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Sports Talk: Cozzens to be missed

Little did anyone know at the time that after Marietta High’s 49-43 loss to Miami Trace in a district semifinal girls’ basketball game at Southeastern High on Feb. 21, it would be the last hurrah in the orange and black for not only the seniors but also for a couple of the coaches.

First, MHS assistant Terry Wallis has since moved over to the boys’ basketball side, and will be assisting first-year head man Mark Duckworth this upcoming winter.

Then, four-year Lady Tiger boss Scott Cozzens has recently decided not to return to the helm this winter.

“I’m stepping down because of family matters,” said the 51-year-old Cozzens, whose wife of 28 years is Shawna. The couple have raised three daughters – Kristin, Kaitlyn and Anna – on a farm in Vincent.

“I have one child on the west coast, my second in college, and one at home,” continued Cozzens.”Our family has always been close and it would not be fair to the program if I took days off to visit especially during the holidays.”

Marietta is going to miss Cozzens and his enthusiasm.

In four years, Cozzens guided the MHS girls to a sterling 74-22 overall record. During that time, the Lady Tiger cagers claimed four sectional, three league, and two district championships.

” I had great kids who were willing to work hard and buy into what we were trying to accomplish,” Cozzens said. “We had a lot of success during my stay at Marietta.

“I will miss the players and other coaches but I have been involved at the varsity level for over 15 years and it just comes a time when you have to say good-bye.”

A 1980 Belpre graduate, who went on to attend Fairmont State and Ohio University, Cozzens succeeded Tom Wildt after the 2008-09 campaign.

“I am grateful to Rick (Guimond, (MHS athletic director) and Bill (Lee, principal) for giving me the opportunity,” Cozzens said. “They took a chance on someone and I will always be thankful.”

Marietta graduated some good ones from last season’s squad, including all-everything Erica Dawson, Lexi Walsh, Luisa Barton, Kristin Hill, Haley Bonar, and Kaitlyn Cozzens.

But the Lady Tiger team has some good people expected back in Lain Weppler, Taylor Smith, Starr Johnson, and Alle Moore to name but a few.

“I am very happy where the program is at this point in time,” Scott Cozzens said. “I will now become the biggest Lady Tiger fan they have.”

Ron Johnston is the Marietta Times sports editor, and can be reached at 376-5441, or at rjohnston@mariettatimes.com

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