronnie Olson, the Shady Spring boy's head basketball coach, join Taylor Kennedy, @Taylor_Kennedy7 on Twitter.

They discussed building a program, loyalty, the new transfer rule, the four class system, and much more!

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There has been a lot of news revolving around high school athletics in West Virginia, especially in girl's and boy's basketball. The constant news regards what is going on in the high school transfer portal and the four-class system.

What are coaches thinking and saying about those topics, among many others? What changes need to occur?

Jamie LaMaster, long-time George Washington girl's head basketball coach, John Kennedy, the Ripley Vikings girl's head basketball coach, and Pat Jones, the Nitro Wildcats girl's head basketball coach, join Taylor Kennedy, @Taylor_Kennedy7 on Twitter, for the inaugural girl's basketball roundtable.

Among the other topics that were discussed, one that remains a consistent thought with Taylor is, "Is girl's basketball in West Virginia having a moment?"

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Follow Taylor on Twitter - @Taylor_Kennedy7

We kick off our summer interview series with an interview with the executive director of the WVSSAC, Bernie Dolan.

Bernie has been the executive director of the WVSSAC since 2016. He joined us last year to discuss ongoing topics in high school athletics. Well, there is more to discuss this year.

Bernie joins Taylor Kennedy, @Taylor_Kennedy7 on Twitter, to discuss many topics, including the high school transfer portal, reclassification, the state tournament, and more!

Follow Taylor on Twitter @Taylor_Kennedy7

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Who do you want to hear from this summer?

The 2022-23 West Virginia High School Basketball season is officially over. Eight champions were crowned over two weekends at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center.

Taylor Kennedy, @Taylor_Kennedy7 on Twitter, was joined by four student-athletes representing their respective class.

Taylor was joined by Brody Davis, a Morgantown shooting guard, Emma Freels, a junior guard at North Marion, Sal Dean, a senior guard for Chapmanville, and Ashlynn Van Tassel, a forward for Cameron.

Much was discussed, including what made each state's title runs special, what each title meant for their respective communities, and more.

The summer interview series is right around the corner! Who would you want to hear from this summer?

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Follow Taylor Kennedy on Twitter: @Taylor_Kennedy7

Here we are... the final week of the 2022-23 high school basketball season in West Virginia. There are 32 teams remaining, but there can only be four crowned champions.

Taylor Kennedy, the host & @Taylor_Kennedy7 on Twitter, gets you geared up for this week's boy's high school basketball tournament at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center.

Taylor is joined by Josh Daniel, the South Charleston Black Eagles boy's head coach, Ronnie Olson, the Shady Spring Tigers boy's head coach, Mick Price, the Ravenswood Red Devils boy's head coach, and Billy Zuspan, the Wahama White Falcons boy's head coach.

Below are the time stamps for each of the following coaches:

0:00-19:27 - Josh Daniel (South Charleston)

19:29-42:44 - Ronnie Olson (Shady Spring)

42:46-1:04:40 - Mick Price (Ravenswood)

1:04:42-1:24:21 - Billy Zuspan (Wahama)

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Follow Taylor on Twitter: @Taylor_Kennedy7

We are on day four of the girl's state high school basketball tournament in Charleston. However, the boys' regional play concluded last night, and we have our schedule and seeding for each of the four classes.

A few teams are back in the state tournament for the first time in A LONG TIME.

Amrit Rayfield, the Elkins Tigers boy's head basketball coach, and Ty Holmes, the Huntington Highlanders boy's head basketball coach, join the program.

Coach Rayfield and the Tigers are back in state tournament for the first time since 2000. What is different about this year's team? What does making the state tournament mean for Elkins? How did the Tigers' difficult schedule prepare them for the postseason?

Coach Holmes discusses his team's success by entering the state tournament as the No. 5 seed in Class AAAA. Who has stepped up for him? How important was the second half of the season for Huntington?

Follow Taylor Kennedy, the host, on Twitter - @Taylor_Kennedy7

It is crazy to think we are at the state tournament portion of the girls' high school basketball season. 32 teams remaining across all four classes, and this week should provide for stellar competition and individual plus team performances.

Taylor Kennedy, @Taylor_Kennedy7 on Twitter, prepares you for an action-packed week.

Four girls' coaches join Taylor on today's episode.

In the first segment, the Spring Valley head coach Larry Bo Miller stops by to chat about his team. What does it mean for this year's Timberwolves team to make the state tournament? What is different about SV since the first game?

In the second segment, the veteran North Marion girl's head coach, Mike Parrish, joins Taylor. He discusses his team's success lately, as the Huskies have made the state tournament in 14 of the last 16 seasons. He also previews North Marions' first-round matchup against Hampshire.


Roberta Olejasz, the Wheeling Central girl's head coach, joins the third segment to discuss her squad's 4 vs 5 matchup against Charleston Catholic. How will the Maroon Knights slow down the Irish? What has impressed Coach Olejasz throughout this season?

Dave Helmick, the Tucker County Mountain Lions head coach, rounds out the podcast by discussing Tucker County's success as the Mountain Lions have made the state tournament for the 19th consecutive season. How much of a difference has Kadie Colebank made to this year's team, and where is she different this season?

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Follow Taylor on Twitter: @Taylor_Kennedy7

It is crazy to think that the girls' sectional play and the boys' regular season are almost over! However, that only means the state tournaments are right around the corner!

Mel Stephens, Veteran Boy's Head Basketball Coach at Wheeling Central, stops by to discuss his team's youth and how they have dealt with different battle scars this season. He also gives his opinion on SB 262, the one-time transfer bill. Also, how has he seen West Virginia high school basketball evolve into what it is today?

Chad Meador, the Summer County Girl's Head Basketball coach, joins the program to discuss his team's success this season. The Lady Bobcats will compete in their sectional final this evening. Who has stepped up for Summers County to get the team to where it is today? How has basketball changed over the year's down in the southern coalfields?

Follow Taylor on Twitter: @Taylor_Kennedy7

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Don't look now, but we are a few weeks away from the beginning of postseason play.

Teams are beginning to make a late push for the state tournament field across all four classes.

Richard Lewis, the Jefferson Cougars boy's head basketball coach, and Jamie LaMaster, the George Washington Lady Patriots girl's head basketball coach, stop by on today's episode.

How are both teams following key mid-season losses? How have certain players taken the reins and run? What needs to happen to make that late-season push?

Coach LaMaster also gives his thoughts regarding Senate Bill 262, the one-time transfer rule for high school student-athletes.

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Follow Taylor on Twitter: @Taylor_Kennedy7

We are starting to see separation in the four classes, including Class AA in boys' and girls' basketball.

Kim Davis-Smith, Mingo Central girl's head basketball coach, and Hunter Moles, Charleston Catholic boy's head basketball coach, stop by for today's episode.

Many common topics were discussed, including what has propelled each team to success. How has Charleston Catholic rebounded following a 3-3 start? What is different about Mingo Central this year? What has to happen for both squads moving forward?

Follow Taylor Kennedy on Twitter at @Taylor_Kennedy7.

Subscribe to the podcast wherever you get yours, including YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify.