West Virginia governor vies for Manchin’s US Senate seat, while moonlighting as girls hoops coach

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — When West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice recently returned to the spotlight, it wasn’t as the state’s top executive. Or a wealthy businessman. Or even as a candidate for the U.S. Senate.

The term-limited Republican was instead back on the court, guiding a high school team in the quarterfinals of the state basketball tournament.

Compared to his everyday dealings as governor as well as owner of the posh Greenbrier Resort and more than 100 other businesses, it was a respite for the 72-year-old former billionaire who moonlights as the girls coach at Greenbrier East.

It was a chance for him to focus on a group of young players who’d won 21 of their 25 previous games. The school last won the state title in 2012, also under Justice, who’s been the girls coach since 2000. He also has been president of youth baseball’s Little League chapter in Beckley since 1992.

“I love my job being with kids,” Justice said. “Giving time to kids is precious and mandatory today. Like it or not like it, but these rascals go through a whole lot of pressures today that we never had before.”

Justice has let his assistant coaches handle team practices when he’s elsewhere on official duties. He also was the school’s boys basketball coach for six years until deciding he couldn’t give it the focus it required due to being governor.

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The girls