West Virginia vs Kentucky & Ohio vs Charleston: NCAA Women’s Basketball Round of 32

The Ohio River defines a unique tri-state point where West Virginia, Kentucky, and Ohio converge, a geographical landmark now attracting attention as the backdrop for NCAA Division I women’s basketball tournament action. The Huntington-Ashland metropolitan area, locally known as the “Tri-State area” or “Kyova,” is hosting games involving teams from all three states.

West Virginia University is competing against Kentucky in the Round of 32, even as Ohio University faces Charleston. The Huntington-Ashland metropolitan area encompasses seven counties across the three states, with a 2015 estimated population of 361,580, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. The area’s population was estimated at 356,581 in 2021, a slight decrease from the 2020 census count of 359,862.

Virginia Point Park, located in Kenova, West Virginia, marks the precise location where the borders of the three states meet. The park offers a tangible experience of the region’s unique geographical identity. The metropolitan area is situated along the banks of the Ohio River, a waterway that historically served as a crucial transportation route and continues to be a defining feature of the region.

The economic output of the Tri-State area was $32.937 billion in 2022. Huntington, West Virginia, serves as one of the largest cities within the metropolitan area, alongside Ashland, Kentucky, Portsmouth, Ohio, Teays Valley, West Virginia, and Flatwoods, West Virginia. The region’s elevation varies, ranging from a high of 1,512 feet to a low of 486 feet.

Cabell County, West Virginia, experienced a slight population decrease between 2020 and 2021, falling from 94,350 to 93,418 residents. Lawrence County, Ohio, also saw a decline, with its population decreasing from 58,240 to 57,445. Putnam County, West Virginia, experienced a minimal decrease, while Boyd, Wayne, Greenup, and Carter counties all saw slight population reductions during the same period.

The Huntington-Ashland metropolitan area is part of the larger Charleston–Huntington–Ashland Combined Statistical Area (CSA), which includes the Charleston, West Virginia Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Portsmouth, Ohio µSA. The region operates on Eastern Standard Time (UTC−5) and observes Daylight Saving Time during the summer months (UTC−4).