Blog / In the Community

March Madness Memories

As Championship Week begins and Selection Sunday and the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament approaches, I can’t help but think back to my time as a WVU Cheerleader during postseason action in March. In 2006, being only a freshman, I didn’t have the opportunity to travel to any of the postseason tournaments, but I definitely remember them. At our first game in the Big East tournament, we suffered an always heartbreaking loss to the University of Pittsburgh in the quarterfinals ending our run at the Big East Title. We went on to be the #6 seed in the Atlanta Regional and defeated Southern Illinois and Northwestern State to advance to the Sweet Sixteen to face the #2 seed Texas Longhorns. I remember a group of my friends cramming into a small dorm room in Summit Hall to watch the game. We were at the edge of our seats as we watched Kevin Pittsnogle sink a 3-point shot to tie the game 71-71 with six seconds left in regulation but the Longhorns made an impressive 3-point shot at the buzzer to win the game 74-71. The following season was thought to be a rebuilding year after losing Mountaineer favorites like Kevin Pittsnogle and Mike Gansey, to name a few. However, we managed to pull off a 19-6 regular season record. After losing in the second round of the Big East Tournament in double overtime to Louisville, I remember the disappointment when the Mountaineers failed to be selected for the NCAA Tournament and we would settle for the #1 seed in the NIT. After defeating Delaware State, UMass and NC State, we would be making the trip to NYC for the NIT semifinals, and I was going! To say I was excited to cheer on the Mountaineers at Madison Square Garden would be an understatement. Darris Nichols kept the Mountaineers alive as he hit a game winning 3 point shot against Mississippi State which would lead us to the NIT Championship game vs Clemson. We went on to beat Clemson 78-72 and were crowned the NIT Champions for the second time in school history. As the 2007-2008 season rolled around, I was excited to see what was in store for the Mountaineers as Coach Bob Huggins took over as head coach. The regular season came and went and we were back at Madison Square Garden for the always exciting Big East Tourney. We posted a 58-53 victory over Providence and in the second round upset #15 ranked Connecticut Huskies 78-72. Unfortunately, we suffered a big loss to the Georgetown Hoyas in the semifinals and we made the long drive back to Morgantown. We were selected as the #7 seed in the West Region in the NCAA Tournament and in the first game defeated the Arizona Wildcats. The second round game is one that I will never forget. We were playing the #2 seed, the Duke Blue Devils. The Verizon Center in Washington, DC was packed with Mountaineer and Blue Devil fans and I was on the sidelines watching one of the most exciting games I have ever been a part of as the Mountaineers upset the Blue Devils 73-67. This advanced the Mountaineers to the Sweet Sixteen in Phoenix, AZ against #3 seed Xavier. This game ended our postseason play as we were defeated in OT 79-75. The 2008-2009 season would be the last time I cheered on the Mountaineers from the sidelines. The regular season seemed to fly by and before I knew it we were traveling to NYC for the tournament. Our first game would be against the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame. We defeated the Irish and then went on to beat our rival, the Pittsburgh Panthers, in a huge upset. We ended up losing in OT in the semi-finals to Syracuse. Following the tournament we were selected the #6 seed in the Midwest Region and made the trip to Minneapolis, MN to take on the Dayton Flyers. We were upset by the flyers in crushing 68-60 season ending loss. Since then, the Mountaineers have gone on to win their first Big East Championship, have advanced to the Final Four, have joined the Big 12 Conference and Coach Huggins has been named the Big 12 Coach of the Year. The #18 Mountaineers recently finished their regular season with a win over Oklahoma State this past Saturday. They will now face Baylor in the Big 12 Men’s Championship quarterfinal this Thursday at 12:30 p.m. I am looking forward to what I know will be an exciting March as we enter the NCAA Men’s Basketball postseason. Happy March Madness and Let’s Go Mountaineers!
Posted in:

Related Posts

What to Do After a Truck Accident in West Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania

What to Do After a Truck Accident in West Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania A recent trucking accident on I-70 near Wheeling caused serious injuries and brought traffic to a standstill. These kinds of accidents are all too common in West Virginia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, especially on major highways like I-70 and I-79. If you’re involved in a crash with a commercial truck, knowing what to do next is critical for your health and your legal rights. Protecting Yourself Legally and Medically If you’re involved in a truck accident: Call 911 immediately. Document the scene (photos, notes, witness names). Seek medical attention—even if injuries seem minor. Commercial trucking accidents are far more complicated than regular car crashes. The trucking company, driver, and even cargo loaders may all play a role in what happened. That’s why it’s so important to protect yourself early. Truck crashes often involve federal trucking regulations in addition to local laws. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires drivers to operate with “extreme caution” in hazardous conditions, a regulation often cited in legal cases. Don’t Navigate This Alone Trucking companies have their lawyers working to limit what they pay. Victims need someone in their corner who understands both state and federal laws across the tri-state region. An experienced attorney can help preserve evidence, negotiate with insurers, and ensure you’re treated fairly.  At Bordas & Bordas, we fight to protect victims and ensure they’re not taken advantage of during this complex process. Learn more about truck accident claims

Bordas and Bordas Attorneys celebrating 40 years of justice from 1985 to 2025 with the message "Fighting for Justice for 40 Years.

