Hoops Across the Mountain State

Taylor Kennedy
  • 5.0 (5)
  • BASKETBALL
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Hoops Across the Mountain State unlocks different basketball stories across the great state of West Virginia. Taylor Kennedy, the host, interviews older and younger basketball personalities from WV. Come along on this journey as we unpack the rich history of basketball within the Mountain State! Follow Taylor on Twitter: @Taylor_Kennedy7

  1. 04/26/2023

    Hoops Across the Mountain State - Episode 145 Boy's Basketball Roundtable Edition

    We heard from three girl's basketball coaches last week. However, let's flip the script, what do a few boy's basketball coaches think about various topics surrounding the sport they love? Hunter Moles, the Charleston Catholic boy's head basketball coach, Michael Jebbia, the Wheeling Park boy's head basketball coach, and Ronnie Olson, the Shady Spring boy's head basketball coach, join Taylor Kennedy, @Taylor_Kennedy7 on Twitter. They discussed building a program, loyalty, the new transfer rule, the four class system, and much more! Subscribe to the podcast wherever you find yours, including YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. Follow Taylor on Twitter: @Taylor_Kennedy7

    1h 31m

  2. 04/19/2023

    Hoops Across the Mountain State - Episode 144 Girl's Roundtable Edition

    There has been a lot of news revolving around high school athletics in West Virginia, especially in girl's and boy's basketball. The constant news regards what is going on in the high school transfer portal and the four-class system. What are coaches thinking and saying about those topics, among many others? What changes need to occur? Jamie LaMaster, long-time George Washington girl's head basketball coach, John Kennedy, the Ripley Vikings girl's head basketball coach, and Pat Jones, the Nitro Wildcats girl's head basketball coach, join Taylor Kennedy, @Taylor_Kennedy7 on Twitter, for the inaugural girl's basketball roundtable. Among the other topics that were discussed, one that remains a consistent thought with Taylor is, "Is girl's basketball in West Virginia having a moment?" Subscribe to the podcast wherever you find yours, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Follow Taylor on Twitter - @Taylor_Kennedy7

    1h 22m

  3. 04/05/2023

    Hoops Across the Mountain State - Episode 143 with Bernie Dolan

    We kick off our summer interview series with an interview with the executive director of the WVSSAC, Bernie Dolan. Bernie has been the executive director of the WVSSAC since 2016. He joined us last year to discuss ongoing topics in high school athletics. Well, there is more to discuss this year. Bernie joins Taylor Kennedy, @Taylor_Kennedy7 on Twitter, to discuss many topics, including the high school transfer portal, reclassification, the state tournament, and more! Follow Taylor on Twitter @Taylor_Kennedy7 Subscribe to the podcast wherever you get yours, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Who do you want to hear from this summer?

    1h 30m

  4. 03/22/2023

    Hoops Across the Mountain State - Episode 142 The State Tournament Recap

    The 2022-23 West Virginia High School Basketball season is officially over. Eight champions were crowned over two weekends at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center. Taylor Kennedy, @Taylor_Kennedy7 on Twitter, was joined by four student-athletes representing their respective class. Taylor was joined by Brody Davis, a Morgantown shooting guard, Emma Freels, a junior guard at North Marion, Sal Dean, a senior guard for Chapmanville, and Ashlynn Van Tassel, a forward for Cameron. Much was discussed, including what made each state's title runs special, what each title meant for their respective communities, and more. The summer interview series is right around the corner! Who would you want to hear from this summer? Subscribe to the podcast wherever you find your podcasts, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Follow Taylor Kennedy on Twitter: @Taylor_Kennedy7

    1h 17m

  5. 03/14/2023

    Hoops Across the Mountain State - Episode 141 The Boys State Tournament Edition

    Here we are... the final week of the 2022-23 high school basketball season in West Virginia. There are 32 teams remaining, but there can only be four crowned champions. Taylor Kennedy, the host & @Taylor_Kennedy7 on Twitter, gets you geared up for this week's boy's high school basketball tournament at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center. Taylor is joined by Josh Daniel, the South Charleston Black Eagles boy's head coach, Ronnie Olson, the Shady Spring Tigers boy's head coach, Mick Price, the Ravenswood Red Devils boy's head coach, and Billy Zuspan, the Wahama White Falcons boy's head coach. Below are the time stamps for each of the following coaches: 0:00-19:27 - Josh Daniel (South Charleston) 19:29-42:44 - Ronnie Olson (Shady Spring) 42:46-1:04:40 - Mick Price (Ravenswood) 1:04:42-1:24:21 - Billy Zuspan (Wahama) Subscribe to the podcast wherever you get your podcasts, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Follow Taylor on Twitter: @Taylor_Kennedy7

