The Tug Valley Panthers took control of the game in the first half and never looked back as they downed the Mingo Central Miners, 67-38, on Tuesday up on Miner Mountain.
The Panthers (6-0) jumped out to a 20-14 lead in the first quarter behind 5 points each from Braydun Ferris and Buddy Marcum. Tug Valley took control of the game in the second period by outscoring Mingo Central (3-6), 15-4, to take a 35-18 lead into the locker room at the half.
Tug Valley kept stretching out its lead in the second half and held a 51-29 advantage heading into the fourth quarter. The Panthers outscored the Miners, 16-9, in the final frame to get the win.
Ferris led the Panthers with 19 points and 4 assists. Ashton Davis followed with 13 points and 5 rebounds. Bryson Elia added 12 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists. Marcum scored 7 points, pulled down 9 rebounds and dished out 3 assists. Kaden Hale netted 6 points. Evan Bryant, Dereck Jewell, Cameron Slone, Carson Newsome and Ben Brumfield finished with 2 points each in the win.
Kendan Trent paced the Miners with 11 points and 7 rebounds. Khoner Bradford followed with 6 points. Caden Porter added 5 points. Aidan Burke, Chris Ross, Body Dotson and Ethan Thomason finished with 4 points apiece.
Tug Valley will next play at Logan on Saturday in a match up with the Wildcats in the Willie Akers Classic at Willie Akers Arena. The opening tip is scheduled for 8:30 pm.
Mingo Central is scheduled to play at Bluefield on Saturday at 2 pm.
Photos Courtesy of Samantha Waine
