BY KYLE LOVERN
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

NAUGATUCK, W.Va. — The Tug Valley Panthers finally got back on the hardwood Feb. 25 after the recent flooding that postponed games and practices.

The Panthers did not miss a beat as they downed the visiting Sherman Tide 69-30 on Senior Night at the TVHS gym at Naugatuck.

Three seniors were honored before the game: Ashton Davis, Kaden Hale and Ethan Ferrell.

Braydun Ferris, a junior point guard, was also honored during the pregame for recently scoring 1,000 career points. Ferris added to that total Tuesday night as he led the Panthers with 27 points. Davis followed with 10 points, Ferrell nine, Carson Newsome eight and Hale six for Coach Garland “Rabbit” Thompson’s squad. Cam Slone added four, Bryson Elia three and Jace Hale two for TVHS.

Ferris and Elia both dished out four assists, while Kaden Hale had three.

Thompson had high praise for his three seniors and said they will be missed next season.

Tug Valley shot close to 50% for the game and made 5-7 from the charity stripe for 71%. The Panthers only made four from behind the arc. But it was their pressure defense that did the job again, forcing 15 turnovers, many of which led to some easy baskets.

They also held Sherman to 29% shooting for the game.

No one scored in double digits for the Tide, but Trey Lester had eight points to lead Sherman.

This was the 14th straight win for Tug Valley. The Panthers are now 18-2 and ranked No. 1 in Class A in the Mountain State in both the Coaches and Associated Press polls. They are the defending state champs with the postseason right around the corner.

Score by quarters:

Sherman: 7 13 6 4 – 30

Tug Valley: 20 15 16 18 – 69