— Story by Taylor Kennedy
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Last March, the Morgantown Mohigans were one game short of reaching the state high school basketball tournament. The Mohigans fell to Wheeling Park in the Class AAA Region 1 championship game.
Since that game, senior forward Carson Poffenberger has been using that memory as motivation to get ready for his final season with Morgantown.
“I would say that it is fuel to the fire. It just makes that desire to win so much higher and better. We were disappointed last year. It burns just thinking about it. We were expected to be a state contender, and we did not make it there. In the back of your mind, you tell yourself that you were not good enough. It has been a huge motivator for not only me but for our team,” said Poffenberger.
This year, senior student-athletes across the country are having to be a senior leader now more than ever. They have to find ways of keeping their teammates concentrated on the common goal. Poffenberger has been trying to keep his teammates focused on the task at hand.
“The biggest thing as a senior this year is to keep our guys motivated. I am sure that a lot of other teams are struggling with this. It is hard to keep yourself motivated during a time like this. You are out running and shooting on your own. Coaches are not making you go to practice. I think one of the biggest roles that I have had to fill this year is not so much the coach’s role, but being one of the guys that is encouraging everyone to come to workouts or do stuff on their own. I am trying to be that mentor for the younger guys saying it is now or never. We want to win,” said Poffenberger.
“I know I keep saying I, but it is also the senior leaders who are helping just as much as well.”
Winter student-athletes dealt with confusion as the start dates for their respected seasons were unknown. Poffenberger felt like he took a jab after all the hard work he put into getting prepared for the basketball season.
“It was a punch to the gut for sure. I have worked extremely hard, and so have the rest of my team. For the senior class, we all have worked extremely hard to prepare ourselves for the last four years trying to have a great senior year, and be the team’s leaders. I feel very strongly that once we get the chance to play we will surprise a lot of people,” said Poffenberger.
On January 11th, Governor Jim Justice announced that winter athletics could begin practices beginning February 15th and games could commence at the start of March. Poffenberger was relieved to finally know that he was going to be able to play one final season.
“I mean it was joy. I love basketball. We all have put in a lot of time to get to where we are today. It was amazing to hear, as of now, we are playing. It has been up in the air. To have it set in stone, as of now, that we are playing has been awesome. It is unexplainable to feel that kind of relief almost because you work hard and you push yourself with the hopes of playing. It is a good deal that we are being told that all your hard work is going to pay off,” said Poffenberger.
Head coach Dave Tallman will be going into his seventh season with the Mohigans. Poffenberger has spent the last four years playing under Tallman. Poffenberger is appreciative of Tallman checking in every so often to see how not only he is doing but the rest of the team.
“Coach Tallman has done a really good job this year at sending a text here and there. He would say like ‘I assume you all have heard about the season being pushed back. If you need anything at all call me.’ He is good at checking in on his players mentally and physically. Just seeing if we are all good,” said Poffenberger. “I cannot speak to how good he has done with all of us.”
Student-athletes will deal with the unknown of who or when their next game will be. Poffenberger has been changing his mindset surrounding everyday life.
“I have tried this year to change my outlook. In a sense, I am trying to be grateful for whatever I get. As much as it stinks I am not going to get a normal senior season, I am trying to have a positive outlook,” said Poffenberger. “I have tried to appreciate the fact that I might not get all my games and practices, but we will get some and that is more than a lot of people have it right now. There are a lot of people who have it worse than us right now.”
Poffenberger says that he is 100% trying to play at the next level. He has been receiving interest from Alderson Broaddus, Shepherd, Marietta College, and Washington & Jefferson College. Poffenberger was a member of last season’s Class AAA all-state second team.
Morgantown will take the court March 5th at home against Washington.