WVSSAC Girl's State Basketball Tournament - Class 3A Semi-final Round

PARKERSBURG TOO MUCH FIREPOWER FOR SOUTH CHARLESTON— Joe Costa, Blue Star Media

CHARLESTON WV—Both Parkersburg and South Charleston came charging from the gate in the opener of Friday night’s triple-header, but the Big Reds have so many weapons that even a determined effort by the Black Eagles couldn’t stop the inevitable.

No. 1 seeded Parkersburg made 8 of 27 three-point attempts (29.6%) as compared to just 2 of 12 (16.7%) from behind the arch for the Black Eagles on it’s the way to a well-earned victory over South Charleston 66-50 in the day’s first Class 3A semi-final.

Four Big Reds scored in double figures with  Shay-Lee Kirby leading the way netting 19 points, Bre Wilson with 18, Maddi Leggett 13, and Madi Mace with 11. Aleea Crites grabbed 14 boards for Parkersburg in the win.

Parkersburg ran and pressured at every opportunity, using their size and athleticism to get up-and-down the floor quickly.

The Black Eagles were led by Maliha Witten with 18 points, while Lavender Ward chipped in 13 points, LaShae Watts pulled down 14 rebounds in South Charleston’s spirited effort.

Parkersburg will play University High in the Class AAA Championship game Saturday evening at 7:15 pm.

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LOOSE AND READY UNIVERSITY UPSETS GREENBRIER EAST — Joe Costa, Blue Star Media

CHARLESTON WV— The entire University High team did snow angels on the Civic Center floor, prior to their semi-final game against the No. 2 seed Greenbrier East. That display of looseness was evident throughout the entire game Friday night as the No. 3 seeded Hawks calmly dispatched Greenbrier East 56-50 to advance to Saturday’s WVSSAC State Tournament finale vs Parkersburg Saturday evening.

University shot 42.1% (16 of 38) including 5 of 12 from behind the arch, and in turn the Hawks held the Lady Spartans to 17 of 59 (28%) and only 7 of 24 from three. Greenbrier East did force 23 University High turnovers that only produced 12 Lady Spartan points, consequently, GBE’s 19 turnovers turned into 26 University points on the other end for the Hawks.

University was paced by senior, guard, Zoe Murphy and sophomore Mallory Napolillo with 12 points each, and 10 points from Abbie Coen and Ashten Boggs ripped down 15 rebounds for the Hawks.

Greenbrier East’s 5’11 forward, Haley McClure led all scorers with 24 points and 14 rebounds.

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WVSSAC Girl's State Basketball Tournament - Class 2A Semi-final Round

WYOMING EAST SHAKES OFF SLOW START TO WIN GOING AWAY— Joe Costa, Blue Star Media

CHARLESTON WV— Saying that Friday’s first Class AA semi-final between No. 2 seed Wyoming East and No. 3 seed Wayne got off to a sluggish start is the understatement of the century… After a first quarter that could have put the Sun to sleep at 9 am, the Warriors settled into a seven for 11 (64%) second quarter and took a 21-14 a lead to the locker room that they would never lose. In the end, Wyoming East was headed back to the Class AA State Championship game with a 54-29 win over Wayne.

The Warriors always play solid defense in March and today it definitely contributed greatly in the Wyoming East win. Even with senior, Whitney Sansom drilling three of her four 3-pointers in the second quarter, the Pioneers were held to a mere 23.4% from the field for the game.

Katie Daniels with 14 and Jazz Blankenship with 12 were the Warriors scoring leaders, while Brooke Russell grabbed 11 rebounds in the win.

Sansom’s 12 points were the team high for the Wayne,  Lakyn Adkins got 11 boards for the Pioneers.

Wyoming East will get the No. 1 seed, Fairmont Senior in the Class AA State final Saturday at 2:30 at the Convention and Civic Center.

