Panthers Get Big Win At Bluefield
The top ranked (Class A) Tug Valley Panthers finished up their gauntlet of a week with a huge road win over the 3rd ranked (Class AA) Bluefield Beavers at Bluefield High School on Saturday afternoon.
It was the Panthers' second win in less than 24 hours over a ranked opponent as they defeated 7th ranked (Class A) Tucker County the previous night in Naugatuck. Overall, the Panthers were 3-1 on the week with four games in five days. They were 2-1 against ranked West Virginia teams and also got a win over a Belfry team that currently has 20 wins.
The Panthers (15-5) came out in the first quarter and took the early lead, thanks in part to 7 points from Carson Newsome, to hold an 18-15 lead. Tug Valley extended its lead in the second quarter as Braydun Ferris scored 8 and Zade Rash added 7 points to stretch the lead to 41-28 at the intermission.
Bluefield (13-5) rallied back in the third period behind 9 points from Jase Smith to cut the Panther lead to 56-48 heading into the final frame. The Beavers would continue to cut down on the Panthers' lead, but some big buckets from Bryson Elia, Preston May and Newsome kept the team holding onto a slim lead. And Cameron Slone slammed the door shut by hitting 7-of-8 free throws in the game's final minutes.
As a team, Tug Valley hit 11-of-12 free throws, with all attempts coming in the fourth quarter. The Panthers battled foul trouble all game with 23 team fouls compared to Bluefield's 14. Bluefield committed 7 of those fouls in the fourth quarter while trying to mount a comeback. All of Tug Valley's starters finished with 4 fouls.
Ferris led the Panthers with 20 points and 3 steals. Newsome followed with 17 points and 6 rebounds. Slone had 15 points and 4 assists. Rash netted 9 points. May scored 8 points and grabbed 5 rebounds. Elia finished with 4 points.
Tug Valley will close out its regular season on Tuesday at home in a match up against the Man Hillbillies.
PHOTO CREDIT: Karen Watts
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