Right photo: Attending Bobbie Jo McNabb’s official signing with Garrett College were, seated, from left: Rosemary McNabb, Bobbie Jo McNabb and Rob McNabb. Standing, from left: assistant girls coach Phillip Anderson, PCHS principal Robert Miller, girls coach Mike Kane, statistician Bruce McKean and Garrett College girls basketball coach Bogie Boggess. S. Stewart photo
Suzanne Stewart
Staff Writer
Pocahontas County High School seniors Tristin Day and Bobbie Jo McNabb have been basketball teammates for eight years, beginning as fourth graders at Green Bank Elementary-Middle School.
In an interesting turn of events, both girls have signed letters of intent to play basketball at Garrett College in McHenry, Maryland.
In addition to playing together for eight years, the girls have been fortunate to have the same coach for six of those years – coach Mike Kane. Kane was the girls coach at GBEMS before he moved up to the PCHS for the 2012-2013 school year.
Having the extra years coaching the girls, Kane said he saw potential in both of them to move on to bigger and better things.
“You could see they both had potential and they worked hard, and made themselves better ball players,” he said. “That makes a difference. If you work hard, love the game and like to play, it makes it a whole lot easier.”
Knowing the girls hoped to continue playing in college, Kane helped them find a place that was just right. It just so happened, Garrett College was right for both of them.
“I think it’s been a dream of both of them to go to the next level since they’ve been in fourth grade,” he said. “Just to see that happen – to go to college to play – it makes me happy, too. I think Garrett College has something to offer to them. It’s a two year college and they’ll get to play both years. I think it will help them get their feet on solid ground.”
Once she visited the college, McNabb said she knew it was the right place for her.
“I did a workout and met some of the girls, and they were really nice,” she said. “It was really pretty up there, too. I really liked it.”
Although she wasn’t sure at first if she wanted to play college basketball, her love for the game helped her make the decision.
“I knew if I didn’t do it, I’d probably miss it,” she said.
The daughter of Rob and Rosemary McNabb, of Marlinton, Bobbie Jo plans to become a medical assistant.
Unlike McNabb, Day said she knew from the beginning that she wanted to continue her basketball career after high school.
“I have always wanted to play basketball in college,” she said. “The coach contacted me, wanting me to play for him [at Garrett College]. I went and visited the campus, and I really liked the facility.”
Day is the daughter of Melissa and Lloyd Reed, of Dunmore.
The girls will play for Coach Bogie Boggess, a Webster County native, who is entering his third year as the women’s head coach at Garrett College.
Suzanne Stewart may be contacted at sastewart@pocahontastimes.com
