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West Virginia basketball roster coming into shape after key decisions

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West Virginia basketball roster coming into shape after key decisions


West Virginia answered two of the biggest remaining questions on the basketball roster without adding a single new player into the equation.

That’s because the Mountaineers got the news that two of their key players in transfers Treysen Eaglestaff and Brenen Lorient were pulling out of the NBA Draft process.

It’s not necessarily a major surprise considering that it was the likely outcome all along but it solidifies what head coach Ross Hodge has been able to put together to date.

Eaglestaff was one of the more highly recruited players added to the roster after coming off a standout season at North Dakota. There he averaged 18.9 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game while shooting 41.6-percent from the field and 35.9-percent from three.

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The North Dakota native initially committed to South Carolina after entering the transfer portal but had a number of high-level options after opening things up, including BYU, Gonzaga and several others before taking an official visit to Morgantown and picking the Mountaineers.

Eaglestaff is expected to be a major piece to the roster build and with one year left will have the opportunity to showcase what he can do within the Big 12 Conference. He has the ability to be used on or off the ball and is going to be counted on to put the ball in the basket.

Lorient was another major building block for Hodge and company, considering the success that he had during last season at North Texas. The forward blossomed for the Mean Green last seaso,n earning American Athletic Conference first-team all-league and Sixth Man of the Year honors.

Lorient averaged 11.8 points, 4.9 rebounds and over 1.1 blocks per game across 24.8 minutes per game. He shot 57-percent from the field and 47.8-percent from three on 23 attempts. He entered the transfer portal shortly after Hodge left the program with a no-contact tag and elected to follow him to Morgantown while exploring the NBA Draft process.

Now, Lorient will look to make the most of his final season at West Virginia by giving the program an athletic forward at the four spot who has the possibility to expand his game even further.

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With those two major building blocks now solidly in the fold, West Virginia has ten roster spots accounted for heading into the season but still will look to put the finishing touches on the group. The Mountaineers are still searching for at least another big man as well as at least one guard and perhaps another wing that can put pressure on the basket at a minimum.

It’s a complete roster rebuild for basically the second consecutive year, but the pieces are now officially sliding into place for Hodge and company to make the most of it.



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West Virginia

West Virginia Returns Home to Face Maryland in Midweek Clash

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West Virginia Returns Home to Face Maryland in Midweek Clash


The West Virginia Mountaineers (10-3) welcome the Maryland Terrapins (10-5) to Kendrick Family Ballpark Tuesday afternoon the first encounter between the two programs since 2023 and the first meeting in Morgantown since 2018. The first pitch is set for 2:00 p.m. EST and the action will stream on ESPN+.

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The Mountaineers captured their fourth consecutive series of the season after taking two of the three games from Columbia over the weekend. West Virginia sophomore Matt Ineich and senior Brodie Kresser both blasted grand slams during the series. Ineich lifted WVU in game two with a walk-off grand slam in the 10th in game two, and Kresser ignited a 16-1 rout, capping a six-run second inning in the series finale.  

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Gavin Kelly leads West Virginia at the plate with a .436 batting average with a Big 12 leading nine doubles. Ineich and senior Paul Schoenfeld has raked in a team-leading 16 RBI apiece, while senior Matthew Graveline has clubbed a team-high three home runs.

On the mound, West Virginia is expected to start sophomore David Hagen. The right-hander has made four appearances on the season, including one start. He last started in the home-opener against Ohio where he pitched two scoreless innings and recorded a strikeout to collect his first win of the season. He holds a 1.00 ERA with five strikeouts on the season.

After starting 3-4, Maryland is 7-1 in its last eight games. The Terrapins won two of three at UNC Wilmington in the season opening series, followed by a midweek win against Georgetown before getting swept at Louisiana. The Terps bounced back with a pair of midweek wins versus Delaware and swept a one-win Wagner team.

Junior Brayden Martin is batting a team-best .443 to go with four doubles and 12 RBI. Redshirt freshman Ryan Costello leads the Terps in home runs (9) and RBI (21) and is third in batting average at .328, while freshman Ty Kaunus has a team-high seven doubles and has .269 batting average.

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Maryland is scheduled to start freshman Nic Morlang. The right-hander has four appearances on the season, including four starts. He allowed five earned runs in his appearances, coinciding with his two starts, in six innings of work. In his last two appearances in relief, He’s allowed one earned run on five hits.

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West Virginia leads the all-time series 8-5, including a five-game winning streak over Maryland.



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Citations issued after big party weekend in Morgantown – WV MetroNews

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Citations issued after big party weekend in Morgantown – WV MetroNews


MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Multiple law enforcement agencies responded to a series of parties in Morgantown over the weekend.

Morgantown police officers, West Virginia University Police and state police responded to reports of overcrowded parties, underage drinking, physical altercations and multiple injuries.

Morgantown Communications Director Brad Riffie said several citations were issued for open containers and underage consumption.

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Two large parties were dispersed and six arrests were made without incident.

None of the reported injuries are believed to be serious or life-threatening.

The Morgantown Fire Department assisted in the operations.

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Weir High senior Hailey Hans named 2026 West Virginia student journalist of the year

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Weir High senior Hailey Hans named 2026 West Virginia student journalist of the year


A Weir High School senior has been recognized as the 2026 West Virginia Student Journalist of the Year.

Hailey Hans was selected for the statewide honor after building a journalism portfolio since her freshman year. She also serves as the staff manager of Weir Student Media, where she oversees articles and is in charge of deadlines.

“When I was a freshman I was placed in the journalism one class, and I actually tried to get pulled from the class. But, then after I sat in the class and I learned a little bit, that’s where my love grew and then from there I continued to take classes, I helped pass a law, and I got to these national conventions. Where it just lit a fire inside me,” Hans said.

Hans is planning to attend West Liberty University in the fall to study education with a minor in journalism, with the goal of becoming a journalism teacher. She will now submit her portfolio for the national-level contest.

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