Fort Gay, W. Va. — For the first time since 2016 the Tolsia Rebels are Section champions after dispatching Tug Valley 49-39 Thursday at a rockin’ Rebel arena in the Region 4 Section 1 title game.
First Section title since 2016
Front L to R Kylie Carpenter, Panyasiri Thongthip, Desiree Keene, Natalie Sexton, Jada Salmons, Ella Hatfield , Mia Ricalde, Isabella Kitts, Aaron Fletcher
Middle L to R Jennifer Jude, Ernie Richardson, Kaylee Johnson, Jaycee Crum, Julie Young, Mackenzie Cassell, Sara Sturgell, Amber Stevens, Megan Clayton, Kiley Preece, Emily Artrip, Autumn Block, Kerigan Salmons, Courtney Fletcher
Back L to R Riley Lyvers, Jake Arbaugh, Ric Morrone
Tolsia was led by Kerigan Salmons with 15 points, Autumn Block tallied 13 points, Amber Stevens 9 points, Julie Young added 6 points, Emily Artrip netted 3 points, Jaycee Crum chipped in with 2 points, Kilee Preece had 1 point.
Coach Morrone and his staff giving instructions during a timeout in the fourth quarter Thursday.
The Rebels hit 2 three pointers and went 15 of 29 from the free throw line.
Tug Valley was led by Haven Deskins with 15 points, Kenzie Browning 12 points, Bailee Hall 11 points, Hailey Gillman 1 point.
The Panthers hit 5 three pointers and went 6 of 23 from the free throw line.
TVHS 1 14 11 13 = 39
THS 11 15 12 11 = 49
The Rebels will host Huntington St. Joe ( 10-13 ) on Thursday in the Region 4 Co-Final at 7:00. The winner will head to Charleston for the Class A State Tournament.
Tug Valley ( 8-10 ) will travel to Gilmer Co. ( 14-10 ) on Thursday at 7:00 for the Region 4 Co-Final. The winner will be in the Class A State Tournament.
Seniors Autumn Block and Kerigan Salmons have been leaders all year for the Rebels.
Tolsia Head Coach Ric Morrone
COACH’S COMMENTS
“… I got a lot of respect for Coach Farley who is retiring after this season and Tug Valley who has a great program. They won the state title two years ago and have dominated our section for years.”
“… So proud of our team, what an effort on the defensive end and total team effort to get this win. I challenge our girls and told them they we were going to play the man to man and boy did they respond. We held them to one point in the first quarter and that unheard of. I told them that defense will travel when the shots aren’t going in. So so proud of them tonight. We got into some foul trouble but our freshman Kilee Preece and Jaycee Crum come off the bench and really stepped up. So proud of everyone, it has been a fun year and we will have another tough challenge next week when St. Joe comes into Rebel Arena. They are very talented.”
“… Our defense really bailed us out in the end, we missed three straight front ends of the one and one. These girls have found a way all year and really want that trip to Charleston. We are excited to be at Rebel Arena next week and all the Rebel faithful will join us just like they did tonight. It was a great atmosphere on both sides and it was clean from both fan bases. They had a student section behind our bench and I love it and the girls fed off if that as well. This is what Lady Rebel basketball is about and this is why you put the orange and blue on for nights like tonight.”
