BY KYLE LOVERN
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

NAUGATUCK, W.Va. — The visiting Class AAA Logan Wildcats jumped out to a 20-9 lead after the first quarter and held off No. 2-ranked Class A Tug Valley 67-55 Saturday night at Naugatuck.

The Panthers played better in the second quarter, with Logan outscoring them 15-14 heading into the dressing room at halftime.

The third quarter was low-scoring with Tug holding an 11-9 edge, but the Wildcats outscored the Panthers 23-21 in the final eight minutes to pull away with the victory.

Tug Valley was cold from the floor, only hitting 32% from the field and making 7-25 from behind the arc for 35%. They were 8-11 at the charity stripe for 73%.

Kaden Hale led Tug Valley in the scoring column with 19 points, while Carson Newsome had a good game off the bench tallying 14 points. Braydun Ferris scored nine points and dished out six assists. Buddy Marcum added seven points and hauled in six rebounds, while Ashton Davis had four and Bryson Elia two.

For the Logan Wildcats, four players got into double figures, led by Cole Blankenship with 25 points. Matt Hatfield followed with 12 points, Julius Clancy with 10 and Zayden Sherod added 10. McCormick Ilderton chipped in seven and Devan Maynard three.

Logan shot near 50% from the floor and made 13-15 foul shots for 87%. The Cats were 8-16 from behind the arc for 50%.

Coach Garland “Rabbit” Thompson’s squad is scheduled to play Man, Van and Tucker County this week as they head toward the postseason.

Score by quarters:
Logan: 20 15 9 23 – 67
Tug: 9 14 11 21 – 55