Strong defense fuels Tigers over Preston
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ELKINS -- Class AAA, No. 4 Elkins utilized pressure defense to cruise to a 75-47 win over Preston Tuesday night at Richard P. Simmons Memorial Gymnasium.
It was the first win of the season for the Tigers, who fell to Class AA, No. 6 Chapmanville at home on Saturday.
Leading 19-12 midway through the second quarter, Elkins embarked on a 9-0 run to take control in building a 34-14 halftime lead.
Cory Harper drilled a trey and hit one of two from the free-throw line to start the run and Ben Baines' dunk off a nice pass from Max Jackson made it a 13-point cushion.
Brock Holland then hit a 3-pointer to extend the margin to 28-12.
The Tigers' full-court pressure forced numerous Preston turnovers over the final 3 minutes of the half and into second half as an 8-0 run to start the third frame put Elkins in complete control.
"We did a good job of turning them over by being very disciplined in our traps and allowing guys to anticipate and intercept for transition baskets," Tigers coach Amrit Rayfield said. "We really shared the ball also, and the second and third quarters were big for us."
Harper had 22 points, Jackson 12 and Malachi Watson and Addison McCauley 11 each for EHS, which hosts Liberty Thursday.
Preston (47)
Cordell Ayers 0 1-2 1, Ryan Rosenberger 1 0-0 3, Brier Rugg 0 2-2 2, Dillon Taylor 2 0-0 6, Brady McNew 1 0-0 2, Zach Ferrell 3 0-0 8, Kaden Bachtel 2 3-4 7, Tristan Smith 3 0-0 8, Kaden Hayes 3 0-0 8, Slaton Manko 0 2-2 2. Totals 15 8-10 47
Elkins (75)
Max Jackson 5 1-2 12, Caleb Ray 0 1-2 1, Aaron O'Neill 1 0-0 2, Cory Harper 7 3-5 22, Tanner Miller 3 1-2 6, Addison McCauley 4 2-4 11, Ben Baines 1 3-4 5, Malachi Watson 4 1-1 11, Brock Holland 2 0-0 5. Totals 26 12-20 75
Preston 8 6 13 20 -- 47
Elkins 16 18 21 10 -- 75
3-point goals: PHS 9 (T. Smith, Taylor Ferrell and Hayes 2, Rosenberger), EHS 12 (Harper 5, Watson 2, Jackson, Miller, McCauley and Holland)