BY KYLE LOVERN
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
NAUGATUCK, W.Va. – Tug Valley completed the season sweep of county rival Mingo Central as the Panthers ran past the Miners 69-47 Tuesday night at the Panthers’ home gym in Naugatuck.
Sophomore Joey Gollihue scored seven and freshman Braydun Ferris five in the first quarter as Tug Valley led 16-10 early.
The Panthers, ranked No. 3 in Class A, outscored the Miners 17-10 in the second quarter and forced eight turnovers with full-court pressure. They led 33-20 at halftime.
TV built a 20-point lead midway through the third period at 48-28 and coasted to the victory. Big Buddy Marcum, a junior low post threat, scored eight in the third quarter.
The Panthers placed four players in double figures and several on the roster got some playing time. Gollihue finished with 16, sophomore Ashton Davis scored 15, Ferris finished with 13 and Marcum 10.
Tug Valley shot 54% from the floor including 10-28 from behind the arc for 36%.
Malaki Sheppard led Mingo Central with 15 points, while Jake Cline scored 11 and Ethan Thomason added 10.
“It was a very good win for us tonight. Anytime you beat Mingo Central it’s good,” Coach Garland “Rabbit” Thompson said. “I thought we had several kids play well.”
Thompson said he was glad he could play a lot of players and wished he had got everyone on the bench into the game.
Tug Valley improved to 14-3 and won its 10th straight game. The Miners dropped to 7-12.
The TVHS boosters honored its 2012 Class AA state championship team before the game. Some players attended and were introduced and assembled at midcourt for a photo.
Score by quarters:
Mingo: 10 10 13 14 – 47
Tug: 16 17 22 14 – 69
