BY KYLE LOVERN
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

NAUGATUCK, W.Va. — The Tug Valley High School Panthers passed the century mark as they dominated the Tolsia Rebels 101-37 on Valentine’s Day at the TVHS gym in Naugatuck.

The Panthers jumped out to a 19-3 lead after one quarter. They outscored the Rebels 37-10 in the second period for an incredible 56-12 lead heading into the dressing room at intermission.

Senior All-State point guard Braydun Ferris fired in 19 first-half points to lead TVHS.

The Panthers continued the onslaught in the second half as the reserves got plenty of playing time in the Saturday night game. A total of 13 players broke into the scoring column for Tug Valley.

Ferris finished with 21 points, playing limited minutes in the second half. Zade Rash followed with 14 points, Aiden Copeland scored 13 and Braxton Farley contributed 11.

Rounding out the Tug Valley scoring column, Aiden Fleming flipped in eight points, Carson Newsome added six, Bryson Elia, Preston May and Howard Hodge each scored five, Jackson Jewell and Bryson Richardson both had four, Jace Hale added three and Cam Slone two.

The Panthers smothering defense forced 31 turnovers against Tolsia.

Steeler Salmons led the Rebels with 22 points in the game.

Tug Valley made 40-77 shots from the field for 52%, including 10-26 from behind the 3-point line for 42%. The Panthers were 9-15 from the foul line for 60%.

The No. 1-ranked Tug Valley High School squad improved to 12-4 on the season as the postseason gets closer, and the Panthers will try for a 3-peat in Class A in West Virginia.

Score by quarters:
Tolsia: 3 9 10 15 – 37
Tug: 19 37 28 17 – 101