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Tug Valley Panthers expect a winning season
Coach Kyle Runyon takes the reins BY KYLE LOVERN MOUNTAIN CITIZEN NAUGATUCK, W.Va. — Kyle Runyon, who was an assistant coach for the Tug Valley Panthers for two seasons, is now leading the way as the first-year head coach in Naugatuck. He and his assistant coaches expect another winning season in 2026. Runyon knows his…
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Four Tug Valley baseball players receive All-State honors
BY KYLE LOVERN MOUNTAIN CITIZEN Four Tug Valley High School baseball players have been named to the Class A All-State Baseball team. The Panthers’ Gavin Fitzpatrick, Chandler Copley, Darian Vance and Dawson Richardson were all named Honorable Mention All-State. Fitzpatrick, a senior, led the Panthers with a .444 batting average. He also had 40 base…
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Three Tug Valley standouts earn All-State softball honors
BY KYLE LOVERN MOUNTAIN CITIZEN Tug Valley placed three players on the West Virginia Sports Writers Association Class A All-State softball teams, with senior Bailee Hall and sophomore Katie Hall earning first-team honors and sophomore Emma Lackey receiving honorable mention recognition. Bailee Hall was a repeat member of the Class A All-State first team. The…
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Tyler Weddington transfers to Tug Valley
BY KYLE LOVERN MOUNTAIN CITIZEN Tug Valley has become a perennial power in Class A basketball in West Virginia over the last few years. They have won three straight state championships. Their chances for winning another title increased recently with the transfer of Phelps High School standout Tyler Weddington. The muscular, 6-foot-5 low post threat…
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Kirk & Crum Law Office Players of the Week: Tug Valley Panthers baseball
BY BRITTNI MCCOY MOUNTAIN CITIZEN NAUGATUCK — The Tug Valley High School baseball team is the Kirk & Crum Law Office Players of the Week. The Panthers put together one of the most memorable postseason runs in recent program history under Coach LeeAnn Blankenship during the Class A Region 4 Tournament. Tug Valley battled through…
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Tug Valley baseball makes history before regional run ends at Man
BY KYLE LOVERN MOUNTAIN CITIZEN Tug Valley battled through a dramatic run in the Class A Region 4 Baseball Tournament with a walk-off victory over Calhoun County, a no-hit mercy-rule win over Van and two heartbreakers against Man. The Panthers bowed out Friday with a 9-6 loss to Man, finishing the year 18-18 and matching…
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Tug Valley topples Mingo Central, Chapmanville before Wayne setback
BY KYLE LOVERN MOUNTAIN CITIZEN Tug Valley defeated county rival Mingo Central 6-4 and avenged an earlier season loss to Chapmanville with a 12-2 mercy-rule victory before falling 8-5 at Wayne later in the week. Tug Valley 6, Mingo Central 4 Dawson Richardson struck out 10 batters as he led Tug Valley past county rival…
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Braydun Ferris chosen for South All-Star squad
BY KYLE LOVERN MOUNTAIN CITIZEN NAUGATUCK, W.Va. — Tug Valley senior point guard Braydun Ferris has been selected to the South squad for the annual North-South All-Star game to be played June 19 at the South Charleston Community Center. Ferris is a four-time All-Stater and helped lead the Panthers to three straight Class A state…
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Tug Valley goes 4-1; Richardson fans 15 against Mingo Central
BY KYLE LOVERN MOUNTAIN CITIZEN NAUGATUCK, W.Va. — Dawson Richardson struck out 15 in a complete-game gem against Mingo Central as Tug Valley went 4-1 over a five-game stretch. The Panthers beat Mingo Central, Poca and Hannan while dropping a one-run decision at Man. Tug Valley 4, Mingo Central 1 Dawson Richardson was dominant on…
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Kyle Runyon tapped as new Tug Valley football coach
BY KYLE LOVERN MOUNTAIN CITIZEN NAUGATUCK, W.Va. — Tug Valley High School has tapped assistant coach Kyle Runyon to lead its football program. He replaces departing head coach Hady Ford. Runyon joined the Panthers staff in the summer of 2024 and quickly took on key responsibilities. He served as defensive line coach, run game coordinator…
