Tug Valley headed back to state tournament

Tug Valley heads back to the state tournament to defend its Class A state championship. They paused for a team picture after their regional win over Sherman. (Courtesy photo by Karen Watts)

BY KYLE LOVERN
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

NAUGATUCK, W.Va. — The Tug Valley High School boys basketball team is headed back to the West Virginia State Tournament to defend its Class A state championship. The Panthers easily defeated Sherman 73-34 on March 12 at the TVHS gym in Naugatuck. This was the Region 4 co-championship.

The Class A No. 1-ranked Tug Valley, coached by Garland “Rabbit” Thompson, is now 22-2 and riding an 18-game winning streak.

Cam Slone takes his turn at cutting the nets after the co-championship in the regional tourney. (Courtesy photo by Karen Watts)

The Panthers led 10-4 after one quarter and 28-14 heading into the dressing room at the half.

They outscored the Tide 45-20 in the final two quarters to pull away with the convincing victory.

Junior Braydun Ferris led the way with 23 points. The all-stater also dished out seven assists and had five steals.

Ethan Ferrell scored 12 and Kaden Hale 11, while Bryson Elia and Ashton Davis both chipped in eight and Cam Slone added six points. Braxton Farley added five off the bench.

Bryson Elia cuts the nets as young Panthers fans watch in amazement. (Courtesy photo)

Tug Valley shot 68% from the floor, including 8-13 from behind the arc for 63%. They were 5-9 at the foul line for 58%.

Ryan Mollohan led Sherman with 10 points.

The Panthers earned the top seed in the West Virginia Class A State Tournament in Charleston Coliseum. Tug Valley will play 8-seed Montcalm on March 20 at 5:30 p.m.

Class A State Tournament seeds:

  • Tug Valley (22-2)
  • Tucker County (19-2)
  • East Hardy (19-5)
  • Greater Beckley Christian (15-8)
  • Huntington St. Joseph’s (16-7)
  • Clay-Battelle (18-6)
  • Magnolia (16-8)
  • Montcalm (17-6)

Score by quarters:
Sherman: 4 10 9 11 – 34
Tug: 10 18 20 25 – 73

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