The Inter-Mountain photo by Joey Kittle Elkins’ Cory Harper attempts to escape Tygarts Valley defenders Ethan McGee, left, and Riley Tackett Wednesday night at Weber-Wamsley Court in Mill Creek. Harper scored 20 points in the Tigers’ 64-45 win.

The Inter-Mountain photo by Joey Kittle
Elkins’ Cory Harper attempts to escape Tygarts Valley defenders Ethan McGee, left, and Riley Tackett Wednesday night at Weber-Wamsley Court in Mill Creek. Harper scored 20 points in the Tigers’ 64-45 win.

MILL CREEK — A pair of second-half runs and Cory Harper’s 20 points helped Class AAA, No. 5 Elkins get past Class A, No. 10 Tygarts Valley, 64-45, Wednesday night in a clash of Randolph County schools at Weber-Wamsley Court.

In the regular-season finale for both squads and played in a front of a sold-out crowd, the Tigers never trailed in leading 18-8 after one quarter and 33-20 at halftime.

Elkins came out of the intermission on a 9-2 run to push the lead to 20 points as Harper fired in a 3-pointer and converted a conventional three-point play, while Jayden Shreve added a basket and free throw.

Trailing 44-28 after three quarters, Tygarts Valley responded in the final frame behind freshman Kaden Moore and Riley Tackett to cut the margin to 52-42 with 4 minutes remaining.

But the Tigers answered with a game-clinching 7-0 run and Tygarts Valley came no closer.

Malachi Watson followed Harper with 15 points in the win.

Moore came off the bench to bucket 14 points and collect a pair of steals to pace the Bulldogs.

Ezra Scott added 11 points and four rebounds, Riley Tackett nine points and six rebounds and Jordan Phillips six caroms and two assists.

Leading scorer Garrett Gibson, who battled foul trouble in the second half, finished with six points, five rebounds and five steals.

Tygarts Valley (13-7) will entertain Harman in Class A, Region 1, Section 2 semifinal play at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Elkins (18-4) is the top seed in the Class AAA, Region II, Section 2 tournament and will host the winner of Saturday’s game between Liberty and Lewis County at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the semifinals.

Elkins (18-4)

Andy Shiflett 2 0-0 5, Max Jackson 1 0-2 2, Aaron O’Neill 2 0-0 5, Cory Harper 8 1-1 20, Tanner Miller 1 0-2 2, Addison McCauley 3 0-2 6, Jayden Shreve 3 1-2 7, Malachi Watson 7 0-0 15, Jacob Bender 1 0-0 2. Totals 28 2-9 64

Tygarts Valley (13-7)

Ezra Scott 4 0-0 11, Garrett Gibson 3 0-2 6, Jordan Phillips 0 1-2 1, Ethan McGee 1 2-2 4, Riley Tackett 4 1-2 9, Kaden Moore 6 2-2 14. Totals 18 6-10 45

Elkins 18 15 11 20 — 64

Tygarts Valley 8 12 8 15 — 45

3-point goals: Ellkins 7 (Harper 3, Shiflett, O’Neill and Watson), Tygarts Valley 3 (Scott 3)