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FAIRMONT SENIOR OUTLASTS FRANKFORT TO GET BACK TO THE STATE FINAL — Joe Costa, Blue Star Media

CHARLESTON WV— No. 5 Frankfort gave top-seed Fairmont Senior all they could handle early in the second Class AA semi-final Friday evening, but in the end, Senior had just too much speed and tenaciousness for the undermanned Falcons to overcome. 

With the impressive 61-38 win, Fairmont Senior advances to play Wyoming East in the Class AA final at 2:30 Saturday.

From the tip, the Polar Bears pushed Frankfort into a running game that the Falcons thought they also wanted, but soon found out they didn’t. Although Fairmont Senior’s running game may not have put up the figures they would have liked, only six fast break points, the Polar Bears pressure defense did, forcing 16 Falcon turnovers that turned into 17 points.

Fairmont Senior placed four players in double figures, senior Anysa Jordan led the Polar Bears with 13 points and 11 rebounds, while three players, seniors, Courtney Wilfong, and Abby Faulkner, along with freshman Marley Washenitz each added 10 points to the win.

Frankfort’s senior, dynamic, point-guard, Abby Beeman wrapped up her time at States fittingly leading the Falcons with 13 points, Macie Miller chipped in 10 more in the losing effort.

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WVSSAC Girl's State Basketball Tournament - Class 1A Semi-final Round

DEFENSE IS THE DIFFERENCE IN PARKERSBURG CATHOLIC WIN— Joe Costa, Blue Star Media

CHARLESTON WV— Class A No. 2 Parkersburg Catholic may not have had it’s best shooting effort, but as usual, their defense was on point as the Crusaderettes turn 26 Trinity Christian turnovers into 20 points to take  Friday’s opener from the Warriors 51-39.

The Crusaderettes’ defense locked-up on Trinity’s leading scorer senior, Reagan Sharp and held her to only 10 points, compared to the 40 point effort against Magnolia Wednesday morning.

Despite shooting only 28% for the game, including only 10 field goals in the first three quarters, four Parkersburg Catholic players tallied either double figures or close to it.

Junior, forward, Emma Gardner was the game-high scorer with 15, while Aaliyah Brunny had a terrific all-around game, she finished with 10 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, seven steals, five blocks. Sisters Madeline and Leslie Huffman each dropped in nine points to round off the top scorers for the Crusaderettes.

In addition to Sharp’s 10 points, the Warrior’s senior center, Rachel Rosen led Trinity with 12 points,14 rebounds, and six blocks.

A high-noon shootout with No. 1 seed, St. Joe’s Central is on deck for Parkersburg Catholic Saturday with a WVSSAC State Championship on the line.

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 ST. JOE’S AVENGES LAST YEAR’S TITLE LOSS WITH A DISMANTLING OF WHEELING CENTRAL— Joe Costa, Blue Star Media

CHARLESTON WV— In a rematch of last year’s Class A final No. 1 St. Joe’s routed No. 4 Wheeling Central 75-47 to advance to play No. 2 Parkersburg Catholic for this year’s title Saturday at Noon.

The Lady Irish ran out to a 16-0 first quarter lead, and except for an inspired 13-2 second-quarter run by Wheeling Central, the game was never in doubt. The St. Joe's machine was humming on all cylinders throughout Friday's version of this classic Class 1A rivalry. The St. Joe's defense forced 27 Maroon Knight turnovers that turned into a whopping 40 points.

Offensively, St. Joe’s balanced attack put five players in double figures in points, Hannah Roberts 15, and eight rebounds, seasoned freshman, Dionna Gray 14, Bailee Adkins 12, and nine steals, and seniors Dena Jarrells and Paige Shy each with 11. The Lady Irish put relentless offensive pressure on Wheeling Central as well, the fastbreak produced 18 points of its own in the win.

Wheeling Central’s do-it-all, junior guard Eden Gainer led all scorers with 26 points, while fellow junior, Kaylee Reinbeau added 14 points and 11 rebounds for the Maroon Knights.

