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Ruth named MHS girls’ hoops coach

Allen Ruth will be donning orange and black on the hardwood sideline next winter instead of red and white.

The former Parkersburg High boys’ basketball assistant has been named Marietta High’s new varsity girls’ hoops coach.

“The position came open, and I just applied for it,” said the 43-year Ruth, who resides with his wife (Elizabeth) and two daughters (Mary and Annie) in Devola.

Ruth will be succeeding 56-year-old Mark Hannuksela, whose basketball contract was not renewed after last season. The first-year MHS boss will become the Tiger girls’ basketball program’s 13th head man since the inaugural 1972-73 season.

Ruth said that he’s already assembled his staff, which will include Gary Tucker and Shawna McKnight.

“Steve Hill has also been helping out with strength and conditioning,” Ruth said.

A 1991 Parkersburg Catholic graduate, Ruth played his prep basketball under Jeff Mennillo, now the head coach at Parkersburg High.

After high school graduation, Ruth played collegiately at Waynesburg (Pa.) University.

Ross said that he’d also coached at PCHS and been an assistant for Mennillo for the last seven years at PHS.

During past summers, Ruth and his wife Elizabeth Tokodi-Ruth have conducted a basketball camp for youngsters at St. Mary Catholic School in Marietta.

He’s also been “heavily involved” with the West Virginia Thunder AAU girls basketball team.

Marietta High was a combined 11-35 in its last two winters on the basketball floor.

The Tigers graduated four players from last season’s squad.

MHS is expected to have several experienced players returning, including Caleigh Doan, Bailey Hogue, and Audrey Smith to name but a few.

“I’ve really been impressed by the senior leadership,” Ruth said. “They’re very upbeat.

“There’s a lot of talent at Marietta High School, and a lot of talent coming up,” the coach added.

When not coaching, Ruth is employed at Brand Energy Services

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