TVMS coach, facing misdemeanor charges, plans to resign
MILL CREEK – The head coach of the Tygarts Valley Middle School girls basketball team is facing two misdemeanor charges after an alleged in-game altercation with a player on an opposing team.
Sarah Lynn Bell, 43, is charged with one count of simple assault and one count of battery, both misdemeanors. Bell has pleaded not guilty to both charges. Bell posted the $200 cash bond and is being represented by attorney James Hawkins Jr.
According to the criminal complaint filed in Randolph County Magistrate Court by Deputy Rocky Hebb of the Randolph County Sheriff’s Department, on Jan. 27, a physical altercation broke out between two juveniles during a basketball game at Tygart Valley Middle/High School.
According to separate reports, the event was a home game for Tygarts Valley Middle School girls against Philippi Middle School. The two juveniles were players from Tygart Valley Middle and Philippi Middle, respectively, and were on the court when the altercation occurred.
Bell, according to the criminal complaint, approached the two juveniles to separate them and, in doing so, “did place her hand against the throat of juvenile… while pushing her backward.” It is reported that the juvenile was a player from Philippi Middle School.
The complaint continues that Bell then, allegedly, “drew back her right fist as if to punch (the juvenile) thus causing (the juvenile) to believe she was going to be hit…”
Contacted by The Inter-Mountain, a Randolph County Board of Education Office representative confirmed that Bell “was employed, as a coach.” When asked if she was still employed, The Inter-Mountain was told that the representative could not say.
According to the agenda for Tuesday’s Board of Education meeting, Bell’s resignation, effective Jan. 28, from the position of “Head Middle School Girls Basketball Coach” at Tygart Valley Middle/High School will be up for the Board’s approval.