The Record Delta

FAIRMONT — Two Buckhannon-Upshur senior lacrosse Buccaneers were named to the inaugural West Virginia all-state lacrosse team.

Jim Bob Howes was selected as a second-team defenseman while teammate Dakota Davis received second-team mid-fielder honors.

The West Virginia Scholastic Lacrosse Association (WVSLA) held its end-of-season meeting in Fairmont. The initial season was discussed and areas in need of improvement were discussed.

Morgantown’s Mohigans and the Fairmont Senior Lady Polar Bears received congratulations on winning their respective classes in the first-ever official W.Va. lacrosse state championships. University was the runner-up in both boys’ and girls’ lacrosse.

The boys’ all-state team was dominated by the state champion Mohigans, who placed six on the first team and four on the second team. University High followed with five first-teamers and one second-team player. Fairmont Senior landed one on the first team and five on the second team, while Linsly placed one member on the first team and two on the second.

Rounding out the second team selections were Wheeling Central Catholic with one, Bridgeport with two and Buckhannon-Upshur with two.

George Washington, Wheeling Park and St. Albans were not represented on the all-state squad.

The Bucs finished their initial lacrosse season with a 1-7 record, and Howes and Davis each played a big role in the team’s success. Davis lead the team in scoring, assists and ground balls controlled. Howes was an anchor on the Buccaneer defense, making opponents’ offenses work hard and pay the price for entering the B-U half of the field.

The Bucs showed much improvement over the 2008 season and head coach Matt Gillespie is hopeful the 2008 season will put the Bucs ahead of new teams forming in the state.

The 2008 WVSLA boys’ all-state lacrosse team:

FIRST TEAM

Defensemen — Josh Burleson, Morgantown; Davis Bell, Morgantown; Josh Seese, University.

Midfield — Allik Holloway, Linsly; Nate Freeland, Fairmont Senior; Josh Dudley, University; Chris Arthurs, Morgantown.

Long Stick Middie — Caleb Hill, University.

Attack — Zach Coakley, University; Shawn Votuc, Morgantown; Ethan Schnell, Morgantown.

Goalie — Ed Torsney, Morgantown.

SECOND TEAM

Defensemen — Anthony Domico, Fairmont Senior; Josh Lectner, Linsly; Nate Petite, Morgantown; Jim Bob Howes, Buckhannon-Upshur.

Midfield — Zach Stall, Wheeling Central; Kris Lankford, University; Shane Piatt, Bridgeport; Louie Ramono, Fairmont Senior; Dakota Davis, Buckhannon-Upshur; Brad Cox, Fairmont Senior; Chaz Chase, Morgantown.

Long Stick Middie — Cole Petitte, Morgantown.

Attack — Chad Chervenie, Linsly; Vincent Ramono, Fairmont Senior; Lucas Hart, Morgantown; Mike Mullen, Bridgeport.

Goalie — Tyler Ross, Fairmont Senior.