Yester, Sell earn NCAC honors
MHS places 3 on first-team
Jason DeProspero/The Dominion Post

Morgantown High coach Tom Yester

BY JUSTIN JACKSON
The Dominion Post

Morgantown High boys' basketball coach Tom Yester and North Marion girls' coach Rick Sell had a lot in common this season.

Both coaches led their teams to banner seasons. MHS finished with a 22-4 record and a trip to the state semifinals, while North Marion went 22-5 and finished as the state's runner-up.

But, how tough was the North Central Athletic Conference this season? Both Yester and Sell led their teams to second place finishes in the conference.

On Friday, the two coaches were named NCAC Coaches of the Year.

"It's wonderful to know that your accomplishments as a team don't go unnoticed," Sell said. "It was a wonderful season for the girls and it was fun being part of it."

"It's always nice to be recognized, especially when it comes from the other coaches in the conference," Yester said. "I'll be honest, it's the players that win their coach that honor."

Both coaches had their share of talented players this season.

The Mohigans placed three players on the NCAC first team: point guard Bobby Prim, forward Ronnie Shaver and center Nick Hedges.

"You really can't go wrong with those three," Yester said. "I've said it before that our seniors were the strength of our team and there's three of them right there. They're with some great company, as well."

Fairmont Senior, which edged the Mohigans out by a game in the conference race, also placed three on the first team: guard Will Bridges, center Cornelius Dillard and forward Drew Hannah.

Preston's Thomas Hooton, who finished as the NCAC's second-leading scorer with 18.4 points was also named to the first team. Teammate Chris Hartley was named to the second team.

University High's Casey Jackson and Bryan Phillips were named to the second team.

Elkins guard Nick Patella, which led the conference in scoring (21.3), rebounding (10.7) and assists (8.2) was named the boys' Player of the Year.

The Sell's swept the girls' honors. Along with Rick Sell winning the coaching honors, his daughter Jessica was named NCAC Player of the Year.

Jessica Sell led the NCAC in scoring (30.5), rebounding (14.7) and assists (7.1). Teammates Erica Glance was named to the first team and Holly Dudash was named to the second team.

"The attitude of the girls this year was that hard work would pay off," Rick Sell said. "Obviously, they had some success this season. It's nice for them to see that they received some recognition."

Morgantown High edged the Huskies out by one game for the conference title and placed seniors Carmelita Jimenez and Summer Leydig on the first team. Leydig led the Mohigans in scoring at 13.7 points. Jimenez, who tore her ACL and missed the Mohigans' last eight games, scored 12.3 points. Teammate Daya Perkins was named to the second team.

University High placed both Trisha Frum and Lauren Riggs on the first team. Frum averaged 10.5 points, while Riggs led the Hawks with an 11.8 scoring average.

Preston High's Kara Jenkins and SeeGee Kisner were both named to the Honorable Mention team.