Headed to state tournament this week
BY KYLE LOVERN
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
NAUGATUCK — The Tug Valley Panthers steamrolled past Huntington St. Joe 77-34 Thursday night at their home gym to win the Class A, Region 4 co-championship. The No. 2-ranked Panthers are now 22-3 and have an 18-game winning streak.
The win puts Tug Valley back into the West Virginia State tournament at the Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center.
Tug led 11-7 and really put the foot on the peddle in the second quarter outscoring the Irish 25-4 to take a commanding 36-11 lead into the dressing room at the half.
The Panthers of Coach Garland “Rabbit” Thompson continued to dominate in the second half and coasted to the easy regional tourney win.
The St. Joe Irish finished the season at 13-12.
Ashton Davis led Tug Valley with 14 first-half points to help his team build an early lead. Joey Gollihue fired in nine points in the second period. Both Davis and Gollihue finished the game with 17 points.
Bryson Elia scored 10 off the bench, Parker Davis chipped in nine points, Buddy Marcum added seven and Braydun Ferris six for the Panthers.
Once again Coach Thompson and his staff were able to play several players on the roster in the contest.
TVHS made 10-22 treys for 45% including four from Gollihue, three by A. Davis, two by Elia and one by Brady Brewer. The Panthers shot 44% from the floor for the game and 7-10 at the foul line for 70%.
Cadin Ehirim led the Irish with 19 points and was the only player in double figures.
The Panthers are the No. 2 seed and will play their first game in the state tournament Wednesday (March 15) in Charleston vs. No. 7 Wahama. Starting time is scheduled for 7:15 p.m.
If the Panthers win they will have an early game Friday (March 17) at 9:30 a.m.
The championship game for Class A is slated for noon Saturday (March 18).
James Monroe, ranked No. 1 heading into the postseason, got the No. 1 seed.
Score by quarters:
Saint Joe: 7 4 17 6 – 34
Tug Valley: 11 25 24 17 – 77