Knights look for solid showing in tournament
By DAVID
WALSH - The Herald-Dispatch
ONA -- Cabell Midland returns to more friendlier wrestling surroundings today as the host school for the Coca Cola Classic.
Joining the Knights in the round-robin high school tournament are Huntington, Prestonsburg, Sheldon Clark, Spring Valley and Winfield. Matches begin at 9 a.m.
Cabell Midland opened the season last Friday in perhaps the toughest arena a team can visit -- Parkersburg South. The Patriots, defending Class AAA state champions, showed little rust as they blitzed the young Knights, 70-12.
"They had about 2,500 fans," Cabell Midland coach Ernie Sparks said. "They have that music, then they come out for warmups. We had nine sophomores out there. I knew we were in trouble."
Cabell Midland entered the match minus several key performers. Justin Stanley (119 pounds) is sidelined with a neck injury. Chris Gibbs (130) suffered a shoulder injury in his match against Bryce Pickens and defaulted. Heavyweight Byron Wellman has not yet made weight. Jeff Snell (119) and Roman Hodges (112) elected not to wrestle this season.
"It�s going to be tough right now," said Sparks, whose Knights finished runner-up to Parkersburg South in the state tournament last February. "When we get healthy and get the guys where they�re supposed to be, we�ll be OK."
Cabell Midland won last year�s Coca Cola Classic.
Sparks has seen his Knights give Parkersburg South fits the past couple of seasons. However, the Patriots dominated from the outset in the latest encounter as they won nine matches by pinfall.
Cabell Midland got wins via pin from Marty Emmerson at 189 and Ryan Frazier at 215.
"They were ready," Sparks said of the Patriots. "We took some notes. When these sophomores go back up there as seniors, we�ll see what happens."
Huntington met with better fortune in its opener last Friday, defeating Roane County (57-18) and Nicholas County (55-13) in a triangular competition at Roane County.
"We�re young," Highlanders coach Bill Archer said.
Huntington has four seniors. They are Billy Barrett (125), Joey Thomas (171), Chris Scarberry (189) and Mitch Hastings at heavyweight. Scarberry, who went 1-1 in the matches, currently has a thumb injury and won�t compete today.
Archer said
Sheldon Clark, traditionally a strong team in Kentucky, should make its
presence felt at this tournament.