Ian Grimley, MORGANTOWN - University head basketball coach Paul Ingle has been keeping things in perspective following the Hawks’ double-overtime win over rival Morgantown late last month.
“I don’t want to overstate the impact of one win,” Ingle said. “But, it shows our kids that we can compete, play and beat any team in our region.”
Regardless, including that win, the Hawks have put together three wins in a row for the first time this season and enter the week with an 11-5 record. The win over then-No. 2 Morgantown propelled University up to No. 10 in last week’s MetroNews Power Index.
Overall, it’s been a season of ups and downs for the Hawks. University has two close losses to Parkersburg South, a split with Wheeling Park, a split with Brooke and a lopsided December loss to South Charleston.
Still, Ingle said his team’s chemistry as a whole and depth has gradually improved throughout the year.
“It’s nice to be able to look down my bench and find some kids that are willing and able to play,” he said. “That’s a big part of it.”
And part of that depth includes leading scorer and senior Travis Tomer.
“His versatility is great on offense. He prefers to play facing the basket, but when we get the right matchup we take him low,” he said.
The Hawks have a home rematch against Morgantown set for Friday as they settle in for a potential postseason run.
“Our goal has been to finish as well as we can so that we can get a sectional home game and that’s really important to us,” Ingle said. “Before the injuries to Morgantown, I think most people would have considered Morgantown the No. 1 seed and I think they still do.
“Parkersburg South is looking pretty good and I would like to think that we fit third or fourth in our region right now,” he continued. “I hope we can still go out and prove to people that we deserve a good seeding in our region and our section.”
University’s section-two opponents out of region one include Morgantown, Preston and John Marshall. Brooke, Parkersburg, Parkersburg South and Wheeling Park make up the other section in region one.
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