Horace Blankenship

The Berkeley Springs High School wrestling team traveled to Point Pleasant on Friday, December 22, for the two day Jason Eades Memorial Tournament. The Indians finished fifth in the 15-team field, with freshman Derek Hovermale claiming the only individual title for Berkeley Springs.

Hovermale (103) went a perfect 8-0 over the two days, avenging one of his two losses on the season by pinning Michael Prince of Shady Springs in the finals.

Berkeley Springs defeated Hancock 81-70 on Wednesday, December 27, in the opening round of the Tri-State Shootout, before falling to Southern Fulton, 54-32, in the championship game the following evening.

A 10-minute scoring drought in the title game was more than the Tribe could overcome.

Berkeley Springs was eager to make a statement the week before Christmas. After all, they were playing games against the two teams in their section, Keyser and Frankfort. Wins would have given the Tribe much confidence and put doubt in the minds of their sectional rivals. However, slow starts in each contest doomed the Indians as they lost to Keyser and Frankfort by respective scores of 65-47 and 53-46.

"It is disappointing," said Berkeley Springs coach Dale McCumbee. "We had our opportunities in each game but just couldn't come up with a win. I guess if there is anything encouraging in the losses it is the fact that we were right there in both games, despite not playing up to our potential."

The Warm Springs Middle School wrestling team traveled across the state to participate in the 11-team Jason Eades Memorial Tournament, held on December 22 and 23 in Point Pleasant.

The trip was a success, with the Wolves finishing second in a field that included six of the top ten middle school teams in the state, according to wvmat.com. Point Pleasant, the top ranked team, won the event with 141 points. Warm Springs placed second with 102 followed by Spencer 96, Milton 78, Independence 70, Calhoun County 58, Cammack 49, Shady Springs 45, Western Greenbrier 44, East Fairmont 38 and Wahama 6.