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WVSSAC Girl's State Basketball Tournament - Class 3A Quarter-final Round

GREENBRIER EAST RALLIES PAST STUBBORN HUNTINGTON

— Joe Costa, Blue Star Media

CHARLESTON WV—With 5:20 to go in the fourth quarter of Wednesday’s first quarter-final, the hopes of a state championship looked grim for the Class AAA No. 2 seed Greenbrier East.

The Lady Spartans were down five (45-40) to No. 7 Huntington when point-guard Autumn Hill picked up her fifth personal foul but from that point on, Greenbrier East outscored the Highlanders 14-5 to grind out a hard-fought 54-50 victory.

The Lady Spartans got 16 points and 7 rebounds from junior, forward, Haley McClure, and 10 from freshman, Amya Damon. Greenbrier also got 17 of their 37 rebounds from 2 players, Emma Dotson (9) and Abbie Bartenslager (8).

Junior, Madison Slash and sophomore, LaTahia Jackson netted 14 a piece for the Highlanders in a losing effort.

Greenbrier East will play University High in the second Class 3A semi-final Friday evening at 9 pm.

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PUTTING THE FIELD ON NOTICE— Joe Costa, Blue Star Media

CHARLESTON WV— The #1 Class AAA seeded Parkersburg Big Reds showed the crowd at the Charleston Civic Center that they are back and still very hungry.

Parkersburg had no trouble with an under-matched Hampshire team, as the Big Reds rolled to an 81-18 win in the second Class AAA quarter-final of the State tournament.

The Big Reds placed four players in double figures, Shay-Lee Kirby with 18 points and 10 steals, Bre Wilson 14 points and six steals, Madi Mace with 13 points,11 rebounds and six steals, and Aleea Crites added 11 points, 11 rebounds, and eight blocked shots.

Parkersburg will continue their march towards a repeat when they play South Charleston Friday at 5:30.

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SOUTH CHARLESTON WARMS UP JUST ENOUGH  TO GET BY— Joe Costa, Blue Star Media

CHARLESTON WV— Charleston has been mired in the residue of an early March cold snap the past few days, and although it has started to recover outside, Wheeling Park and South Charleston brought that cold inside Thursday. The Patriots, the colder of the two, season came to an end 35-27.

Wheeling Park made only 8 of 40 field goals (20%), including 5 of 21 from the arch.

South Charleston didn’t fare much better at 33%, but the Black Eagles did convert when they had to, closing the game on an eight—two run.

The Black Eagles put no one in double figures, however, they did have three players with eight points apiece, Myra Cuffee, Maliha Witten, and Lavender Ward, while LaShae Watts pulled down 14 rebounds.

Shanley Woods led the Patriots with 13 points.

For their trouble, South Charleston gets to play the blazing hot No. 1 seed Parkersburg in the first Class 3A semi-final Friday evening.

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UNIVERSITY PUTS UP BIG NUMBERS IN AN EYE OPENING WIN — Joe Costa, Blue Star Media

CHARLESTON WV— University High has not been to the state tournament in a few years, so Thursday they had to re-introduce themselves to the mostly stalwart field in impressive fashion as they dispatched Martinsburg 62-38.

The Class 3A #3 seed University High got 19 points and 18 rebounds from 5’11, junior, Ashten Boggs as well as 15 points from fellow junior, Mallory Napolillo and 12 from senior, Zoe Murphy in the win. Both the Hawks defense and shooting was solid as they doubled up the Bulldogs in the goal department 23-49 (46%)- 11-47 (23%).

Martinsburg was led by Amelia Jenkins with 11 points.

In the nightcap Friday, University gets #2 seed Greenbrier East for a trip to Saturdays Class AAA Final.

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WVSSAC Girl's State Basketball Tournament - Class 2A Quarter-final Round

WAYNE SETS THE EARLY PACE TO ADVANCE

— Joe Costa, Blue Star Media

CHARLESTON WV—The Class AA No. 3 seed Wayne Pioneers used a 15-7 first quarter to set the pace to a 47-40 win over No. 6 Sissonville Thursday.

