BY KYLE LOVERN
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

NEW RICHMOND, W.Va. — For the second time this season, Wyoming East, the Class AA No. 2-ranked team in the state, defeated Tug Valley. This time it was on the road as the Panthers fell 69-57 in Wyoming County.

Tug Valley lost to the Warriors at home earlier in the season by a score of 63-62 in the regular season opener at Naugatuck.

The Panthers trailed 14-10 after one quarter and 31-23 headed into the dressing room at halftime.

The home team outscored the visitors 23-19 in the third quarter, but the two squads played even in the fourth quarter, each netting 15 points.

Wyoming East shot 15-22 at the free throw line for 68%, while Tug Valley only went to the charity stripe six times, making 5-6 for 83%.

The Warriors were 26-51 from the field for 49%, including 4-11 from behind the arc. Meanwhile, the Panthers were 24-55 from the floor for 44% and made 4-11 from long distance.

Senior floor general Braydun Ferris led Tug Valley in scoring once again with 27 points. Junior Zade Rash was the only other player in double figures with 12 points. Carson Newsome added 7, Preston May 6, Aiden Copeland 3 and Cam Slone 2 for Coach Garland “Rabbit” Thompson’s team.

For the Warriors, a pair of low-post players led the way: Konor Fox, a 6-foot-6 center, scored 22 points, while Brady Johnson, a 6-foot-2 forward, scored 24.

Wyoming East outrebounded Tug Valley 32-13 for the game.

The win improved Wyoming East’s record to 7-1 and a sweep of the season series with the Panthers. Tug Valley, ranked No. 1 in Class A in the Mountain State, saw its record drop to 6-2.

Score by quarters:
Tug: 10 13 19 15 – 57
East: 14 17 23 15 – 69