Third-quarter run lifts Panthers over Mountain Lions

Tucker County finishes as state runner-ups for third straight season after 65-45 setback in title tilt

CHARLESTON -- Top-seed Tug Valley went on a 17-0 run to start the third quarter en route to a 65-45 win over second-seed Tucker County Saturday night in the Class A championship game inside the Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center.

It was the third straight season the Mountain Lions lost in the title game as the Panthers repeated as state champions.

Tucker County trailed 15-11 after one quarter and 26-22 at halftime.

But it was all Tug Valley in the second half.

Ashton Davis scored seven of his 10 points during the game-changing run as the Panthers built a 43-22 advantage. They carried a 50-31 lead into the final quarter.

The Mountain Lions, however, continued to battle in the final frame, getting within 14, at 53-39, after Xander Lambert's jumper with 3:51 to play.

But they came no closer the remainder of the evening.

Seniors Garrett Wilfong and Trevan Bonner led Tucker County.

Wilfong, who was battling an ankle injury suffered in the quarterfinal win over Magnolia, finished with 17 points and 14 rebounds.

"What a tough kid," Mountain Lions coach Daniel Helmick said of Wilfong. "It (his ankle) was really swollen up (on Friday).

"We really battled in the first half and it's hard to continue guarding like we did in the opening half. (Tug Valley) has five kids that can all dribble and shoot."

Bonner added 12 points and eight rebounds.

Braydun Ferris fired in 27 points and dished out three assists for the Panthers, while Kaden Hale added 15.

Tucker County ended the season with a 21-3 record.

The other champions crowned on Saturday included Spring Valley (AAAA), Bridgeport (AAA) and Wheeling Central (AA).

Tucker County (21-3)

Mikey Mitchell 1 0-2 3, Trevan Bonner 5 1-2 12, Xander Lambert 2 2-2 6, Sam Marks 1 0-0 3, Garrett Wilfong 6 4-4 17, Ethan Cummings 1 0-0 2, Cayden Arnold 0 2-4 2, Emmett Felton 0 0-0 0, Cole Carr 0 0-0 0, Drew Simmons 0 0-0 0, Nate Davis 0 0-0 0. Totals 16 9-14 45

Tug Valley (25-2)

Bryson Elia 3 0-0 7, Braydun Ferris 12 0-0 27, Ashton Davis 3 3-4 10, Kaden Hale 6 1-2 15, Cameron Sloan 1 0-0 2, Braxton Farley 1 0-0 2, Ethan Ferrell 1 0-0 2, Carson Newsome 0 0-0 0, Braxton Perry 0 0-0 0, Jace Hale 0 0-0 0. Totals 27 4-6 65

Tucker County 11 11 9 14 -- 45

Tug Valley 15 11 24 15 -- 65

3-point goals: Tucker County 4 (Mitchell, Bonner, Marks and Wilfong), Tug Valley 7 (Ferris 3, Hale 2 Elia and Davis)