Sports in The Dominion Post

This article appeared in the Dominion Post Newspaper on February 9, 2004.
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MHS boys grab No. 1 in W.Va. poll

Bob Gay/The Dominion Post

Players like 3-point artist Tyler Benson have led MHS to the No. 1 spot.

CHARLESTON (AP) -- It's been a long wait, but Morgantown High is No. 1 among the state's Class AAA boys basketball programs.

The Mohigans moved past Martinsburg, the preseason No. 1 who slid to No. 3 after losing its first game of the season last week to South Hagerstown, Md.

South Charleston took over the No. 2 spot and received the only first place vote that did not go to Morgantown.

Martinsburg (11-1) plays at Morgantown (15-0) Saturday.

It has been at least eight years since Morgantown has held down the No. 1 ranking in The Associated Press boys poll.

"It's nice for the kids. I don't think that much about it," said veteran MHS coach Tom Yester. "I just want to win every game and play better every game."

Yester doesn't believe being No. 1 will change anything for Morgantown.

"We've been the target since we were No. 2," he said. "That doesn't change. The kids have begun to respond better. I told them that I never get too excited until we play 15 games. Well, we've played 15 games now."

Huntington improved two spots to fourth in Class AAA, followed by Woodrow Wilson, George Washington, Hedgesville, Robert C. Byrd, Wheeling Park and St. Albans.

St. Albans returned to the poll after a one-week absence, while previous No. 8 Capital dropped out after losing twice.

Oak Glen, known more for its dominant wrestling program, received seven first-place votes in Class AA in what is believed to be its first No. 1 ranking in the AP poll.

Oak Glen moved up from No. 4 after winning twice while the three teams above it lost.

W.Va. boys poll

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) -- The Associated Press boys high school basketball poll released Sunday, with first-place votes in parentheses, records, points and last week's ranking:

TeamRec Pts Pvs

Class AAA

1. Morgantown (9) 15-0 99 2

2. South Charleston (1) 15-2 85 3

3. Martinsburg 11-1 83 1

4. Huntington15-2 68 6

5. Woodrow Wilson 9-4 58 5

6. George Washington 13-4 52 4

7. Hedgesville 10-2 39 7

8. Robert C. Byrd 11-2 30 8

9. Wheeling Park10-5 18 10

10. St. Albans 10-6 7 --

Others: Capital 4, Elkins 4, Parkersburg South 3.

Class AA

1. Oak Glen (7) 15-0 94 4

2. Magnolia 12-3 81 1

3. Poca (1) 12-2 80 2

4. Westside (2) 12-2 71 5

5. Bluefield 12-2 59 3

6. Lincoln11-2 54 6

7. Tug Valley11-4 31 10

8. Ravenswood14-2 29 7

9. Wyoming East 9-3 17 9

10. Logan 11-6 15 8

Others: Man 8, Scott 8, Oak Hill 3.

Class A

1. Gilmer County (7) 14-1 96 1

2. Charleston Cath. (3) 14-1 92 2

3. Meadow Bridge12-2 76 3

4. Linsly 12-5 50 5

5. Tolsia 10-5 42 7

6. Williamson 9-4 41 4

7. Gilbert11-5 36 --

8. Buffalo11-3 35 8

9. Harts 12-4 27 6

10. Hamlin 9-4 17 10

Others: Valley Fayette 13, Tucker County 9, Wheeling Central 9, Paden City 3, Trinity 3, Midland Trail 1.

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