Spring ValleyÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s Sophi Hutchison (left) tries to drive around St. AlbansÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ Jaelyn Vance (0) during their WVSSAC State Class AAAA Semifinal Basketball Tournament Friday, March 14, 2025, at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center.
Spring ValleyÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s Sophi Hutchison (left) tries to drive around St. AlbansÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ Jaelyn Vance (0) during their WVSSAC State Class AAAA Semifinal Basketball Tournament Friday, March 14, 2025, at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center.
Sophi Hutchison is in the mood to explore the big city.
The Spring Valley High School rising senior point guard, regarded by many as the premier player in West Virginia, committed to LaSalle University. She chose the Explorers over offers from Radford, North Alabama and others.
Hutchison was the most valuable player of the Class AAAA state tournament. She scored 24 points in a title game victory over Morgantown. Hutchison was a first-team all-state and All Tri-State pick.
Khamil Martin also made a big splash with her college announcement, committing to Duke.
The Ironton rising senior softball shortstop was a first-team all-state and All Tri-State selection.
CONDOLENCES: Prayers are requested for former Ceredo-Kenova baseball star Aca Ramey, who died July 13.
One of the better pitchers ever in the Tri-State, Ramey was 59. He pitched at Morehead State University.
COACH SPEAK: Former Ironton and Ironton St. Joe football coach Bob Lutz was inducted into the Ohio Sports Hall of Fame last week.
Tim Kochendoerfer was hired as boys basketball coach at Rowan County. Kochendoerfer was an all-stater at Ironton. Portsmouth Notre Dame football coach Buster Davis resigned to accept a coaching job in Florida.
Recruiting roundup
SIGNINGS: Coal Grove trackÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s Maddie McDaniel (Marshall). Former Independence baseball star Atticus Goodson of Walters State Community College (Concord).
OFFERS: Huntington High footballÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s Aryn McPherson (Bluefield State). Ashland footballÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s Sam Lyons and Brody Simpkins (Morehead State). George Washington basketballÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s Noah Lewis (Oakland). Wheeling Central basketballÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s Eli Sancomb (College of Charleston).
TRANSFERS: Former Lawrence County baseball standout Will Lafferty transferred from Marshall to Winthrop.
NOTES, QUOTES, ANECDOTES: Former Raceland football and baseball player Tyler Boyles is the new chief of staff of the Dallas Cowboys.
