BY KYLE LOVERN
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

NAUGATUCK, W.Va. — The Tug Valley Panthers continued their early season winning streak with a decisive 79-52 victory over regional rival Tolsia on Friday, Dec. 20.

The Panthers raced out to a 17-8 lead after one quarter and led 36-18 at the half.

Tug Valley continued their dominance in the third quarter outscoring the Rebels 24-14 and coasted the rest of the way as several players saw action in the game.

Kaden Hale led the Panthers in scoring with 21 points, including four 3-pointers. Point guard Braydun Ferris flipped in 16 points and dished out 11 assists. Carson Newsome had nine, Brady Brewer scored nine points on three 3-pointers, Ethan Ferrell added eight, Ashton Davis six and Bryson Elia four.

Elia pulled down a team-high seven boards.

For Tolsia, Cole Blackburn scored 14 and C.J. Walker 10.

Coach Garland “Rabbit” Thompson was pleased with the victory and said his team had been working on timing and trying to get into basketball shape.

“Tonight I thought we moved the ball well and I thought the pace was very good,” Thompson said. “We moved the ball a lot quicker and that allows you to get open jump shots.”

Tug Valley is now 3-0 on the season and goes into the Christmas break ranked No. 1 in Class A in West Virginia.

The Panthers will host the annual Kaydence Maynard Memorial Classic at the TVHS gymnasium on Dec. 27-28.

Score by quarters:
Tolsia: 8 10 13 21 – 52
Tug: 17 19 24 19 – 79