Glenhayes, W. V. — On an emotional day for the Tolsia Lady Rebel basketball program they picked up win number one with a 47-34 victory over Chapmanville Thursday evening at Rebel Arena.
Longtime assistant Ernie Richardson will be missed at Tolsia High School. His funeral was the same day as the Lady Rebel basketball game.
Longtime assistant Ernie Richardson was laid to rest earlier in the day and after a sluggish start the Lady Rebels pulled away for the double digit win.
Jacey Crum swings the ball to the corner for an assist.
Senior Jacey Crum scored 11 second half points after going scoreless in the first half, Olivia Junior Kelly also scored 11 points to lead the victors, Sophomore Piper Pack added 8 points, Sophomores Kalynn Salmons and Carly Johnson had 5 points each, Senior Kilee Preece netted 4 points, Greenlee Vance had 3 points.
Olivia Kelly knocks down a late free throw for the Lady Rebels.
Tolsia hit 3 three pointers and went 5 of 9 from the free throw line.
Chapmanville was led by Megan Brown with 15 points, Kendra Ingram added 10 points, Hannah Miller had 4 points, Peyton Ellis had 3 points and Izzy Kirk had 2 points.
The Tigers hit 4 three pointers and went 7 of 14 from the free throw line.
CHS 4 11 12 7 – 34
THS 4 10 19 14 – 47
Piper Pack brings the ball up the court in the home opener on Thursday.
Tolsia will host the defending Class 3A state champion Wayne Pioneers on Tuesday at Rebel Arena.
Tolsia Head Coach Ric Morrone
COACH’S COMMENTS
“…What a day from the funeral for my longtime friend and then getting the win tonight it’s been a roller coaster of emotions. Ernie would have been happy for the girls and boy are they resilient. It was a great crowd, student section as well and it made a difference in the game.”
“… I thought we really turned up the defense in the second half and got some easy baskets. Always good to win at home, really tough schedule for us to begin the season so getting the win tonight was big for us. Sad day but a great ending because of what Ernie meant to our program.”
Ernest Ray Richardson Obituary
Ernest Ray Richardson, 66, of Crum Wv, went home to be with the Lord on December 7th, 2025 at Three Rivers Hospital in Louisa, Ky. He was born on November 27th, 1959 to the late Ernest Clyde and Marie (Maynard) Richardson in Louisa, Ky.
He is preceded in death by his parents and 2 sisters Peggy Marcum and Julie Richardson.
He was a veteran of the United States Army, and after serving our country he earned a master’s degree from Marshall University. He was a teacher, administrator, a coach at Wayne Co. Board of Education. He was a member of the Silver Creek Church in Crum.
He is survived by his loving wife Carla (Prince) Richardson of 45 years, son Dylan Ray Richardson, 2 brothers Clyde (Melissa) Richardson, William Richardson, as well as numerous nephews and nieces as well as a host of family and friends
Visitation will be on Wed. Dec. 10th, 2025, from 5pm until 8pm. Funeral will be on Thursday Dec. 11th, 2025, at 12 pm at the Mullins Family Funeral Home. Earl Luke Prince Officiating, Burial will be at the Prince Family Cemetery in Prichard, Wv. The family is requesting in lieu of flowers donate to the Tolsia High School c/o girls basketball #1 Rebel Drive Fort Gay, Wv 25514. Mullins Family Funeral Home is privileged and honored to be serving the family of Ernest Richardson.
