Maybe Parker OÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™Dell and his brother Carson will take up billiards next, since they excel at putting a ball in a hole in multiple sports.
The OÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™Dell brothers star in basketball and golf at Hurricane High School. TheyÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ll lead the Redskins into ThursdayÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s 8:30 a.m. Mountain State Athletic Conference tournament at the Edgewood Country Club in Sissonville.
The brothers are coached by their dad, Sam OÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™Dell, one of the premier golfers in West Virginia.
Hurricane won its opening tournament of the season, the Duke Ridgley Invitational, at Guyan Golf & Country Club for the first time on Aug. 5.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œThe season starts, and bam, youÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™re in a big tournament,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Sam OÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™Dell said.
Three weeks later, the Redskins figure to battle Cabell Midland and George Washington for supremacy in the MSAC.
Other coaches have tabbed Hurricane the favorite in great part because of the OÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™Dells and Isaac Hayes, a sophomore.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œItÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s really fun watching them,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Sam OÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™Dell said of his sons. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œTheyÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™re both getting good. Parker has played more tournament golf than Carson, who goes and plays travel basketball for four days somewhere and then comes back to a Monday qualifier. I canÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™t imagine doing that.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
Carson OÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™Dell, a senior, averaged 25 points per game last season in basketball. Parker, a sophomore, scored 14 points per contest. Both routinely shoot in the upper 60s to low 70s on the golf course. Both are good enough to play either sport in college.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œWhatever IÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™m playing at the time,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Carson OÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™Dell said of which sport he prefers. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œIn college, IÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™m still undecided. IÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ll try to figure it out.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
Parker said he hopes to play college golf.
Sam OÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™Dell said heÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ll let the boys decide.
Carson OÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™Dell saw what future college basketball players look like on the summer circuit. Despite possessing an extraordinarily quick release from 3-point range, he said he realizes heÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s built more for golf.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œHe does love basketball,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Sam OÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™Dell said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œHe has some offers from (NCAA Division) II and III schools, but I think if the right university offered him, I could see him doing it.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
If Marshall University, where Sam starred, offered a golf scholarship, that would be tempting.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œIÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™m interested to see how good he can be,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Sam OÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™Dell said of Carson. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œI think he can get really good, actually. ItÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ll be interesting to see. ItÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s been fun watching them improve. Carson asks more questions than Parker. They just have to keep playing.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
Both boys said they enjoy having their dad coach them.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œItÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s nice to have him out there for a coach,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Parker OÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™Dell said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œHe knows a lot about golf, and itÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s also good to have him out there to pump us up.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
Sam OÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™Dell said itÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s an interesting dynamic.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œI think IÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™m a really good coach to everyone but my boys,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Sam OÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™Dell said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œIÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™m quicker to be too hard on them, to say things IÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™d never say to another player.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
Winning the MSAC is a goal. The ultimate achievement, however, is taking home a state tournament from the Oglebay Resort in Wheeling. All three OÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™Dells said the Redskins have a chance.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œI like that Parker and Carson have experience at Oglebay,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Sam OÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™Dell said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œIsaac Hayes has played there, too. I think thatÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ll help. I was kind of hoping theyÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™d move it to Glade Springs. WeÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ve played Oglebay probably as much as anyone outside of Wheeling and we kind of know the course.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œTo win anything, you have to play well. ItÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s never given to you. We have to get the regionals first. I think weÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ll be ready. I like our chances.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
So do the boys, each of whom is the president of his class.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œI think we have a solid team this year,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Parker OÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™Dell said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œI think we can make a run at it at states.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
Carson OÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™Dell agreed.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œWin it all, I believe,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Carson OÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™Dell said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œWeÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ve played some great teams. To win the Duke Ridgley gives us some confidence.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
The boys say they have a ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œtrash-talkingÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ sibling rivalry. In the end, they want whatÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s best for the team.
The focus now is on winning the MSAC tournament.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œItÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s fun,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Parker OÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™Dell said of the rivalry with Cabell Midland and GW. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œItÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s fun to know you have to go out and play well to beat somebody.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
Sam OÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™Dell said he, Knights coach Matt Stead and Patriots skipper B.J. Calabrese are friends, as are many of the players.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œI always just call Matt and ask if he wants to play again,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Sam OÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™Dell said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œWe try to get together three or four times. ItÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s always fun. Our kids get along well with their kids. If you donÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™t play well, youÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™re going to lose.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