The remaining three-quarters of action was pretty even and entertaining with the Indians plus two in the second and third quarters, but that was okay with the Pioneers as they stayed steady and never allowed Sissonville to get ahead of them.

Wayne was led by senior, Lakyn Adkins with 15 points and 15 rebounds, both game-highs. Sophomore, Alana Eves chipped in 11 points and 4 steals, while Jasmine Tabor added eight for the Pioneers.

Sissonville had two players in double digits, junior Alexis Bailey scored 13 points, and senior, Laila Arthur posted 11 in the losing effort.

Wayne now plays No. 2, Wyoming East in the first Class 2A semi-final Friday morning at 11:15.

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HOT SHOOTING STOKES WYOMING EAST TO WIN

— Joe Costa, Blue Star Media

CHARLESTON WV— Class AA No. 2 seed Wyoming East shot a healthy 55% in the first quarter of the second Class AA quarter-final Thursday and cruised to a 53-31 win vs No. 7 Bridgeport.

Wyoming East doled out the scoring pretty evenly, with Brooke Russell leading the way with 17 points, Katie Daniels had 11, and seniors Emily Saunders and Jazz Blankenship added nine apiece.

Bridgeport was paced by team leading scorer Emily Riggs with 11 points and Paige Humble with 10.

Wyoming East will now face Wayne in the first Class 2A  semi-final Friday at 11:15 am.

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IT WASN’T PRETTY, BUT FAIRMONT SENIOR MOVES ON

— Joe Costa, Blue Star Media

CHARLESTON WV— Class AA No. 1 Fairmont Senior shot a miserable 17% (2-12) in the second quarter, and 15% (4-26) in the third Thursday in the third Class AA quarter-final.

Fortunately, the Polar Bears’ defensive pressure beat down No. 8 Bluefield allowing only two field goals (2-21) in the entire second half. Fairmont Senior’s defense allowed better, easier chances at the basket and was able to shoot a more formidable 40% in the fourth enabling the Polar Bears to pull away to a 50-32 victory.

Senior, forward Abby Faulkner led the Polar Bears scoring charge with 14 points, and nine rebounds, while freshman phenom, Marley Washenitz added 13 points and 11 rebounds. Senior, forward Anysa Jordan scored nine points and ripped down 13 boards.

Bluefield junior, point-guard, Jaisah Smith was the game-high scorer with 18 points.

Fairmont Senior will next play No. 5 Frankfort in the second Class 2A semi-final Friday at 7:15 pm.

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FRANKFORT DEFENSE STIFFENS, PULLS AWAY LATE 

— Joe Costa, Blue Star Media

CHARLESTON WV— Class AA No. 5 seed Frankfort put the defensive clamps on No. 4 Lincoln in the second half, holding the Cougars to 1 of 19 (5%) shooting to pull away to a 46-38 win Thursday evening.

The Falcons didn’t shoot the ball all that well either but Frankfort still was able to put two players in double figure. Senior, Abby Beeman scored 16 points and also added eight rebounds and 6 steals, while junior, Makenna Douthitt added 12 points and 11 rebounds in the win.

Lincoln was paced by sophomore, Victoria Sturm with 13 points and junior, Brynne Williams who tossed in eight points and had nine rebounds.

Frankfort will meet No. 1 Fairmont Senior in the second Class 2A semi-final Friday at 7:15 pm.

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WVSSAC Girl's State Basketball Tournament - Class 1A Quarter-final Round

GETTING THE POINTS AND THE WIN— Joe Costa, Blue Star Media

CHARLESTON WV— Class A #3 seeded Magnolia and #6 Trinity Christian kicked off the 2019 WVSSAC Girls State Basketball Tournament Wednesday morning with an entertaining scoring exhibition put on by a player from each team.

Trinity Christian’s senior, guard, Reagan Sharp shot a blistering 59% (13-22) from the field and was 12 of 14 from the line as she posted 40 points to lead the Lady Warriors to a 65-57 win in the first Class A quarter-final. Fellow senior, Leighton Croft added 10 points for the Lady Warriors in the win.

