BY KYLE LOVERN
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

Tug Valley’s top-ranked Panthers continued their dominant run last week, overwhelming county rival Mingo Central with relentless pressure on Miner Mountain. The Panthers followed with another lopsided win over Magnolia in the Country Roads Shootout, improving to 11-4 as the postseason draws closer.

Panthers claw Miners

For the second time this season, the Tug Valley Panthers clawed county rival Mingo Central 89-46 in basketball action at the Miners home gym on Miner Mountain in Red Jacket, Tuesday, Feb. 10.

The game was scheduled for the Williamson Fieldhouse, but was changed back to the MCHS gym after the floor was approved for play. A couple of weeks ago, a basketball bounced up, hit a sprinkler pipe, and flooded one end of the playing floor. The Miners had not played a true home game in quite a while.

However, the actual home-court advantage did not help Mingo Central as the Class A No. 1-ranked Tug Valley Panthers proved that they are the superior team in the county – at least this season.

Coach Garland “Rabbit” Thompson’s team came out with full-court pressure, forcing the Miners into several turnovers. Mingo Central had nine in the first period and five in the second. They ended the game with 23 miscues.

The Panthers took advantage, converting many of those turnovers into easy baskets.

Tug Valley led 22-11 after one quarter as senior Bryson Elia swished in a pair of 3-pointers. Elia got the start after sitting out much of the season with a severe knee injury suffered in football season.

The Panthers led 45-24 heading into the dressing room at the half. This was thanks to a couple of offensive spurts, including a 10-0 run in the second quarter.

Carson Newsome led the Panthers in scoring in the first half with 12 points, followed by senior Braydun Ferris with nine. Meanwhile, Elia and Preston May each tallied six points.

TVHS outscored Mingo 30-13 in the third quarter and coasted to the win as both coaches cleared their benches for most of the final minutes. The Panthers led 73-37 after three quarters of play.

Ferris led Tug Valley with 18 points, dished out eight assists, and grabbed five rebounds. Aiden Copeland scored 15 off the bench, followed by Newsome with 14 and five assists. Elia finished with 13 points, Preston May 12, Zade Rash nine, Jackson Jewell four, Jace Hale two and Cam Slone two.

The Panthers shot 55% from the floor, making 37-67 shots, including 10-24 from 3-point land for 42%.

Devin Maynard led the Miners with 14 points, while Elijah May added 13 for the only two players in double figures.

The Panthers improved to 10-4 this season and 26-5 all-time against Mingo Central.

The Miners, coached by Rob Browning in his first season as head coach, fell below .500 to 7-8 on the season.

Score by quarters:
Tug: 22 21 30 16 – 89
Mingo: 11 13 13 9 – 46

TV 91, MH 43

Tug Valley easily defeated Class AA Magnolia 91-43 in the Country Roads Shootout on the campus of West Virginia State University in Institute, Thursday morning, Feb. 12.

The Panthers placed five players in double figures.

Zade Rash led the way with 15, Preston May scored 13, Carson Newsome added 12, Bryson Elia 11 and Aiden Copeland also had 11. Point guard Braydun Ferris added nine points and six assists, while Cam Slone scored eight.

Kingston Christen led Magnolia with 16 points, while Noah Hood scored 13.

Tug Valley improved to 11-4 on the season, while Magnolia dropped to 7-10.

Score by quarters:
Tug: 26 25 25 15 – 91
Mag: 4 15 12 12 – 43