The Inter-Mountain photo by Joey Kittle Elkins make its first appearance in the state tourney in 23 years Thursday morning against Ripley.

CHARLESTON — For the first time in 23 years, Elkins will take to the court for the boy state tournament Thursday morning inside the Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center.

The sixth-seeded Tigers (16-9) battle No. 3 Ripley at 9:30 a.m. in Class AAA state quarterfinal play.

Both teams come to Charleston with momentum, as Elkins has reeled off five straight victories, including defeating East Fairmont in a co-regional final.

The Vikings have captured seven straight games. They are led in scoring by senior center Luke Johnson, who is averaging 22 points and 11 rebounds.

Junior Brady Anderson chips in 13 points per contest.

The senior-laden Tigers of head coach Amrit Rayfield have three players averaging in double figures.

Swingman Cory Harper and power forward Malachi Watson, who leads the squad in rebounding, are hitting for 14 points per night, while fellow senior Tanner Miller is averaging 10 points from the point guard spot.

Senior guard Max Jackson and junior Brock Holland, who gives the team another 3-point threat, round out the probable starting lineup.

Seniors Ben Baines, Aaron O’Neill and Addison McCauley are the top players off the bench, along with seniors Jack Bragg and Hunter Harlan, and juniors Griffin Boggs and Caleb Ray.

The winner of Thursday morning’s contest faces either top-seed Shady Spring or No. 8 Hampshire in the semifinals at 9 p.m. on Friday.

The remainder of Thursday’s quarterfinal games include No. 2 Fairmont Senior vs. No. 7 North Marion at 1 p.m., followed by Shady Spring vs. Hampshire at 1 p.m. and No. 4 Herbert Hoover vs. No. 5 Scott at 9 p.m.

The Tigers depart for Charleston this evening, with the team getting a send-off parade set for 5 p.m. that will begin at Wimer Field and proceed down Davis Avenue.