WHEELING, W.Va. — One of the state’s all-time winningest boys basketball coaches, Sam Andy, has passed away following a battle with brain cancer.
Andy, 76, won three state championships during his time at Wheeling High School and Wheeling Park. After leading Wheeling High to a title in 1976, Andy’s teams also won titles at Wheeling Park in 1980 and 1995. The 1995 championship is remembered often as one of the best title games in the the state’s history as the Patriots beat Woodrow Wilson 99-96 in triple-overtime.
He finished his 39-year career with 611 wins, the second most all-time in the state of West Virginia. Andy’s teams also added a state runner-up in 1997 and four other semifinal appearances in 1988, 1990, 1998 and 2000.
Overall, Andy led Wheeling High and Wheeling Park to a combined 20 state tournament appearances. His teams only had three combined losing seasons.