From the Bench: From Cockroach Concerns to 5-Star Lodging as Marshall, BHS Team to Experience a First
By Jeff Toquinto on December 21, 2025 from Sports Blog
In 34 years of coaching, and in plenty of years before getting into the business, Dave Marshall has spent many nights in hotels and motels at the West Virginia basketball tournament.
Not every lodging experience has been great. In fact, he recalled two times – one prior to the business and one after getting into the business – that the lodging was far from adequate.
“Actually, the worst place I was ever booked to stay at was a place we almost stayed at back when I believe I was in college. I was with 
(Bridgeport Middle School teacher) Bill Shaver and (Doddridge County Athletic Director) Scott Robey and my wife, bless her heart, got us a room near Charleston,” said Marshall. “I think it was called the El Rancho Inn. We drove by it, and we kept going. It was that bad.
(Bridgeport Middle School teacher) Bill Shaver and (Doddridge County Athletic Director) Scott Robey and my wife, bless her heart, got us a room near Charleston,” said Marshall. “I think it was called the El Rancho Inn. We drove by it, and we kept going. It was that bad.
“When I was coaching the girls here at Bridgeport, years ago because Larry Burner was the AD, we stayed at a place in South Charleston that was provided to us by the (WVSSAC),” he continued. “We got the short straw. There weren’t cockroaches on the floor, but had we seen them no one would have been surprised.”
Marshall will not be worrying about cockroaches in January when his BHS boys’ basketball team is in a tournament in the southern part of the state.
On Jan. 30-31, his squad will be staying at the only lodging in West Virginia that has had a 5-star rating attached to it. On those days, the Indians will be staying at the Greenbrier Resort.
They will not be there to battle against a local team at a local gymnasium. Instead, the Tribe will be staying on the famous grounds to take 
part in the “Battle for the Springhouse” tournament at the resort – or as some call it “The Greenbrier Classic.” All the games will be played inside of Colonial Hall, where there have been televised collegiate basketball tournaments played and where West Virginia University’s women’s team recently battled Duke.
part in the “Battle for the Springhouse” tournament at the resort – or as some call it “The Greenbrier Classic.” All the games will be played inside of Colonial Hall, where there have been televised collegiate basketball tournaments played and where West Virginia University’s women’s team recently battled Duke.
The Indians will play in two games in the tournament. The boys will open with a semifinal game against Wyoming East at 4 p.m. with James Monroe and Greenbrier East on the other side.
“Honestly, I’ve never been there or stayed at any place that is as nice as this place has been described to me. I’ve driven by it once, but that’s as close as I’ve come,” said Marshall. “I’ve watched the WVU women play there to know the basketball setup is pretty cool but can’t tell you anything about the accommodations other than it should be nice.”
Marshall, the ultimate competitor, said his team is going down to try and win it. However, he said trips away from home, particularly this one, is another unique opportunity.
“We’re exposing are young guys to a unique situation with some history to it as well, but we’re also setting them up for some really good lifelong memories,” said Marshall. “You want to win, but there are other components you have during a season that are valuable and this is part of that.”
For those that do not remember, this will not be the first time a Bridgeport team stayed at the Greenbrier – although it will be the first time the BHS boys basketball team has played there.
Back in 2022, the Indians lost in the title game at the Classic. They lost to in the finals to Greenbrier East. The wrestling team actually competed on the grounds in 2020, according to Former Principal Matt DeMotto.
Current Athletic Director and Assistant Principal Tom Sears also took the BHS girls down early in his tenure in the admiistration to stay at the Greenbrier back when he was a substitute coach for Chelsea Holcomb, who stepped down to take an administrative position.
“We stayed there, but we played at Greenbrier East, and they were coached by (current Senator) Jim Justice,” said Sears. “It was memorable because you’re staying at a world class facility. It had the awesome factor that I know our student-athletes will enjoy when they go down.
“I’m excited for the team,” he continued. “I still talk about it five years later, so I hope they talk about it for a long time too.”
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