    1h 24m

  6. 03/10/2023

    Hoops Across the Mountain State - Episode 140 with Amrit Rayfield and Ty Holmes

    We are on day four of the girl's state high school basketball tournament in Charleston. However, the boys' regional play concluded last night, and we have our schedule and seeding for each of the four classes. A few teams are back in the state tournament for the first time in A LONG TIME. Amrit Rayfield, the Elkins Tigers boy's head basketball coach, and Ty Holmes, the Huntington Highlanders boy's head basketball coach, join the program. Coach Rayfield and the Tigers are back in state tournament for the first time since 2000. What is different about this year's team? What does making the state tournament mean for Elkins? How did the Tigers' difficult schedule prepare them for the postseason? Coach Holmes discusses his team's success by entering the state tournament as the No. 5 seed in Class AAAA. Who has stepped up for him? How important was the second half of the season for Huntington? Follow Taylor Kennedy, the host, on Twitter - @Taylor_Kennedy7

    38 min

  7. 03/07/2023

    Hoops Across the Mountain State - Episode 139 The Girl's State Tournament Preview

    It is crazy to think we are at the state tournament portion of the girls' high school basketball season. 32 teams remaining across all four classes, and this week should provide for stellar competition and individual plus team performances. Taylor Kennedy, @Taylor_Kennedy7 on Twitter, prepares you for an action-packed week. Four girls' coaches join Taylor on today's episode. In the first segment, the Spring Valley head coach Larry Bo Miller stops by to chat about his team. What does it mean for this year's Timberwolves team to make the state tournament? What is different about SV since the first game? In the second segment, the veteran North Marion girl's head coach, Mike Parrish, joins Taylor. He discusses his team's success lately, as the Huskies have made the state tournament in 14 of the last 16 seasons. He also previews North Marions' first-round matchup against Hampshire. Roberta Olejasz, the Wheeling Central girl's head coach, joins the third segment to discuss her squad's 4 vs 5 matchup against Charleston Catholic. How will the Maroon Knights slow down the Irish? What has impressed Coach Olejasz throughout this season? Dave Helmick, the Tucker County Mountain Lions head coach, rounds out the podcast by discussing Tucker County's success as the Mountain Lions have made the state tournament for the 19th consecutive season. How much of a difference has Kadie Colebank made to this year's team, and where is she different this season? Subscribe to the podcast wherever you get yours, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Follow Taylor on Twitter: @Taylor_Kennedy7

    1h 1m

  8. 02/24/2023

    Hoops Across the Mountain State - Episode 138 with Mel Stephens and Chad Meador

    It is crazy to think that the girls' sectional play and the boys' regular season are almost over! However, that only means the state tournaments are right around the corner! Mel Stephens, Veteran Boy's Head Basketball Coach at Wheeling Central, stops by to discuss his team's youth and how they have dealt with different battle scars this season. He also gives his opinion on SB 262, the one-time transfer bill. Also, how has he seen West Virginia high school basketball evolve into what it is today? Chad Meador, the Summer County Girl's Head Basketball coach, joins the program to discuss his team's success this season. The Lady Bobcats will compete in their sectional final this evening. Who has stepped up for Summers County to get the team to where it is today? How has basketball changed over the year's down in the southern coalfields? Follow Taylor on Twitter: @Taylor_Kennedy7 Subscribe to the podcast wherever you get your podcast, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

    37 min
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About

Hoops Across the Mountain State unlocks different basketball stories across the great state of West Virginia. Taylor Kennedy, the host, interviews older and younger basketball personalities from WV. Come along on this journey as we unpack the rich history of basketball within the Mountain State! Follow Taylor on Twitter: @Taylor_Kennedy7

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