In a moment that epitomizes the class that both coaches displayed throughout their coaching careers, former John Marshall girls’ basketball coach Stanley Blankenship met Williamstown girls basketball coach Fred Sauro prior to the Yellowjackets game on Saturday at Wheeling Central.
Earlier in the Week, Sauro surpassed Blankenship’s state record of 542 coaching wins when Williamstown defeated Chapmanville Regional High School. In a moment of class, sportsmanship and desire to win that both coaches displayed on the sidelines throughout their careers, Blankenship extended his congratulations to Coach Sauro.
Fred began his career at Hundred High School before moving on to Williamstown and has coached a total of 54 years including both boys and girls basketball. One of the highlights of his career came in 2003 when his Yellow Jackets captured the Class A state girls’ championship.
Blankenship coached his entire career at John Marshall High School where he led the Lady Monarchs to the 1982 girls State AAA Title. Over his career, Coach Blankenship coached more than thirty girls who went on to play a the NCAA Division I and II level. His coaching legacy continues as more than a dozen of his girls have gone on to coach basketball including Holly Pettit who has led Cameron High School to back to back Class A state titles.
But Blankenship’s interest in the game continues. Stanley currently coaches young middle school players at his beloved Moundsville Middle School.
