2-25-11

Lady Panthers play in sectional tournment tonite
The Lady Panthers take on Sissonville tonite at Herbert Hoover High School, come out and support these girls!!!

2-9-11

CCHS Girls Dominate Courts This Week

   Not only is wrestling a dominate force to watch in Clay County, but there is another team that also has a chance at greatness – the Lady Panthers basketball team. Ranked last week at #8, they travelled to Poca to play the always tough Dots. It was one of the greatest comebacks in the history of basketball in Clay County. At the end of the first half, the girls were down 18 points, and it didn’t look like the Dots were going to let up. However, the Lady Panthers did come back and took the lead in the fourth period with some excellent shooting. The defense was a thing of beauty to watch; the Poca Dots were so shook up that they barely managed to get the ball past center court. With seconds left, the Dots threw up a Hail Mary shot and it went in, tying the ball game. With four minutes added to the score board, the Lady Panthers walked away with it and won 73-64. A great ballgame!  ***Read the rest of the story and see more pictures in this weeks edition of the Free Press***

1-19-11

Rebekah Nicholas gets her first bear  

Pic 1:  Larry Copen and Rebekah Nicholas.  Photo by Loretta Hartley.

   On December 11, 2010, 11 year Rebekah Nicholas, accompanied by good friend
Larry Copen and grandfather Gene Arnold, shot and killed a bear at Big Knob 
Hunting Club in Clay.  She gives very special thanks to Larry Copen and his bear 
dogs, Mitchell DeBoard for starting the club and Billy Propps for getting her started in
bear hunting.  Rebekah now has a bear to add to her 4 deer.  She says "Next is 
bow hunting!"

 
Weekend Basketball Highlights
 
Lady Panthers Win With Last Second Shot
   Brittany Gould’s shot with 2 seconds gave the Lady Panthers a 58-57 win over
Wirt County in Friday nights game in Wirt County.
 
CCHS Boys lose to Wirt County
   Matt Goode scored 15 points in the Panthers loss to Wirt County 53-41 at 
home.  Dylan Wager scored 20 points to lead Wirt County.  Also in boys action 
Poca wins over Clay 86-29.
 
 
Panther Wrestling Has Become A Juggernaut

Justin Triplett, a champion at 103 lbs.

Danny Suite, a champion at 119 lbs.

Dustin Daniels finishes 2nd
 
   Yes, the Clay High School wrestling team has regained its glory from the past this weekend becoming champions once again at the Braxton Invitational

wrestling tournament. With twenty teams represented throughout the state, the Panthers were a literal tidal wave wiping out any competition. Placing first

and doing a major break dance on the mat was Justin Triplett, who twisted, prodded, and otherwise turned the opponent’s body into the abnormal on his way to first place. He also defeated three of the state ranked 103lb challengers. Danny Suite also placed first; his velocity was way too much for the number one state contender who simply couldn’t out think or keep up with him.

Danny pulled out the big guns and blew the competitor’s ego out of the water. It should be said that both Justin and Danny are 24-0; not bad boys, not bad.

Coming in second was Dustin Daniels, who wrestled like he was one of the last Roman gladiators; unfortunately, so was the other guy. They both stacked up

pretty evenly in size and strength. It was just a matter of who was lucky enough to get the points needed to win. Other wrestlers who mashed the podium

were Jessie Ramsey 3rd place, Alex Suite 4th place, Ricky Ahart 4th place, Anthony Holton 4th place, Mitchell Schoolcraft 5th place, Stephen Miller 5th

place, Jacob Miller 5th place, and Zach Braley 6th place.

   It was a great tournament for the Clay Panthers who have once again established the Panthers as a dominate force. One match that needs to be mentioned was the pivotal and controversial match between heavy weight Jacob Miller and the heavy weight of Wirt. There are times when a single call from an official could cause mountains to fall. That was indeed the case in this match. The whole world seemed to be watching as the two forces met in the middle of the mat, ready to reek whatever damage they could. Both individuals were passionate about winning; it was sort of like a Bears and Packers game on a snowy afternoon in the mud and the blood. They were tied at the end of regular time and completely exhausted; it was anybody’s match. The crowd was on their feet as they pounded the mats trying to score. The sound was deafening. The third overtime came with 30seconds to score. Jacob and his opponent assumed the referee’s position and began wrestling. Around and around they went, with Miller in control. He was given a point because of Wirt’s wrestler stalling, which gave him the lead. With seconds left, out of nowhere the ref threw up two fingers giving 2 points to Wirt’s wrestler for no apparent reason. I guess he couldn’t handle the sound of the crowd and the idea that it may go into overtime again. It was a call that was a complete injustice to both wrestlers, taking what they both worked so hard for and leaving victory in the hands of the ref who didn’t even crack a sweat. This call kept Jacob out of the finals, but we, the fans, know he won. I realize that everyone blames the ref, but in this case, it is justified.

   What ultimately matters is that the Panthers won the tournament, defeating twenty other teams. They will be wrestling in Calhoun County this coming

weekend. Go support them; you will be glad you did! On a final note, Clay Middle School wrestlers will be competing at the annual WSAZ tournament in

Huntington on Friday, January 21 and Saturday, January 22. Zach Ahart will be seated 4th, Wyatt Dawson will be seated 3rd, and Brandon White and Cody Lockhart will be seated 4th. Each has the chance to bring home the gold. If you get the chance, head off to Huntington and show your support for these

young men.

