| By Drew Moody
 Late last week, Whitney Minigh realized one of her long-held dreams - officially becoming a Lady Pioneer this fall. She rose to become a top regional player. She was named to the 2007 First Team All-Mid-Ohio Valley Basketball Team.
"I'm just excited to get the ball rolling," Whitney said. "This team has some big shoes to fill."
As she prepares to celebrate her eighteenth birthday this week, Whitney is a young woman who has amassed a long list of accomplishments and honors, on the basketball court and off.
She averaged 16.6 points and 5.8 rebounds per game during her 4-year high school career. Frequently, she ranked regionally among the top-ten players in three-point goals, and steals.
Whitney was selected the 2006 Gilmer County High School
Homecoming Queen. Here she rides in the annual homecoming
parade in downtown Glenville (Photos by Drew Moody)
She will graduate from Gilmer County High School with highest honors maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA. In addition to the basketball scholarship, she easily qualified for West Virginia's Promise Scholarship. She'll walk into her first class with 16 college credit hours already on the books.
Whitney has also received the Wagner Math and Science Award,
the John C. Shaw Scholarship and the Earnest Smith Award. Those three honors combined adds another nearly $2,000 toward her college education. Currently she plans to major in biology at Glenville and pursue a medical career, perhaps as a veterinarian.
She was raised on a farm near Cedarville. The family keeps cattle, horses, and chickens. Whitney's spent summers working around the farm, including putting up hay. Anyone who's seen her on a basketball court will attest she's not afraid of hard work.
This Gilmer County native began playing basketball in fifth grade, and she loves the sport. So does her father.
Unless you factor in that Whitney has 13 immediate family members who have attended or are attending Glenville State College, most graduating with teaching degrees, it may be hard to imagine that a few weeks ago she turned down a 'six-figure' scholarship in favor of being a Lady Pioneer.
Whitney was a "walk on" at that institution. The school had never heard of her. Two hours later, after seeing her work out against their seasoned college players the offer was made.
She's the daughter of Bob and Becky Minigh. Bob is a well-known local magistrate in his thirty-first year on the bench.
Minigh says the entire family bleeds blue for Glenville State College.
Minigh's other two daughters graduated from Glenville State. His son needs a class or two to complete his degree. Bob, along with his brother and sister hold teaching degrees from Glenville. Two nieces and a nephew are currently students at the school.
His sister, Pam, was inducted in the school's Elam Hall of Fame
and was a standout in both basketball and volleyball. She scored 1,434 career points and among her other accomplishments was a 4-time selection to the WVIAC All-Tournament team. She was also the 1983 Williams Award winner, and earned several other honors, including for her prowess on a volleyball court.
When Whitney's father says the family has a long tradition at Glenville State College it's almost an understatement.
At home Minigh stressed sports; her mother stressed academics.
Over the years Minigh has coached several teams locally, including serving as assistant baseball coach at Gilmer County High School.
He believes sports provides a positive vehicle to teach young people discipline. "It creates a work ethic that brings success in all phases of life," adding, "the will to win is important, but the will to prepare to win is more important."
Whitney drives to the basket during a scrim-
mage
at a 2006 Lady Pioneers Basketball camp
Whitney has participated in Lady Pioneer summer basketball camps for several years. When she was younger Whitney worked extensively with Lady Pioneer standout Tracy Wyatt. More recently she's worked with Rachel Redick and over the years she and Rachel have become friends. Whitney said she will continue working with Rachel privately.
Minigh is looking forward to doing whatever he can to help the team. "I have nothing but good things to say about Denny Fitzpatrick," Minigh said. "We're more than happy to place our child in the hands of Glenville State College."
Minigh and his wife nearly echoed in unison how much Rachel Redick has helped their daughter. "She's been a mentor to Whitney," Becky said.
It doesn't take much reading between the lines to see how proud Bob and Becky are of their youngest daughter. "I'm proud of all my children," Minigh said, "for what they've accomplished in their lives."
Whitney was coached at Gilmer County High School by another Glenville graduate, Jay Chambers. Chambers had high praise for the only senior leaving the Gilmer County squad. "She is a diligent worker and pleasant to be around."
"I try to teach kids good things happen to those who work hard," Chambers said, pointing to Whitney as an excellent example.
Chambers said Whitney is a joy to coach. "She's smart, articulate, she'll be a good citizen. She'll do well no matter what she does."
Acting Lady Pioneer basketball coach Dennis Fitzpatrick said Sunday afternoon Whitney has skills that fit nicely in the Pioneer program. Fitzpatrick characterized her as an unselfish player who wants to contribute.
Fitzpatrick held "walk-on" try outs Sunday afternoon and is hoping to fill the final three slots soon. He recalled Mallory Menendez's initial visit in Glenville. "She came in for a try-out, and shot 16-threes in a row." | 