Magnolia’s 6-3, sophomore, center, Mady Winter outscored Sharp by five points (45) as she dominated the painted area, but in the end, Winter did not get enough help to get the Blue Eagles a victory.

Trinity Christian will play Parkersburg Catholic in the first Class A semi-final Friday at 9:30 am at the Convention Center.

Trinity gets #2 Parkersburg Catholic on Friday in the first Class A Semi-final at 9:30 am.

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RUNNING DOWN A VICTORY— Joe Costa, Blue Star Media

CHARLESTON WV— #2 Parkersburg Catholic walked into Wednesday’s second Class A Semi-final on a mission in 2019, they left this tournament last year with a heartbreaking two-point loss to this same Summers County, the Crusaderettes planned on leaving no doubt this time.

The Crusaderettes seemed to never tire during the game, running on every offensive opportunity and forcing a feverish pace defensively. The pressure obviously wore on Summers County as the game progressed, Parkersburg Catholic forced 35 Summers County turn-overs, that turned into 33 points and the Crusaderettes ran away with a 70-54 win.

Parkersburg Catholic was led by junior, Madeline Huffman’s 27 points on 10 of 15 shooting including four 3-pointers. 6-foot, Sophomore, Aaliyah Brunny added 20 points, 10 rebounds, 7 steals, and 5 assists, while younger Huffman sister, Leslie, a freshman, chipped in with 12 points, and 6 steals.

Summers County’s sophomores Taylor Issacs and Gavin Pivont paced the Bobcats with 20 and 18 points respectively in the loss.

#2 Parkersburg Catholic now gets #6 Trinity Christian Friday in the first Class A Semi-final at 9:30 am. Earlier in the day, the 6th seeded Lady Warriors pulled the upset over the #3 seed Magnolia 65-54.

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LADY IRISH MAKE A STATE-MENT— Joe Costa, Blue Star Media

CHARLESTON WV— #1 seeded St. Joseph Central made it loud and clear Wednesday evening that they are here and to be not only seen but heard with a lopsided 74-29 win over #8 Midland Trail.

The Lady Irish controlled this game off the tip with a lay-up and never stopped. St. Joe’s forced 33 Lady Patriots turn-overs that produced 32 St. Joe’s points and held Midland Trail to a measly 24.4% shooting for the game.

Senior, Dena Jarrells was the game-high scorer with 20 points and 7 steals for the Lady Irish, while fellow senior Paige shy added 18 points and junior Bailee Adkins put up 14.

The Lady Patriots were paced by senior, Laurel Johnson’s 13 points and 7 rebounds.

Next up St. Joe’s gets Wheeling Central in a rematch of last year’s Class A championship game.

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WHEELING CENTRAL GETS BACK TO BASICS— Joe Costa, Blue Star Media

CHARLESTON WV— In a radio interview moments after Wednesday’s Class A quarter-final win vs Tucker County, Wheeling Central coach Penn Kurtz mentioned that a few games ago, he knew that his team was giving up far too many points-per-game this season. Kurtz knew if the Maroon Knights were going to get back to Charleston to defend their Class A title, his team would have to get back to the basic man-to-man defense that made the Maroon Knights a dangerous team to play during his tenure.

Tonight, Wheeling Central did just that and posted an impressive 30-point win against a solid Tucker County crew 69-39. The Maroon Knights held Tucker County to 30% shooting, defended the 3-point line (1-7), and forced 16 turn-overs leading to 18 Wheeling Central points.

5’8 Junior, Eden Gainer, the Maroon Knights’ multi-faceted guard has been on a tear lately, and that wave continued Wednesday as Gainer, who played with the flu, tallied 26 points (4 of 6 from the 3-point line, and 8 of 8 from the stripe), 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 6 steals. Fellow junior, Kaylee Reinbeau’s 18 points, and 9 rebounds along with Sophomore Marisa Horan’s 13 points rounded out Wheeling Central’s three players in double digits.

Wheeling Central advances to play the team they beat in last year’s championship game, St. Joe’s Central Friday afternoon.

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