MOHIGAN JOURNAL- DECEMBER 9
by Coach Hoffman coachhoffman@mohiganbasketball.com
Well its been a busy around here this week. We have had our share of highs and lows. It was particularily disappointing to see the Freshman team play the way they did against Bridgeport. I know that the Indians are the best 9th grade team in the area, but I expected our skill players to handle the pressure much better than they did. They lost 66-46, but will have a chance to play them again in February. The next night they scored 95 points against Elkins and looked like the team I thought they would be. Check out the article on their scores and stats else where in the web site. I'm not sure where Swifty put it, but if you look you'll find it. On the other hand the Varsity did well in its scrimage against John Marshall. I'll talk about it later.
I had the opportunity to see Dave Plum play two games this week and he looks like he is taking to college basketball, very well. He is playing for Davis and Elkins and is playing about 20 minutes per game and averaging about 6 points and 6 rebounds per game. In college they let you be more physical and that is as you know, what Dave likes. He is still struggling with the loss of Amber, but he is handling it with great maturity. He has great faith and many friends and I'm sure he be fine. If you want his e-mail address, drop me an e-mail and I'll send it to you.
Zach Spiker(Mohigan class of '95) called to check up on the team. He is having a great time as the assistant coach at Winthrop University in North Carolina. His team has played some big games already this season as they have played at Ohio State and hosted Marshall. I believe they also played at Nebraska. They didn't win any of them but competed well. Zach has a great mind and will make a great head coach some day. We are very proud of him.
We would like to thank the Fogarty family for having the parents over after the scrimage on Friday. It was great to see all of our parents and relax and have a good time with them. I see our parents bonding, and that can only help as we try to support each other's kids. I was very impressed with JV parents during the scrimage. I hardly ever listen to the fans, but took a few moments to listen and all of the comments were positive, even when we weren't playing well. I hope that continues as I think it will rub off on the team. We could be very good this year if we pass the ball the way we did Friday night. I will never question the intensity of this group, they seem to have really improved in this area. The John Marshall JV team will win 15-20 games this year and we handled them fairly well. We need to continue to work on our half court offense and our help side defense. Could be a great JV season. We will find out on Wednesday as Preston is one of the best JV teams we will play this year.
I haven't had much time to watch the varsity scrimage tape but will set down later today and break it down, with Coach Yester. It was great to see Ronnie get 29 points, he usually doesn't score many because he is the guy rebounding and assisting. That is the way it will be this year, each night someone different will lead us. But no one for a long time, in this town has worked as hard as Ronnie did this past off season. Its going to pay off for us because all of the seniors have made tremendous strides. Bobby is much stronger and might be our best over all player, but he will do whatever it takes to win. His passing in the last two quarters was outstanding. Vido has continued to change his game as he is very explosive now, and not just a perimeter scorer. Nick dominated the JM bigger guys around the bucket and Seth out rebounded taller players all night because he knows how to position himself and box out. What a shame for Matt and Geremy. They had mild sprains and will hopefully be ready for Wednesday. They just can't get a break, but its a long season and they are very much important parts of this team. Chad, Dan and Tim will fill their roles well. Chad once again had ten points, Dan put intense pressure on and Tim seems to rarely make a mistake and does the little things well.
The Varsity's first game is this Wednesday, against Preston at MHS. Coach Sanders always has a few tricks up his sleeve and you better believe that this will be a tough game for us. I predict that Thomas Hooten will lead the NCAC in scoring this season. Our guys have played him for years and know that he is tough matchup. He will play college basketball and is one of the best players in the state. They have a 6'5 post player who moved in and you put that with the rest of their talent pool and they will be tough matchup. There is nothing sweeter in Preston County, than a win over Morgantown High. By the way somebody from Preston keeps dogging Ronnie on the guest book. We like that because it serves as fuel for our players. Anyway, what they are saying about him is so far from the truth, I consider it absurd. We'll do our talking on the court.
Dr. Fogarty gave me the phone number of the banner guy. His name is Joe and his number is 363-1529. His banners cost between $25-50. They can be hung on the wall before our games. They would be great keep sakes or porch flags and serve as another nice idea to support our hardworking kids.
I would like to close by saying thanks to all the guys that have worked with our players in the off-season. Your hard work with these kids is very evident. From top to bottom the improvement in our program is really going to show this season and you'll be the main reason.
God Bless and GO MOHIGANS!
submitted by Coach Hoffman

JV's LOOK SHARP IN SCRIMAGE
The JV team had its final tune up Friday evening as they defeated John Marshall 60-40 in the Clyde gym. JM won one quarter and served as good competition for our 9 sophomores. Hot shooting Ty Benson led the way with an 8-13 shooting night as he talied 17 points. The rest of the scoring was balanced, but defense is the word for the day. MHS 21 points in 3 quarters. The stats are below.
Jones 4 points, 10 rebounds, 3 steals, 0 assists, 0 blocked shots; Solly 3 points, 5 rebounds, 0 steals, 1 assist, 0 blocked shots; Torsney 7 points, 5 rebounds, 1 steal, 0 assists, 0 blocked shots; Holt 6 points, 4 rebounds, 1 steal, 0 assists, 3 blocked shots; Law 6 points, 9 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 assists, 2 blocked shots; Benson 17 points, 1 rebound, 3 steals, 3 assists, 0 blocked shots; Williams 0 points, 2 rebounds, 3 steals, 0 assists, 0 blocked shots; Durham 6 points, 3 rebounds, 2 steals, 3 assists, 0 blocked shots; Hines 6 points, 3 rebounds, 1 steal, 2 assists, 0 blocked shots


VARSITY OUTGUNS JM 119-100
Ronnie Shaver and Bobby Prim combined for 52 points as MHS cruised to a 119-100 victory over a tall and talented John Marshall team. MHS led 81-65 after 4 quarters as the small but quick Mohigans scored at will but had difficulty stopping the Monarch offense. Four others scored in double figures as Seth Fogarty added 13 points and 11 rebounds. See the stats below. MHS will host its first game on Wednesday at the MAC, against NCAC foe Preston High. Gametime is 7:30.

Prim 23 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals, 6 assists, 0 blocked shots; Fogarty 13 points, 11 rebounds, 1 steals, 3 assists, 0 blocked shots; Vidovich 14 points, 9 rebounds, 2 steals, 5 assists, 0 blocked shots; Simpson 1 point, 2 rebounds, 0 steals, 0 assists, 0 blocked shots; Rodamer 5 points, 3 rebounds, 1 steals, 3 assists, 0 blocked shots; Williams 3 points, 5 rebounds, 1 steal, 2 assists, 0 blocked shots; Hedges 16 points, 6 rebounds, 1 steals, 3 assists, 0 blocked shots; Dalton 2 points, 4 rebounds, 6 steals, 3 assists, 0 blocked shots; Murray 10 points, 4 rebounds, 0 steals, 0 assists, 0 blocked shots