All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

Carpenter Crunch Time Week 9: Do B-U and WVWC get wins this week?

BUCKHANNON – West Virginia fans seem very fickle. First they wanted Rich Rodriguez back, then they moved on to wanting Jimbo Fisher as the head coach. Now, behind the pushing of a website I won’t mention, a buzz around Nick Saban coming back has picked up steam has Mountaineer fans dreaming the dream.

While I haven’t been on the Neal Brown hate train like many of you, after watching the last two weeks with home losses to Iowa State and Kansas State, in my mind it may finally be the time for Neal to move on. If Neal is let go, expect a complete turnover of the roster. A rebuild will take a couple to a few years for whoever takes the job.

But it isn’t going to be any of those three. Pay attention to how WVU does things. For better or worse, I guarantee you the new hire will be another Neal Brown, a young coach from a G5 team. If you think otherwise, you simply aren’t paying attention.

Honestly, I am not even sure WVU looks to get rid of Brown at the end of the year. Take a look at his buyout clause and tell me that they are going to pay that?

Now onto the important stuff, the My Buckhannon standings, which look like this

Name   Week   Overall
Duane   4-3        44-12
Brian      3-4        43-13
Katie      4-3        35-21
Monica 5-2        34-22

It wasn’t a great week for the four of as Monica won the week at 5-2 while Katie and I both went 4-3 and Brian finished 3-4. That allowed me to take a one game lead over Brian with a 44-12 mark while Brian is 43-13. Katie remains in third at 35-21 while Monica is still fourth at 34-22.

We had several readers go 5-2 for our top spot, but it was JEREMY HARSH who won the tiebreaker of the WVU-K-State game with 61 points (Total points were 63). Congrats to Jeremy for winning. Remember, you have until Friday at 7 p.m. to get your picks in. Click here for this week’s games.

One note on this week, we will have to toss the RCB-Morgantown game as it was listed wrong. RCB plays North Marion, our apologies for the mistake.

Now, onto our games:

Grafton (2-5) at Buckhannon-Upshur (0-8)

Wow, the Bucs were so close last week against Oak Hill. This could be a three-hour game with Grafton as both teams like to throw the ball. Grafton changed their perception last week, putting 64 points on the scoreboard against Clay County. I see the Bucs getting their first win Friday.

Duane: Buckhannon-Upshur: Brian: Buckhannon-Upshur: Katie: Buckhannon-Upshur; Monica: Grafton

Lewis County (4-3) at Philip Barbour (5-2)

A key game as both teams look to secure a first-round home playoff game. The Minutemen are 11th in Class AAA after a big win over North Marion while the Colts are fifth in Class AA. I think this will be a close one, but I am going with the Colts.

Duane: Philip Barbour: Brian: Philip Barbour; Katie: Philip Barbour; Monica: Lewis County

Concord (0-7) at West Virginia Wesleyan (0-7)

Here it is Wesleyan, the game to end the losing streak against winless Concord. Go grab it!

Duane: Concord; Brian: West Virginia Wesleyan; Katie: Concord; Monica: Concord

The Final Four:

Preston (2-5) at University (3-4)

Duane: University; Brian: University; Katie: University; Monica: University

Robert C. Byrd (3-5) at North Marion (5-2)

Duane: North Marion; Brian: North Marion; Katie: North Marion; Monica: Robert C. Byrd

Oklahoma (4-3) at Ole Miss (5-2)

Duane: Ole Miss; Brian: Ole Miss; Katie: Oklahoma; Monica: Ole Miss

West Virginia (3-4)  at Arizona (3-4)

Duane: Arizona; Brian: West Virginia; Katie: West Virginia; Monica: Arizona

Share this story:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

Mountain CAP to host free workshop for dads in January

Mountain CAP Family Support Center is hosting a free Key Behaviors Workshop for dads and male caregivers on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Buckhannon.

The Thread Lab opens Main Street storefront in Buckhannon for custom embroidery and apparel

The Thread Lab has opened a Main Street storefront in Buckhannon, giving customers an easier way to shop and order custom embroidered and personalized apparel. General manager Ashley Marple said a grand opening is planned after the holidays.

WVU doctors warn of whooping cough surge in West Virginia, highest in 15 years

West Virginia is experiencing its highest number of whooping cough cases since 2010, with WVU doctors warning about symptoms and risks. Untreated, the infection can linger for months.

Thomas “Tom” Jesse Riley

Thomas “Tom” Jesse Riley, 71, of Buckhannon, WV, a longtime trucker and owner of Riley Trucking and Repair, died December 19, 2025, and is survived by his wife Mary Ann, five children, grandchildren and siblings.

Michele Lynn Mellon

Michele Lynn Mellon, 78, of Buckhannon, West Virginia, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and Hallmark employee who loved faith, family and handwritten cards, died peacefully at home after an injury and subsequent stroke.

Leadership Upshur selects Appalachian Impact’s new interactive children’s museum on Main Street for its volunteer service project

Leadership Upshur is dedicating its volunteer service project to Appalachian Impact, helping prepare the group’s new Main Street children’s museum. The team plans to provide hands-on labor, raise funds for supplies and recruit business sponsors for interactive exhibits.

A small light can overcome great darkness: Buckhannon marks Hanukkah with menorah lighting ceremony

More than 100 people gathered Wednesday evening for a Hanukkah menorah lighting ceremony, with Mayor Robbie Skinner and organizer Daya Wright highlighting faith and perseverance. The night ended with the menorah lit in Jawbone Park, plus donuts, hot cider and dreidels.

Flame Detailing opens in Buckhannon just in time for winter salt season

Flame Detailing is officially open in Buckhannon, with owners Shane Jenkins and Blake Rasnake celebrating with a ribbon cutting Friday. The shop offers everything from quick hand washes to full details with ceramic coating to help protect vehicles this winter.

Shannon Danielle Marteney McDaniels

Shannon Danielle Marteney McDaniels, 55, of Buckhannon, died December 17, 2025, and is survived by her husband Brian McDaniels, mother Linda Rohr Marteney, three children, a granddaughter, close friend Maranda Marin, and her dogs, with a celebration of life set for December 27.