1-5-11

 Brent DeBoard, age 14, from Indore kills a bear on Big Knob Hunting Club while hunting with his dad, Mitchel DeBoard.

12-15-10

Basketball Season Starts!!!

Lady Panthers Feast On Lady Eagles......

Brittany Gould clears a path through the Eagles.  Lady Panthers win 72-63.

12-1-10

Deer Pictures

   Ronald Given of Burbank, Ohio is showing off his 14 point buck he got bow hunting before coming to West Virginia to hunt.  It is entered in a Big Buck Contest in Ohio.  Ron and his grandsons, Trevor and Troy, hunted on the Given farm where Trevor got a buck.  They spent Thanksgiving with brother, Frank, and sister, Elaine Lennox, and family.

Cooper Osborne Killed this 9 point, November 24 while hunting in Indore.

   Carolyn Drake of Ivydale killed this 11-pt buck on the first day of Buck Season.  The buck was taken down at around noon.  This is her first buck.

Grandson, Tyler Gould and the 10 point he bagged on Grandpa's birthday.  The buck was taken on the Nichols Family farm.  The picture was taken in the late evening with little lighting.

Darlene Drake with the 8 point killed by Ford Drake on November 23rd.

Ford Drake with the 8 point deer killed on November 23rd around Big Otter.

Robert Adkins and Joseph Young killed 9 point, 1st day of deer season Joseph said "I am the man,beat that!

11-17-10

Vollyball season comes to a close with the Lady Mustangs and the Lady Panthers near the top.

   The past week saw an excellent volleyball season come to an end for the Lady Mustangs of Clay County Middle School and the Lady Panthers at Clay County High School.  Under the excellent leadership of coaches Gail Simons of the Lady Mustangs and Samantha Holcomb of the Lady Panthers, both led their teams to champion level seasons.  I went to both the middle school and high school games and one could not have found teams that were more motivated than these.  Sure, they had their ups and downs, but what team doesn't?  ***Read the rest of the story and see pictures in this weeks edition of the Free Press***

11-10-10 

Grayson Hamrick Breaks School Record

   Grayson Hamrick came into Friday’s football game against Van with a purpose.  He needed less than 130 yards to break the all time single season rushing record held by Joe Myers; a record that stood for 25 years.  Grayson Hamrick broke this record and then some, carrying the ball 38 times gaining 246 yards, surpassing the record by over 100 yards.  Grayson’s total for the year was 1418 yards, a record that will be tough to beat.  When asked what he attributed his success to, his answer was simple – first, to give thanks to God for giving him his abilities, and second only to God are his teammates; without them, the record would have been impossible to obtain.  Also, coming in third was his family and the fans that came out all season in support of the team, even when the season wasn’t what they hoped for or expected.  He wanted to give special thanks to the offensive line, without them neither he nor the rest of the ball handlers would have gotten as far as they did. In his own words, “It takes all of us, the record was a team effort and a team effort only.”  I also want to congratulate Grayson Hamrick. Yes, I know it took a team effort, but it also took a lot of guts and determination to gain that much real estate.  You helped make the year exciting.

Clay Panthers Defeat Van 25-14 in Thriller

   Friday night football was at its best--there was mud, rain and cold--perfect for the last game of the season.  The Panthers came on the field with one thing on their mind, to win the last game and go out with force.  The Panther offensive line led the way opening holes and allowing the ball handlers a chance to score.  ***Read the rest of the story and see pictures in this weeks edition of the Free Press***

11-3-10

CLAY COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL TAILGATE PARTY
"ALL" CCHS Panther Sports and Marching Band Tailgate Party on Friday, November 5th at 3:30 PM.
   In celebration of a safe season and in appreciation for support and dedication from all Panther Fans.  All Panther Fans, Parents, Community, Staff and Businesses are invited.  Grilled hamburgers, hot-dogs, drinks, side-dishes and desserts will be provided.
"Lets Go Panthers!!"
For more information call 304-587-2977 or 304-993-2977

10-27-10

Clay Middle School CWVAC Western Division Champions
      The Clay County Middle School Mustangs traveled to Roane County to take on the Spencer Middle School Yellow Jackets this past Thursday.  The winner would be crowned Western Division Champs and advance to the CWVAC Championship game in Summersville.

   The game started with the Mustangs kicking off to the Yellow Jackets.  Spencer controlled most of the first quarter, driving the ball down inside the Mustangs 30 yard line.  However, the Mustang’s defense held strong.  The Mustang’s offense then took the field and scored two touchdowns in the second quarter, giving the Mustangs a 12-0 lead at the half.  The Mustangs rushed for 111 yards in the 2nd quarter and controlled the clock.  ***Read the rest of the story and see pictures in this weeks edition of the Free Press***

Panthers Lose a Heartbreaker to #1 rated Ravenswood, 58-23.

Saturday night (Oct.23rd) the #1 rated Ravenswood Red Devils came to town expecting to annihilate the Clay Panthers.  One could see from the beginning that the panthers were not ready to throw in the towel just yet.  With an outstanding display of defense the Panthers held the top rated team to 0 points in the first half of play.  ***Read the rest of the story and see pictures in this weeks edition of the Free Press***