Published: May 11, 2008 02:18 am            

COLUMN: Polar Bears saving big celebration for later

FAIRMONT — While his teammates quickly huddled for a team photo after last week’s section-clinching victory over North Marion, Levi Pawich didn’t exactly jump at the chance.

No, the West Fairmont catcher doesn’t have some phobia about flash photography. He’d rather save the celebration, the big grins, the ‘we’re number one’ finger waving for something more meaningful.

“Let’s hold off on the pictures until we win the state title,” Pawich had shouted just minutes earlier.

While the request was laughed off and the photo eventually snapped, the junior’s feelings never wavered. The 24-5 Polar Bears have worked too hard — and have played too well for much of the year — to accept anything less.

“I think we’ve got a good shot at winning the state title,” Pawich said. “We’ve got eight seniors and some good juniors. We’ve all been working hard in the offseason and in-season.”

The thought of WVSSAC gold wasn’t spawned by having a glut of experience or past playoff success. Instead, it was due to the amount of offseason work put in, which included several Polar Bears making regular trips to Pro Performance Rx in Morgantown.

It paid quick dividends for junior Mike Ice and others followed suit.

“Mike wasn’t very athletic,” Pawich said. “(But seeing how he improved) kind of motivated everybody and we all started going.”

North coach Tom Myers, however, has his own theory regarding West’s consistent play.

“They work hard and they’ve been very successful in the lower levels,” Myers said after Wednesday’s 11-1, five-inning loss. “You know, look around. You have a Little League field right next to your high school field. Up in our end of the county, we’re spread out.

“They feed on it. They learn the fundamentals at an early age and they win. And that winning carries over to the high school level.”

We’ll see how far it carries West in 2008 soon enough.

Air Mayle

While he’s never had a problem gushing about the hitting skills of Allie Mayle, West softball coach Ken Beerbower shouldn’t miss her much.

The East standout homered in each of her final six games against the Polar Bears, the latest a first-inning blast in Thursday’s regional semifinal from, of all places, the leadoff spot.

Mayle, a West Virginia State recruit, has 33 career home runs, 13 this season.

E-mail Nick Cammuso at ncammuso@timeswv.com.

        

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