BY KYLE LOVERN
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

PARSONS, W.Va. — In a battle of two of the best Single A teams in West Virginia, the host Tucker County Lions won over the Tug Valley Panthers 56-50 Saturday in Parsons.

The Panthers had a long drive to Tucker County in the northeastern part of the state. They went into the game ranked No. 2 in Single A, while the Lions were ranked No. 1.

The game was back and forth with the lead see-sawing especially in the first half.

The Panthers trailed after one quarter 19-12 but led at the half 32-30 after outscoring Tucker County 20-11 in the second period.

Kaden Hale led Tug with 13 first-half points, while Braydun Ferris scored eight and Ashton Davis seven. Ethan Rosenau led the Mountain Lions with 15 in the first half.

The third quarter was low-scoring as the Mountain Lions outscored the Panthers 7-4.

Tucker County made several clutch free throws down the stretch to pull out the win. The Lions had a 19-14 advantage in the final quarter.

Hale finished with 15 points to lead the Panthers, while Ferris had 14 and Davis 13. Buddy Marcum chipped in six and Carson Newsome two. Marcum led TV with nine rebounds.

Tug Valley was only 4-16 from 3-point range for 25%. The Panthers shot a cool 36% from the field but were better at the foul line making 14-17 for 82%.

Rosenau led Tucker County with 19 points, Trevan Bonner scored 14, Ashton Lycliter scored 12, and Garrett Wilfong scored seven.

Both teams now have identical 16-4 records.

Tug Valley has one more regular season game left before the postseason. The Panthers are slated to travel to Westside High School this week.

Score by quarters:
Tug:12 20 4 14 – 50
Tucker: 19 11 7 19 – 56