WHEELING AREA LACROSSE ASSOCIATION
WALA

Ohio County Phantoms

Home Field:
Triadelphia Middle School

Phantoms Celebrate 2012 Season
The Ohio County Phantoms youth lacrosse team recently celebrated the conclusion if its 2012 season at a picnic held for the players at Oglebay Park. In just its second year of existence, the Phantoms fielded two competitive squads of middle school aged players this year, both under the direction of Head Coach Chuck Scatterday.

The varsity squad, made up of more experienced players, compiled a record of 9-5, while the rookie squad, mostly first-year players, were 5-3-1. Both age groups expanded their play in 2012 by joining the Western Pennsylvania Youth Lacrosse Association (WPYLA) allowing them them to play against more the seasoned teams in the Pittsburgh area. The Phantoms were up to the challenge and finished 3-1 in WPYLA play.

Boasting 48 players on the roster, the program's growth and team successes were highlighted at the picnic, along with individual player achievements. Fifth grader Spencer Abraham was honored with the Ground Ball "Hog" Award by leading all the Phantoms with 56 ground balls. Patrick Hurley, an eighth grader, was announced as the "Wingman" Award winner for most assists in the season with 23. The defensive "Brick Wall" Award went to eighth grader Noah Clune, as he helped force nearly 20 turnovers over the season. The team's "Spirit of the Game" Award went to eighth grader Colby Round who best exemplified all the lacrosse represents. The Most Improved Players of the Year Award went to Spencer Abraham and seventh grader Scotty Meaige. Both players received a gift card from Play It Again Sports to honor their performance on the field.

Coach Scatterday said he was pleased with his players’ performance this year. “Since starting the Phantom organization in 2010, the main goal has been aimed at introducing the fastest game on two feet to Wheeling,” he said. “All three high schools in Wheeling have lacrosse teams so it’s been a natural fit to start a youth program introducing the basic skills needed to enjoy and play the game well.” Phantom players represented 10 middle schools located throughout the Ohio Valley, as well as home-schooled students.

In spring 2012, Scatterday also established the Lady Phantoms, a new youth girls’ lacrosse team, launched under Head Coach Megan Dent-Carmen. The Lady Phantoms will begin their competitive game schedule in 2013. Scatterday also plans to add a team for elementary school-aged players to next year’s Phantom line-up. The team will be known as the Gremlins.

The success of the Phantoms program has been recognized by those outside the Ohio Valley. At a recent awards banquet held by the Pittsburgh Lacrosse Foundation in Wexford, PA, two Phantoms youth players were named recipients of the WPLYA’s “Spirit of the Game Award.” Eighth grader Patrick Hurley, a student at St. Michael Parish School, and seventh grader Drew Scatterday, of Triadelphia Middle School, received the award for “best embodying the characteristics that the U.S. Lacrosse Association promotes: good character, good sportsmanship, commitment, teamwork and love of the game.”

“These two players have all the qualities of outstanding lacrosse players as well as good young people,” Scatterday said.

Special accolades have also been extended to Coach Scatterday for spearheading the youth lacrosse program in Wheeling. At the Phantoms picnic, Wheeling Park High School lacrosse coach Joey Susbasic re-presented Scatterday with West Virginia’s 2012 U.S. Lacrosse Man of Year award, voted upon by all boys lacrosse coaches in the West Virginia Scholastic Lacrosse Association (WVSLA). The award honors those individuals whose dedication, commitment, and support of the game and its ideals extend beyond his/her specific team. Coach Scatterday's son, Seth, had accepted the award for his father when it was originally presented during the awards ceremony at the WVSLA Championships. Scatterday was not able to attend due to work commitments.

“This is a real honor to have my peers unanimously identify me as someone who wants to see the sports of lacrosse succeed and grow in the Mountain State,” Scatterday said upon hearing the news.

The Phantoms formed in 2010 as a middle school lacrosse team for the youth of Wheeling, WV. The Phantoms play local teams in West Virginia, Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio.

Feb. 21, 2012 - 6:00 -7:30 PM
Parent & Athlete Meeting at Generations

MORGANTOWN - Dec. 9, 2011 - The Fairmont Freeze edged out the Ohio County Phantoms 9-8 last weekend in a 7v7 middle school tournament sponsored by Sporting Elite at Pro Performance near Morgantown. The University Hawks & Bridgeport Talons were also in the tournament.