The Battle for the Springhouse will celebrate its fifth anniversary with a schedule filled with top-notch basketball competition this weekend at The Greenbrier. The most unique high school basketball tournament in the Mountain State is played inside Colonial Hall of the iconic Greenbrier resort. Games take place on a state-of-the-art floor, the same floor used for The Greenbrier Tip-Off college tournament in November.
Games begin on Friday, January 30, at 2 p.m., when Morgantown High School takes on Parkersburg High School for a Girls Division semifinal. That’s followed by Wyoming East High School against Bridgeport High School in a Boys Division semifinal at 4 p.m. The host teams from Greenbrier East High School highlight the evening action, with the Spartan boys taking on James Monroe High School at 6 p.m., followed by the Lady Spartans against Riverside at 8 p.m.
Championship Saturday begins at 1 p.m., on January 31, with the Girls Consolation Game. That will be followed by the Boys Consolation Game at 3 p.m. The championship games begin with the Boys Championship at 5 p.m., with the Girls Championship concluding the action at 7 p.m.
In addition to incredible action on the floor, The Battle for the Springhouse prides itself on being more than just a tournament. GameChanger, the event’s presenting sponsor, is making efforts to lessen the impact of drug abuse among student-athletes across the state. Former WVU women’s basketball star Meg Bulger will be addressing the athletes on the morning of January 31, and teams in players will watch a video called, “One Pill Can Kill” on the dangers of fentanyl. There will also be elementary students from local schools coming to watch a video designed by GameChanger for their age group, focused on making healthy decisions.
All teams will stay at The Greenbrier and have an opportunity to learn more about the resort’s incredible history. Bunker tours, ice skating, bowling, history tours, escape rooms and much more have been enjoyed by teams in the past.
The tournament also gives back to the student-athletes, with a scholarship presented to a player from each team at the conclusion of each of Saturday’s games.
Watching the games is easy for all interested spectators. Parking is available across the street from The Greenbrier’s main entrance in the Train Lot, and shuttles will transport spectators to and from The Greenbrier. Tickets are on sale now at Greenbrier.com/Springhouse at just $5 per contest. Tickets must be purchased for each game. Seating is limited, and games have sold out in past years. Spectators are encouraged to purchase their tickets in advance.
Tournament Schedule:
Friday, January 30:
9 a.m. – GameChanger Elementary School Presentation in Greenbrier Theatre
10 a.m. – GameChanger High School Presentation in Chesapeake Hall
2 p.m. – Morgantown vs. Parkersburg Girls
4 p.m. – Wyoming East vs. Bridgeport Boys
6 p.m. – James Monroe vs. Greenbrier East Boys
8 p.m. – Riverside vs. Greenbrier East Girls
Saturday, January 31:
1 p.m. – Girls Consolation Game
3 p.m. – Boys Consolation Game
5 p.m. – Boys Championship Game
7 p.m. – Girls Championship Game
Boys Division:
Bridgeport – The defending Class AAA state champions, the Indians are off to a 10-2 start and ranked No. 2 in Class AAA this season. Head coach Dave Marshall’s squad has picked up impressive wins over the likes of Fairmont Senior and University and are led by Ayron Dodd (15.3 ppg) and Anderson McDougal (15 ppg).
Greenbrier East – The Spartans are off to an impressive 8-3 start that includes signature wins over Shady Spring, Bridgeport and rival Woodrow Wilson. Nathan Dixon (17.7 ppg) and Brody Hamric (16.6 ppg) lead the scoring for head coach Jared Patton, who has his team ranked No. 6 in Class AAA.
James Monroe – The Mavericks are 8-3 and ranked No. 5 in Class AA. Their most impressive wins came over Princeton, Woodrow Wilson and Westside. Depth is a strength of head coach Kelly Mann’s squad, and they’re led in scoring by Kadyn Hines, Lane Taylor and Ryan Mann.
Wyoming East – Ranked No. 2 in Class AA, the Warriors are 10-1 on the year, the only loss a one-point setback to Shady Spring. Big wins include Woodrow Wilson, Bluefield, James Monroe and rival Westside. Leading the offensive attack for head coach Kent McBride are Keegan Davidson, Konnor Fox and Talan Muscari.
Girls Division:
Greenbrier East – Coached by United States Senator Jim Justice, the Lady Spartans are 14-0 and ranked No. 1 in Class AAA. They have already claimed wins over John Marshall, Nitro, Martinsburg and Woodrow Wilson and are led by dynamic guards Kennedy Stewart (18.4 ppg) and Ava Workman (17.9 ppg).
Morgantown – The No. 4 team in Class AAAA, the defending Class AAAA runners-up are off to a 10-3 start that includes wins over John Marshall, Nitro, Keyser and rival University. Head coach John Fowkes’ club is led by Maddie Ancell (15.1 ppg), Sydney Duesenberry (10.7 ppg) and Carper Messerly (10.7 ppg).
Parkersburg – The No. 3 team in Class AAAA, the Big Reds are 9-3 with signature wins over Morgantown, Hurricane and St. Albans. Head coach Christopher Murray’s club is led by Frances Guice (16.6 ppg), Kennedy Porter (14.9 ppg) and Lauren Flanagan (13.5 ppg).
Riverside – The Warriors are 6-8 on the year but have big wins over the likes of Oak Hill and Wayne. Head coach John Frisby has a talented roster, led by junior forward Ava Ward, who’s averaging a double-double with 15.2 points and 10.6 rebounds per game. Jada Ward isn’t far behind with 11.5 points and 10.1 boards per contest.
