BY KYLE LOVERN
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
NAUGATUCK, W.Va. — It was Senior Night for the Tug Valley Panthers as four upperclassmen played their final regular-season game at the TVHS gym at Naugatuck.
The four included Braydun Ferris, Bryson Elia, Carson Newsome and Jace Hale.
They did not disappoint the hometown crowd, downing regional rival Man 73-56 on a chilly Tuesday night.
Tug Valley came into the game ranked No. 2 in Class A in the Mountain State, but had been in the top spot for most of the season.
After a slow start by both teams, Tug Valley increased its lead to 33-18 at intermission. The score was only 10-4 after one quarter.
Senior All-State point guard Braydun Ferris scored 14 in the second period, including 4-of-4 from long distance. He had 18 in the first half, while junior wing Zade Rash added nine points.
The Panthers of Coach Garland “Rabbit” Thompson pulled away in the third quarter to coast to the victory.
Ferris finished with 33 points and dished out four assists. He was 6-of-7 from behind the arc.
Carson Newsome and Rash added 17 points each, while Cam Slone and Preston May both added 6 points.
Rash dished out six dimes and pulled down seven rebounds. Newsome dished out five assists, while May had three.
Tug Valley forced 16 turnovers by the Hillbillies.
The Panthers shot 55% from the floor, including 10-19 from behind the arc. They were 5-5 at the foul line for 100%.
Grayson Sanders led Man with 16 points, while Noah Frazier also scored 16 and Jaxon Vance added 11 points. The Hillbillies are now 13-7 for the regular season.
The Billies shot 44% from the field, including 9-19 from 3-point land. They were 3-4 at the free throw line for 76%.
Tug Valley is now 16-5 and will host a regional tourney game next week.
The Panthers earned the No. 1 seed in the region and will take on the winner of the Calhoun County-Hannan game on Thursday, March 5 in Class A, Region IV.
Huntington St. Joe got the No. 2 seed and is in the opposite bracket. The two teams split their regular-season contests and could be on course to meet again in the regional championship game.
The West Virginia Boys State Tournament is scheduled for March 17-21 at the Charleston Coliseum.
Score by quarters:
Man: 4 14 18 20 – 56
Tug: 10 23 25 15 – 73