Warren’s Clash at the Coliseum set for this weekend

Warren’s Julian Stadelman (00) handles the ball as Marietta’s Braiden Plaugher defends during a game earlier this season at Sutton Gymnasium.
(Photos by Mike Morrison)

VINCENT — While a big part of the sports world will be focused on the college football playoffs this weekend, Southeast Ohio basketball fans will have a chance to enjoy some high quality hoops action at Warren High School.

The Warriors’ annual Clash at the Coliseum is set for today and Saturday, with varsity games taking place at the new Warrior Coliseum and JV action happening at the old gym.

Some of the top boys and girls programs in the area will be competing.

“We take a lot of pride in the event and want everybody to have a great time,” said Warren boys coach Blane Maddox. “It’s really a great basketball environment.”

Varsity action gets underway at 3:15 p.m. today when the Eastern boys take on Waverly. At 5, the Eastern girls will take on Danny Bunch’s 4-0 Williamstown Yellowjackets.

Warren’s Sarah Pettey (13) handles the ball as Marietta’s Alyssa Baker defends during a game earlier this season at Warrior Coliseum.
(Photos by Mike Morrison)

Then, the host Warriors will take over the gym. At 6:45 the Warren boys will take on the Williamstown boys before the Warren girls cap off the night against Federal Hocking.

“Williamstown is really good,” Maddox said. “They play hard and play with a lot of energy. We’ve got to get out on their shooters and crash the boards if we want to defend our home court.”

Maddox’s Warriors are off to a 3-1 start and are led by a nine-man senior class.

“We’re not where we want to be yet, but we’re getting closer,” Maddox said. “We’re going to get better and better as we go along. Our schedule the next two weeks is outstanding. We play a lot of undefeated and ranked teams. We’ve got to get the job done.”

Head coach Amos Cottrill’s Fed Hock girls are off to a 5-2 start and will present a strong challenge for the Brad Venham-coached Warriors.

“Federal Hocking, we’ve seen them throughout the year,” Venham said. “They’re a well coached team with coach Amos at the helm. They’re quick, athletic and have good shooters. I think it’s going to be a great game.”

WHS picked up its fifth win of the season Wednesday over South Gallia, 41-20.

“We had a really good game, especially defensively,” Venham said. “We allowed seven points over the last three quarters. That speaks to the work and the effort the team it putting in. There’s a different feel this year. They’re really buying into the ‘we over me’ mentality. Day in and day out, our goal is just to get better.”

Saturday will feature a full slate of varsity tils beginning at 10 a.m. between the Fort Frye and Southern boys teams. Following that will be the Fort Frye and Belpre girls in the only all-Washington County matchup of the weekend. At 1:30 p.m., the Belpre boys will take on Caldwell.

Two boys teams from the Mountain State will face off at 3:15 when Spring Mills takes on Linsly. Another boys game at 5 pits Waterford against Morgan before the Warriors close it out.

The Warren girls will take on Caldwell at 6:45 before the boys wrap things up against River Valley at 8:30.

“It’s a really cool event for the local community,” Venham said. “Fans get to to take in a lot of good basketball for a couple days.”

And for folks hoping to keep an eye on the college football action, the lobby outside of the gymnasium will be showing the games. You may even see Venham, a Notre Dame fan, out there occasionally.

“People can go out at halftime, check on the scores, watch some plays, and there’ll be great food there, too,” Venham said. “Coach Maddox, Mr. (Steve) Harold, and everybody who puts effort into this event does a phenomenal job”

Contact Jordan Holland at jholland@mariettatimes.com.