The 3rd-ranked (Class A) Tug Valley Panthers jumped on the scoreboard early and never let up as they rolled past the Mingo Central Miners, 69-47, on Tuesday in Naugatuck.
The Panthers (14-3) jumped out quickly, leading the Miners (7-12), 16-10, after the opening period. Tug Valley extended the lead to 33-20 at the intermission. The Panthers put the game away in the third period by outscoring the Miners, 22-13, to take a 55-33 lead heading into the final quarter. The Panthers cruised from there.
Joey Gollihue led the Panthers with 16 points. Ashton Davis followed with 15 points. Braydun Ferris fired in 13 points. Buddy Marcum dropped in 10 points. Kaden Hale had 4 points. Johnathan Wagner added 3 points. Brady Brewer, Bryson Elia, Paul Preece and Parker Davis finished with 2 points each.
Malaki Sheppard led the Miners with 15 points. Jake Cline followed with 12 points. Ethan Thomason netted 11 points. Chris Ross added 5 points. Caden Porter finished with 4 points.
Tug Valley will next play on Wednesday by taking on 2nd-ranked (Class A) Webster County in the Par Mar Shootout at West Virginia State University in Institute. The opening tip is set for 1 pm.
Mingo Central will play at Lincoln County on Friday at 7:30 pm.
Mingo Central (47) – Malaki Sheppard 15, Jake Cline 12, Ethan Thomason 11, Chris Ross 5, Caden Porter 4
Tug Valley (69) – Joey Gollihue 16, Ashton Davis 15, Braydun Ferris 13, Buddy Marcum 10, Kaden Hale 4, Johnathan Wagner 3, Brady Brewer 2, Bryson Elia 2, Paul Preece 2, Parker Davis 2
Photo Courtesy of Karen Watts