Coalfield Conference awards Pocahontas athletes and coach

Beckley, WV – The staff of the Coalfield Conference honored outstanding athletes and coaches during its annual awards ceremony at the Tamarck in Beckley on May 15. Two athletes and one coach from Pocahontas County High School received prestigious awards.

For the first time in the 18-year history of the Coalfield Conference, a PCHS athlete received the Impact Player of the Year award. It should come as no surprise that Chloe Bland received the honor for 2012, and any other decision by the conference would have resulted in a riot in Pocahontas County.

In addition to a shelf full of other awards, Bland made the all-state basketball first team in 2011 and 2012 and the all-state second team in 2009. She holds the all-time basketball scoring record at PCHS with 1,408 points and the career rebounding record with 830 boards. Bland excelled in volleyball, making the all-state second team in 2011 and honorable mention in 2010.

In addition to Female Impact Player of the Year, Bland received the Female Athlete of the Year for Pocahontas High. Bland is the president of her senior class and co-Salutatorian. She received a presidential scholarship at West Virginia Wesleyan College and will play basketball for the most fortunate Lady Bobcats.

PCHS senior Curtis Pyles received the male Athlete of the Year award for PCHS. Pyles played soccer, golf, basketball and track at Pocahontas High and was a member of the state champion 4×4 relay team in 2011. In soccer, Pyles was selected for the all-conference first team; North-South senior team and received all-state honorable mention. The all-conference golfer will be attending Fairmont State University, where he will study physical education and run cross-country. That should save a lot on gas for trips home.

The conference staff named Pocahontas golf coach Phillip Anderson the Class A Golf Coach of the Year. This fall, Anderson’s golf team tore up the links and finished seventh overall in the state tournament. Anderson is a PCHS graduate and has been instrumental in assisting many of the sports programs at his alma mater.

Thanks to Ruth Bland for this report from the Coalfield Conference awards ceremony and congratulations to the Warrior awardees!