Open gym sessions popular

By Ed Banks Harrison News-Herald Staff Writer

CADIZ — Though the 2022-23 Harrison Central school year is just days away, the diehard and faithful athletes are beginning to return to the gymnasium for summer fun in “Open Gym” activities.

Open Gym is an unstructured time in the gymnasium where students are given access to fitness equipment, participate in fitness stations, and run laps without sanctioned rules application.

Following Thursday’s school closing, the boys’ basketball students were in the gym promptly at 3 p.m. to exercise with demonstrated drills and skills. The basketball open gym sessions are run from 3-4 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays and continue through June.

Thursday’s session was held without the athletes who remain in spring sports, namely track and baseball.

“This is a good time for the students,” said Harrison Central Head Basketball Coach Aaron

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ODNR MRM Training Center Storage Facility Harrison County,

Foldi. “As you can see, we are minus the spring sports people, but they will join at some point.

Soon we will be involved with a scrimmage at the Steubenville ‘Summer Slam,’ during the first week of June. Following that outing, we are going to participate in the Wheeling ‘Shoot Out,’ that is scheduled to take place in the Highlands.

On June 16 and 17, we will be at the University of Findlay where we scrimmage some big schools like Cleveland and Columbus.” Following the boys’ basketball session, the girl’s reserve and varsity volleyball teams were already on hand to begin their 4-5 p.m. open-gym session. These sessions will continue through both June and July.

“We will attend a summer league at Bellaire High School,” said Harrison Central’s Athletic Director and Head Volleyball Coach Ray Hibbs. “That league is scheduled on Mondays in June. Also, we will in the Sectional Championship game against

Martins Ferry back on May 17 to advance into the District round. With the 4-3 victory, the Huskies secured the school’s seventh sectional title in school history. Not only did Madzia provide the game-winning run in the bottom of the seventh from the batter’s box, he also worked two outs in relief in the top of the final inning to earn the pitching victory as well. Nemeth got the start against Ferry, striking out 11 Purple Riders in 6.1 innings of work before handing the ball off to his fellow classmate.

“I’m proud of this group. This group of seniors mean so much to our program. They continue to compete and fight for each other,” an elated Valesko commented in regards to his team’s current senior leadership.

It will be the top seed (Fort Frye) vs. fourth seed (HC) for a berth in the Div. III Sweet 16 come Wednesday night (May 24) in Guernsey County.