Sam Hill wanted a competitive girls soccer team at PikeView.
Little did he know he would win 91 games in six seasons, and take the Lady Panthers to three state tournaments in the past four years.
“We knew we would have kids who play well enough to be successful,” Hill said. “But our first year, the state tournament was just one class, and with teams like Princeton, Woodrow Wilson and Greenbrier East around, we didn’t expect to have a ton of postseason success.”
Fortunately, the tournament format went to two classes, and PikeView has become one of the predominant AA-A girls programs in southern West Virginia.
For his efforts, Hill is the 2012 West Virginia girls soccer high school coach of the year, named by both by the state soccer coaches association, and by the National Federation of High Schools.
“You don’t win those awards without quality teams and quality help,” he said.
He’s coached many all-state players, such as goalkeeper Tara Hazelwood, midfielders Mariah Farley and Samantha Wood and his daughter, Laura, who is the coaches association’s 2012 AA-A state forward of the year.
The PikeView boys team, which Hill has also coached for six years, has one state tournament appearance to its credit. He’s guided the careers of standout attackers Will Webster and Casey Weatherly, and superb defender Josh Hill (his son).
Surprisingly, the 1986 Athens High School graduate never played soccer.
“All I knew was a soccer ball was round and might serve as a basketball if you didn’t have one handy,” he said.
A graduate of both Concord and West Virginia universities, Hill has an MBA and is a senior trust officer at a Bluefield bank.
His assistant coach is his wife Angie, a one-time basketball and track standout at Athens.
“Angie has been the backbone of the team. She’s relentless in getting stuff done,” Hill said. “She works well with the administration, and makes sure all the paperwork is taken care of.
“She also works hard to get the kids recognition, such as putting up signs in school and getting a pep rally before the state tournaments.
“I get the easy part. I coach and get the pats on the back.”
Hill owns a 91-28-12 record on the girls side and is 64-49-9 with the boys.
The girls went to states in 2009, 2010 and 2012; the boys went in 2011.
The Lady Panthers were a surprising 16-5-2 this season after losing three players early to injuries, including all-stater Hope Nester.
They beat a very good Pocahontas County team 3-2 to advance to states, where they fell 2-1 to Fairmont Senior in the semifinals.
Laura Hill scored two goals in the win over Pocahontas County. She finished the season with 59 goals, and had 115 for her career.
“Last year Laura played with a club team out of Clarksburg. That’s six hours of driving, but she doesn’t complain,” Hill said. “Years ago she made a commitment to be the best player she can be and to play collegiately one day.”
She recently signed a letter-of-intent to play soccer at WVIAC state champion West Virginia Wesleyan.
“Laura has good technical ability and is a strong athlete,” Hill said. “She’s not the fastest player, but she has good speed. She anticipates the play and gets into the right position at the right time.”
Hill wants to follow his daughter’s games at Wesleyan, which will probably bring some changes.
“Laura’s games will be a priority. I might just coach the girls next year. That will take some of the burden off,” he said.
“I haven’t decided anything for sure, but I hope to be involved in some capacity with the program. I really do enjoy coaching.”
No matter who is in charge next season, the cupboard won’t be empty at PikeView.
“There’s a good group of girls at the eighth grade level, and there’s a local club, all of whom are good players,” Hill said. “In terms of depth, it will be a better team than this year. Hope Nester is speculating she might come back.
“The guys’ team will be very competitive on the state level.”
— E-mail: dstillwell@register-herald.com
Today's Sports Front
PikeView’s Hill honored as coach of the year, twice
- Today's Sports Front
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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. -
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. -
’Hounds hold off upset bid from Man Hillbillies
Valley’s potent offense never came to life, but the Greyhounds are still alive.
Valley (22-7) — with several players hitting .400 or better this season — could muster just three singles against underdog Man (6-20-1) in one of two Class A Region 3 baseball semifinals Tuesday, but the ’Hounds manufactured two runs in the crucial fifth inning to finally go ahead of the stubborn Hillbillies and escape with a 3-2 victory. -
WVU baseball team helps tornado victims
West Virginia University head baseball coach Randy Mazey was having lunch at an Oklahoma City restaurant Monday afternoon, keeping a close watch on the television set.
With every passing minute, the tornado that devastated the Oklahoma town of Moore, was moving closer and closer to his location and its path was being documented by a local television station. At one point, the coach even looked out the window to see if he could see the approaching funnel. -
Phillips 66 Big 12 Baseball Championship Format Changed
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Patriots, Warriors meet in anticipated matchup
The matchup many people expected will take place today.
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Fayette teams, Cavaliers vying for Class A spots
Two Fayette County baseball teams have advanced deeper into postseason play and will begin Region 3 tournament action today.
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Epling already having a busy week for Miners
At this point a year ago, Sam Lewis was the only player on the West Virginia Miners roster to have reported to Beckley. All he did was pitch two no-hitters, and the Miners won the 2012 Prospect League championship.
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Confident Mavs headed to states
From the outset, James Monroe’s mission was clear: Get to the state softball tournament.
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Eagles get 2nd shot at Tigers
The road to the Class AAA state championship for Princeton last year went through Beckley. A repeat would require the same stop, but Woodrow Wilson is looking to put up more resistance this time around.
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