Win streak at 15 straight games
BY KYLE LOVERN
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Tug Valley improved to 19-2 on the season as they downed Charleston Catholic 60-52 Thursday night in a tough road game.
The win is the 15th straight for TVHS as they continued to be ranked No. 1 in the state in Class A.
The Panthers jumped out to a 15-10 lead after one quarter. But the Irish fought back on their home court, outscoring TV 15-9 in the second quarter to take the lead to 25-24 heading into the dressing room at the half.
Tug Valley closed the third quarter on an 8-0 run that featured two Ashton Davis 3-pointers to go ahead.
The game was tied at 36 all when the Panthers went on the run. They led by no fewer than five throughout the fourth quarter for the big victory.
“He’s a senior and that’s what you win with on the road at a tough place like Charleston Catholic,” Tug Valley head coach Garland “Rabbit” Thompson told MetroNews Sports. “He hit those threes and those really sparked us and gave us confidence.”
The Irish dropped to 8-12 and lost for the fifth time in six games and the second time this season to the Panthers, having lost at Tug Valley 68-58 earlier in the season.
Tug Valley, which made 13-of-23 second-half field-goal attempts and 21 of 39 for the game, had only one turnover in the final two quarters and just seven for the game.
The Panthers were hot from behind the arc, making 7-9 for 78%. They were 11-14 at the free-throw line for 79%.
Davis had 18 points to lead all players and made 4-of-7 shots, including 3-for-3 from long range. He made 7-of-8 free throws.
Senior Kaden Hale followed with 14, while Bryson Elia scored 11, Carson Newsome 10 and Braydun Ferris 7. Ferris dished out five assists to lead in that category.
William Gruse and Mikaden Hale led the Irish with 13 points apiece, while Zaden Ranson chipped in with 11 points, pulled down 10 rebounds and handed out six assists.
Catholic shot 40% for the game and had 16 assists with eight turnovers.
Tug Valley will host Logan for its final regular season game Tuesday.
The Panthers received the No. 1 seed in the Super Regional Class A tournament coming up next week. They will host their postseason games on their home court at Naugatuck. Tug will play the winner of the game between No. 8 Gilmer County and No. 9 Calhoun County on March 7.
Score by quarters:
Tug: 15 9 20 16 – 60
CC: 10 15 11 16 – 52