State berth on the line for Tigers tonight
EHS hosts Grafton in Class AAA, Region 2 co-final action
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The Inter-Mountain photo by Joey Kittle
Elkins will host Grafton at 7 p.m. today in a Class AAA, Region II co-final. The winner advances to next week's state tournament.
ELKINS -- A trip to the state tournament is on the line when Elkins entertains Grafton in a Class AAA, Region II co-final at 7 p.m. today at Richard P. Simmons Memorial Gymnasium.
The Tigers enter the clash with a 21-3 record -- one of those losses coming to the Bearcats back in January, which was also the lone home setback of the season for EHS.
"We have a tough test ahead of us," Elkins head coach Amrit Rayfield said. "(Grafton) is well-coached and has one of the best players in the (Big 10) conference (Ryan Maier).
"We're looking forward to the opportunity to play them again."
Maier fired in 30 points in the first meeting between the schools as the Bearcats (17-7) pulled away in the second half for a 65-53 win.
"We will have to really be locked in defensively and do a better job of taking care of the ball and finishing on the offensive end to earn our way to Charleston," Rayfield said.
Two of the best players in the Big 10 will be on display in Maier and junior Cory Harper, who leads the Tigers in scoring at 19.9 points per game.
Harper is joined in the probable starting lineup by junior guards Tanner Miller (12.6 ppg.) and Max Jackson (4.3), senior guard Jayden Shreve (9.0) and junior forward Malachi Watson (9.6).
Junior forward Addison McCauley has provided key points off the bench.
"Our guys have worked extremely hard and have had an exceptional season up to this point," Rayfield said. "They're a phenomenal group of young men. It would make it even more special to be the regional champs and represent Elkins (High School) and our community in Charleston next week."
Elkins advanced with a win over Robert C. Byrd in the section 2 title game, while Fairmont Senior rallied in the second half to upend Grafton for the section 1 crown.
A capacity crowd is expected for tonight's contest, and the attendance has been capped to 1,300.
Tickets can be purchased by going to the link https://gofan.co/app/school/WVSSAC.
"We are looking forward to playing in a great atmosphere," Rayfield said. "Our home fans have been absolutely awesome all season."