Sports

NEW PHILADELPHIA " Aggressive play at both ends of the floor paid off big-time for Barnesville High as the Shamrocks moved one win away from a berth in the regional by defeating West Muskingum, 54-42, in the Division III District semifinals at New Philadelphia High School on Tuesday. On offense, Barnesville's activeness resulted in a whopping 37 free throw attempts. On defense, it tenaciousness kept West M " a team that had scored 82 points in a sectional final upset of top-seeded St. Clairsville just three nights earlier " to a mere 42 points and 35 percent shooting accuracy. Throw in a solid 40-27 rebounding edge and it all adds up to win No. 13 for the Shamrocks, who will go after a coveted trip to the Athens Regional next week when taking on Garaway in the district championship game on Friday. Garaway pulled away from Martins Ferry in the second half of Tuesday's first game for a 51-35 victory. "We did a good job attacking the basket and finding the open man," Barnesville coach Chris Pack said of his team's offensive work. "Our vision of the court is getting better. "Holding a team that scored 80 in their last game to 42 speaks to our defense," continued Pack. "When we get to the spots we need to be in, we're a good defensive team." Barnesville (13-10) trailed 9-8 with under two minutes to play in the opening quarter before a bank shot by senior A.J. Bohandy; two free throws by sophomore Tyler Fitzpatrick and a Bohandy layup put the 'Rocks on top, 14-9, at the initial break. With all eight regulars seeing action throughout, Barnesville extended its lead to 30-21 by halftime, thanks in part to a 10-of-12 effort at the free throw line compared to a sub-par 8-of-18 showing by West M in the half. The Tornadoes (10-12) managed to trim just two points of the Shamrocks' lead in the third round, gaining a 10-8 edge to make it a 38-31 issue heading to the final chapter. A close-range goal by junior Bryson Stephen followed by a "triple" from sophomore Preston Dornon pushed the BHS lead to a dozen, 43-31, with 6:48 remaining and the closest West M got the rest of the way was nine. Barnesville went to the line 17 times in the fourth quarter and made just seven, but it was enough to keep the Tornadoes at arm's length. "We've got to improve on turnovers and foul shooting," Pack said of his team's 18 miscues and 21-of-37 effort at the charity stripe, "but we made them when we needed to tonight." Senior Dalton Smith topped the Shamrocks offensively with 15 points while Preston Dornon was right behind with 14 tallies and Stephen chipped in eight. Fitzpatrick pulled down 11 rebounds for the winners while Bohandy had eight, Smith grabbed seven and Stephen had six. Smith also dished out four assists and Preston Dornon had three steals. BHS was 16-of-37 from the field (43 percent). "We feel good about our rotation," he said. "We don't lose a beat through eight guys, and a lot of teams don't have that luxury." For West M, senior Austin Brock was the lone double-figure scorer with 14, with senior Chris Brown tallying seven while grabbing 10 rebounds and handing out three assists. The Tornadoes were 16-of-46 from the field and were charted with 17 miscues. In the opener, Garaway and Ferry played to a 9-9 first quarter standoff before the Pirates jumped on top 17-9 mid way through the second period only to have the Purple Riders rebound and get even at 17-all by halftime. Garaway took control in the third period with an 18-10 edge, including 10 points by Ryan Troyer, to move in front, 35-27. Junior Paul Honigford led Garaway (17-5) with 17 points while Ryan Troyer had 14. For Ferry, Marco Ricchetti tallied 15; Jordan Burress netted 10 and Michael Roach had eight. "We know when we bring our "A' game we can compete with anyone," Barnesville's Pack said when looking ahead to the district title game. "We have a lot of respect for Garaway, but I think we'll be a force to be reckoned with on Friday." NEXT" Barnesville and Garaway square off Friday at 7 p.m. for the D-III District championship and a spot in next week's regional tournament in...  Read Story.

COLUMBUS -- Barnesville High's Kurtis Jefferis may have fallen just short of the ultimate goal of a state championship, but he still came away a winner at Saturday's 73rd annual OHSAA State Wrestling Tournament at the Jerome Schottenstein Center on...  Read Story.

Barnesville's victory in the sectional final included contributions from: top left, 6'5" Bryson Stephen, (31) who had his hands full with Ridgewood's 6'6" Evan Jones. The General's bearded big man (only a sophomore) was a force...  Read Story.

