Lady Colts headed back to states
Philip Barbour outlasts RCB, 46-43, in overtime; Will face Big 10 foe East Fairmont next Thursday
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CLARKSBURG -- Philip Barbour coach Rick Mouser knew coming into the season one of his team's strengths was a will to win the big games.
The roster is made up of players from the school's highly successful volleyball and soccer teams, two-time state champions and two-time state runner-ups, respectively.
So after battling adversity the entire game, the Lady Colts didn't flinch in outlasting Robert C. Byrd, 46-43, in a Class AAA, Region II co-final Wednesday night.
Philip Barbour trailed the entire night, 13-8 after one quarter, 19-12 at halftime and 28-24 entering the final canto.
The lead for the Lady Flying Eagles grew to as many as eight points, at 35-27, in the fourth quarter before the Lady Colts mounted their rally.
Three-pointers from senior Averi Carpenter and junior LaDonna Herron ignited Philip Barbour on a 13-5 run over the final 4 minutes of regulation to send the game into overtime tied at 40-40 after senior Mattie Marsh's putback with :40 left tied the game.
In the extra session, Braylyn Sparks, who had 17 points on the night, was 4-of-4 from the free-throw line over the final minute of play.
The junior guard hit two foul shots with :58 left to make it 44-43 after RCB had taken the lead on a trey by junior Martina Howe.
After the Lady Colts forced a turnover on the other end, Sparks knocked down two more with 4.7 ticks remaining, and then collected a steal on the inbound play to secure the win.
Howe led the Lady Flying Eagles, who ended the season 20-4, with 16 points, while senior Avery Childers chipped in 13 points -- all coming in the second half.
Carpenter added nine points, all on 3-pointers, and Marsh and sophomore MacKenna Halfin six each in the win.
Philip Barbour also defeated RCB in last year's co-regional final in Clarksburg to earn its first-ever state tourney appearance.
The Lady Colts (14-10) make their second trip to the Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center at 9:30 a.m. Thursday against a familiar foe in East Fairmont.
Philip Barbour is the sixth seed and the Lady Bees, who defeated Lincoln to advance, are the third seed.
The teams met in the sectional title game, with East Fairmont taking a 66-48 victory.
The Lady Colts trailed by one late in the third quarter before the Lady Bees pulled away at home.