BY KYLE LOVERN
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
NAUGATUCK, W.Va. — The Tug Valley Lady Panthers had a great start to their 2025-26 season with a 62-32 victory over Class AAA Chapmanville at their home gym in Naugatuck Thursday, Dec. 4.
Tug Valley entered the contest as No. 3 in the preseason Class A rankings in West Virginia.
The Lady Panthers of coach Seth Ooten came out with full-court pressure getting steals and forcing turnovers. They jumped out to a 13-0 lead midway through the first quarter.
Katelyn Richardson scored nine points in the opening quarter, including a long 3-pointer.
Kendra Ingram hit a 3 from the top of the key to stop the bleeding for the Lady Tigers.
TVHS led 20-10 after the first eight minutes of play.
Haven Deskins fired in seven points in the second quarter to help her team build a lead.
The Lady Panthers held Chapmanville to just five points in the third quarter and coasted to the win.
Deskins finished with 13 points, Bailee Hall banked in 12 and Richardson had 11 for Tug’s balanced offensive attack. Katie Hall and Kyle DeBoard both added six points, while freshman Gracie Hynd scored seven off the bench in her first high school game. Alexis Messer scored three and Brooke Spaulding added a free throw to round out the TV scoring.
Bailee Hall had 12 rebounds to give her a double-double, while Katie Hall pulled down nine boards and four blocked shots. DeBoard led the Lady Panthers with nine assists.
Tug Valley had 17 steals and forced several C’ville turnovers.
Ingram led the Lady Tigers with 11, while Megan Brown added nine points.
“Our defense was tough from start to finish and I thought we moved the ball extremely well on offense,” Ooten said. “They all battled for rebounds, transitioned really well and showed tremendous unselfishness with their passing. It was a complete team win.”
Coach Ooten’s team is scheduled to travel to Sherman on Monday night. The Lady Panthers will host Mingo Central on Thursday.
Score by quarters:
Cville: 10 8 5 9 – 32
Tug: 20 12 13 17 – 62