The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

High School Sports

January 25, 2013

Don’t sleep on Independence

By Gary Fauber Assistant Sports Editor

BECKLEY — At a glance, it was easy to declare Independence the preseason favorite in Class AA/A. The Patriots were the state runners-up last season and have several placewinners back from that team.

And, sure, several teams would be moving down from Class AAA, but the three-time reigning state champion, Point Pleasant, was ascending to the state’s highest classification.

Things haven’t seemed to work out for the Patriots to this point. There have been several outstanding individual performances, but the team itself has fallen a bit short of expectations. Indy slipped from fourth to seventh in this week’s state coaches rankings as released at wvmat.com.

“You know me. I’m not awfully thrilled with (the season),” coach Cliff Warden said.

“But we haven’t put all the pieces together yet.”

Bingo.

The Patriots, who will compete in the Bob Zide Rumble today in Williamstown, have been slowed by injuries to several key wrestlers. Senior Chris Clark, who was third in the state at 126 pounds last season, has barely wrestled. Sophomore Richie Miller, who was looking to follow a strong freshman season, hasn’t seen the mat since the opening weekend.

Another sophomore, Dustin Justice, won the 145-pound championship at Berkeley Springs Dec. 8 but also has battled injury.

It’s a problem that Warden has faced all season, but it seemed to really hit him at the WSAZ Invitational last weekend.

“I kept thinking, with (Teddy) Stover not having a good tournament, and with Clark and all his points up in the bleachers, and with Justice not in there … if we peak at the right time, we’ll be all right.”

Stover, a sophomore who is the state’s top-ranked 103-pounder, was unable to place at WSAZ. But that would appear to be an off-weekend for Stover, who placed third at the state tournament last February.

“If he’s on,” Warden said, “he can fulfill where he’s ranked.”

The constant for Indy has been junior Colton Ward (34-6), No. 1 in the state at 132 pounds. Ward has won championships at Braxton County and WSAZ in consecutive weekends.

“Strength and explosion,” Warden said of Ward’s strong points. “When he pulls the trigger on a double-leg, there are not many kids who can stop him.

“Those two (Stover and Ward) are our horses.”

The good news for Warden is that he hopes to have Clark (138) and Justice (145) back for the Williamstown tournament.

“If we get them both back, it will help solidify our lineup,” Warden said.

— E-mail: gfauber@register-herald.com

Text Only
High School Sports
  • 052413 Woodrow.jpg Woodrow Wilson headed to states

    Hunter Greco will walk into the halls of Woodrow Wilson High School this morning for the final time. He’ll walk past his locker and the classroom of his favorite teacher.

    May 24, 2013 1 Photo

  • 052413 Indy.jpg Rain halts AA final in 5th

    It took nearly a week for PikeView and Independence to finally claim their sectional championships, largely because of persistent rain.

    May 24, 2013 1 Photo

  • 052413 James Monroe.jpg Mavericks fall in AA title game

    The James Monroe High School softball team scratched its way up to the championship game of Class AA softball this week.

    May 24, 2013 1 Photo

  • Months of waiting ends: Weeks signs with Marshall

    Adam Weeks probably could have helped usher in a historic first season for the Mountain East Conference at any member school he wanted. Instead, he waited — and waited — for the offer he really wanted.

    May 24, 2013

  • State softball, regional baseball schedules

    May 23, 2013

  • 052313 james monroe A dream start, nightmare end

    Lightning on the horizon brought Wednesday's final game of the state softball tournament to an end.
    The James Monroe Lady Mavericks had felt a shock long before that.

    May 22, 2013 1 Photo

  • 052313 woodrow One step away from Charleston

    A trip to Charleston — with a lot more on the agenda than a tour of the capitol building and a shopping spree at Charleston Town Center — will be up for grabs tonight for three area teams that are one win away from punching their ticket to the WVSSAC State Baseball Tournament at Appalachian Power Park.

    May 22, 2013 1 Photo

  • 052313 Tanner Tanner is Summers County coach

    After weeks of controversy, it appears Summers County High School officially has a new football coach.

    May 22, 2013 1 Photo

  • 052213 woodrow Woodrow downs defending AAA champs

    It’s a play that Woodrow Wilson has practiced everyday this season and has rarely had to utilize.
    It’s a good thing the Flying Eagles did practice it; it saved their season and led to a 2-1 victory over defending state champion Princeton.

    May 21, 2013 1 Photo

  • 052213 indy No repeat for Warriors

    Independence has been on a tear offensively the entire month of May. It didn’t stop Tuesday, even against Wyoming East ace Derek Thornton.
    The Patriots led 5-0 after two innings, and Brian Sexton — backed by that very offense and some sparkling defense — gutted out a complete game in a 7-5 win in the Class AA Region 3 semifinals Tuesday night.

    May 21, 2013 1 Photo