Tug Valley Overcomes Slow Start To Beat Ritchie County In Class A Quarterfinals
The 2nd seed and defending back-to-back Class A champions Tug Valley had a rough start but was able overcome an early deficit to get a 67-61 win over the 7th seed Ritchie County Rebels, 67-61, on Tuesday in the quarterfinal round of the West Virginia Class A Boys Basketball Tournament at the Charleston Civic Center.
The Rebels (17-7) jumped out quickly and used their size to take a 17-5 lead at the end of the first quarter. Tug Valley (19-5) started getting turnover, and Braydun Ferris began to fill up the basket as the Panthers were able erase the early deficit and take a 32-28 lead into the locker room at the intermission.
Tug Valley kept up the momentum and stretched the lead out to 50-38 at the end of the third period. The Panthers were able to maintain their lead, and the Rebels hit a couple of shots in the final minute against Tug Valley's reserves for the final margin.
Ferris led Tug Valley with 30 points, 5 assists and 6 steals. Zade Rash followed with 17 points. Carson Newsome and Cameron Slone had 9 points each. Bryson Elia finished with 2 points.
For Ritchie County, Isaac Hodges led the way with 32 points and 16 rebounds.
It was Tug Valley head coach Garland "Rabbit" Thompson's 17th state tournament win. Tug Valley is now 93-33 all time in the postseason.
Tug Valley will next play in the Class A semifinals against a familiar foe in Tucker County on Thursday at 11:15 am.
PHOTO CREDIT: WVSSAC
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