The 3rd-ranked (Class A) Tug Valley Panthers rallied in the fourth quarter and then pulled out a win in overtime over the Shelby Valley Wildcats, 69-66, on Saturday in the Hatfield McCoy Shootout at the Williamson Field House.
Shelby Valley (15-7) jumped out to a 16-12 lead in the first quarter before Tug Valley (13-3) battled back to take a 31-28 lead at the half. The Wildcats fought back and took control in the third period, outscoring the Panthers, 22-11, to take a 50-42 advantage.
The Panthers fought back and took a 66-65 lead in the final moments, but a steal and foul put Shelby Valley’s Preston Johnson on the foul line with 4.8 seconds remaining. Johnson made the first free throw to tie it up but missed the second. Tug Valley’s Joey Gollihue missed a shot as time expired, and the game went into overtime. Ashton Davis hit a baseline jumper only 8 seconds into the overtime period. It was the only field goal in the extra session as Gollihue hit a free throw with a few seconds left to make it a 69-66 Panther lead. Shelby Valley missed a 3-point attempt at the buzzer.
Parker Davis led Tug Valley with 27 points. Gollihue followed with 19 points. Ashton Davis fired in 12 points. Kaden Hale added 5 points. Buddy Marcum dropped in 4 points. Johnathan Wagner chipped in 2 points.
Parker Davis was named the D&D Sports Player of the Game.
Shelby Valley was paced by Preston Johnson’s 23 points Ethan Stykes followed with 14 points. Russ Osborne fired in 12 points. Colier Fuller and Caleb Lovins added 7 points each. Bruce Coleman finished with 3 points.
Tug Valley will next play on Tuesday at home against county-rival Mingo Central at 7:30 pm. Shelby Valley will play at East Ridge on Tuesday at 7:30 pm.
Shelby Valley (66) – Preston Johnson 23, Ethan Stykes 14, Russ Osborne 12, Colier Fuller 7, Caleb Lovins 7, Bruce Coleman 3
Tug Valley (69) – Parker Davis 27, Joey Gollihue 19, Ashton Davis 12, Kaden Hale 5, Buddy Marcum 4, Johnathan Wagner 2
Photo Courtesy of Karen Watts