Fighting for Justice for 40 Years

Fighting for Justice for 40 Years In 2025, Bordas & Bordas is proudly celebrating 40 years, a testament to our unwavering commitment to serving our community and fighting for justice. Since our founding in 1985 by Jim and Linda Bordas, we’ve grown from a small practice into one of the region’s premier personal injury law firms with offices in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Wheeling and Moundsville, West Virginia, and St. Clairsville, Ohio. The story of Bordas & Bordas Attorneys PLLC began with a unique partnership. Linda, a former hospital pharmacist turned lawyer, and Jim, who has been described by many as a giant in the legal profession, combined their expertise and passion for justice to open the doors of Bordas & Bordas upon Linda’s graduation from law school in 1985. Their remarkable record, including never losing a trial together, fueled the firm’s early success. Linda’s medical background proved invaluable, particularly in medical malpractice cases, where she became a leading force, securing landmark verdicts and expanding patient rights. Jim spent his career fighting battles for his clients that others couldn’t or wouldn’t fight. For over four decades, he built a reputation of success through landmark jury verdicts and settlements. In 2000, the Bordas legacy continued with the addition of Jim and Linda’s oldest son, Jamie, who became the firm’s managing partner in 2005. Jim cherished working alongside Jamie, creating a strong bond, and ensuring the firm’s values would endure. Linda remains a partner at Bordas & Bordas and continues to provide guidance and advice as we continue to fight for justice. Our Core Values: The Shield of Bordas & Bordas Our logo, a shield with four quadrants and a central cross, symbolizes what we hold dear: Experience: Four decades of dedicated legal service. Family: A firm built on strong family values and lasting relationships. Community: A commitment to serving and giving back to our community. Results: A proven track record of securing substantial recoveries for our clients. Christian Values: The Cross in the center represents the moral compass that guides our work. Our Commitment to You A lot has changed in 40 years, but one thing remains the same: Our reputation for taking on any opponent in the courtroom. This is backed by years of success and record-breaking results, including numerous multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements across a wide range of personal injury practice areas. We understand the challenges clients face, which is why our cases are handled on a contingency fee basis. This means clients pay no fee unless we secure a recovery for them. We offer: Free initial consultations. No retainer required. We advance all case expenses. Our work has garnered national attention, with features on programs like 60 Minutes, Inside Edition, and CNN, showcasing our dedication to seeking justice for our clients. Learn more about our results by clicking here. As we celebrate 40 years, we reaffirm our commitment to providing exceptional legal representation and upholding the values that have guided us since 1985. We are grateful for the trust our clients have placed in us and look forward to serving our community for many years to come.

Bordas & Bordas Presents 16 High School Seniors with Anti-Bullying Award

Bordas & Bordas is proud to announce the names of the 16 students from schools in Ohio, Marshall and Belmont counties who are recipients of the Bordas & Bordas Anti-Bullying Fighting for Justice Award. The 2025 award recipients: Hayley Hoffer, Barnesville High School Reegan Williams, Bellaire High School Madison Marsh, Bridgeport High School Camden Frye, Cameron High School Dessie Morris, East Richland Christian High School Jadyn Parker, John Marshall High School Zoe Zatezalo, The Linsly School Nathan Luong, Martins Ferry High School Mia Boatman-Salas, Shadyside High School Andrew Roberts, St. Clairsville High School Gianna Parker, St. John Central Academy Emilie Blawut, Union Local High School Josann Frizzell, Wheeling Central Catholic High School Sydney Kobasko, Wheeling Central Catholic High School Ciera Faulstick, Wheeling Park High School Isabelle Thomas, Wheeling Park High School “Congratulations to the senior students who have been named 2025 Bordas & Bordas Anti-Bullying Ambassadors,” said Managing Partner Jamie Bordas. “Nominations from educators and community members highlighted the significant contributions these young adults have made through their actions and attitudes in both their schools and communities.” The award was created in 2014 by Bordas & Bordas founder Jim Bordas and honors each Anti-Bullying Ambassador with a $500 cash prize. The criteria for students nominated includes treating everyone equally, respecting differences in others, and standing up for those who are targeted by others or are discriminated against. “We are proud to recognize these individuals who serve as positive examples for their peers. We wish the Anti-Bullying Ambassadors and the class of 2025 the best of luck in their future endeavors,” said Bordas. Bordas & Bordas is a plaintiff’s litigation law firm with offices in Pittsburgh, Wheeling, W.Va., St. Clairsville, Ohio, and Moundsville, W.Va. The firm’s attorneys practice throughout the region in diverse areas of law and are licensed in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, and Texas.