UHRICHSVILLE -- Not since the 1997-98 season has Barnesville claimed a boys' sectional tournament title, but Coach Chris Pack hinted at the outset of this season that was one of the main goals of this year's team. ...  Read Story.

Burke, Doan, Skvarka and Perzanowski named All Conference ST. CLAIRSVILLE, Ohio-- Four players on the Ohio University Eastern Campus women's basketball team were named to All-Conference teams for the Ohio Regional Campus Conference (ORCC). In January,...  Read Story.

Pee-Wee wrestling dual March 16 The first Barnesville Pee-Wee Wrestling Dual, Barnesville versus Union Local, will be held March 16 at 6:30 p.m. in the Barnesville High School gymnasium. Public support of this inaugural event will be...  Read Story.

Winter sports awards March 11 On Thursday, March 11, winter sports awards will be presented to all boys' basketball, girls' basketball, cheerleading, swimming and wrestling participants. The program will be held in the high school auditorium beginning...  Read Story.

Shamrocks fall to Shadyside, 70-52 BARNESVILLE -- Unbeaten Shadyside High got all it wanted, and then some before finally holding off the Barnesville High Shamrocks for a 70-52 victory on Tuesday night. "It would have been nice to call it a game at...  Read Story.

Racing for Rox Fund Raiser It's time once again for the annual "Racing for Rox" fund raiser. This fun filled event helps support our Barnesville High School Baseball team purchase items such as uniforms, catchers equipment, baseballs and...  Read Story.

Baker competes in state swimming championships On Friday, Feb. 26, Barnesville High School freshman Christopher Baker became the first male, BHS swimmer to compete at the OHSAA Swimming Championships in Canton, Ohio. Baker joined two other Belmont...  Read Story.

Crooks, Jefferis advance to OHSAA state tournament Barnesville' s Kody Crooks and Kurtis Jefferis competing at the state level, having both earned spots in this week's OHSAA State Wresting Tournament thanks to efforts at the Division II District at...  Read Story.

Union Local hosting summer volleyball league A Union Local volleyball summer league will be held June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 from 5 - 10 p.m. Teams participating so far include: St. Johns, Union Local, Shenandoah, Cambridge , River and Bridgeport. For those...  Read Story.

Barnesville girls' youth softball league sign-ups Registration forms for Barnesville Girls Youth Softball League (2nd -8th grade) will be available in the elementary, independent elementary and middle school offices. An order form for parent/fan or...  Read Story.

UHRICHSVILLE -- Ready to "Rock". The Barnesville High Shamrocks opened their Division III Sectional Tournament game against Sandy Valley Thursday night with a 25-5...  Read Story.

NEW CONCORD -- Muskingum University head football coach Al Logan has announced the selection of captains for the 2010 season. Senior quarterback Jake Burns (Marion/Pleasant) and senior tight end Blake...  Read Story.

Dear swim family, (I thought long and hard about how to write this week's article for the paper, would it be short and sweet telling who, what, where and when or long and complex with...  Read Story.

Barnesville falls to Steubenville Catholic, 71-60 STEUBENVILLE -- Visiting Barnesville High dropped a 71-60 nod to Steubenville Catholic Central in the Ohio Valley Athletic Conference Class 2-A consolation game on Friday. Steubenville Catholic (10-7)...  Read Story.

Good start for 'Rocks ends in loss to Shadyside SHADYSIDE -- Shadyside preserved its unblemished record Thursday with a 57-42 win over the visiting Barnesville Shamrocks in a OVAC semifinal contest. The Shamrocks got off to a good start and led 14-11...  Read Story.

Lady Jets defeat Lady Pilots It took two extra frames, but the Union Local Lady Jets finally outlasted the River Lady Pilots for a 36-31 Division III sectional win at Cambridge High School Thursday. Jordan Ramsey popped a three-ball in the waning...  Read Story.

OUE Lady Panthers advance to state finals The OU Eastern Panthers advanced to the Ohio Regional Campus State Finals with a hard fought 58-50 victory over stubborn Ohio State Newark. The nip and tuck affair saw five lead changes in the first half until...  Read Story.