FT. GAY, W.VA. — Tolsia Freshman Jesse Muncy hit a long three pointer with 4.9 seconds left to catapult the Rebels ( 3-2 ) to a 44-41 victory over heated rival Tug Valley ( 2-2 ) for the the first time since 2006 in front of a packed out Rebel Arena crowd Tuesday night.
Muncy, who lit up Lawrence Co. and Huntington last week for 59 points, struggled in this one until hitting the game winner and finished with 10 points.
Tug Valley started the game on a 7-2 run and looked like the trend would continue for the Rebels against their bitter rival. Tolsia ended the first quarter on a 9-6 run to make it 13-11 after one. Rob Cantrell who was battling sickness and Jacob Mollette hit huge three pointers.
In the second quarter the Rebels found their stride and out scored the Panthers 17-8 as six different players dented the scoreboard and Tolsia sprinted to a 28-21 lead at half as the Rebel Arena crowd roared in appreciation.
In the third quarter Tug Valley cut into the lead by out scoring the Rebels 9-5 to set the margin at 33-30 heading to the final stanza.
In a wild fourth quarter Tug Valley took their first lead of the game since early in the second quarter 38-37 with 2 minutes left. Jacob Mollette found Austin Salmons cutting to the basket for layup and then hit 2 free throws to put the Rebels up 41-38 with 1:00 minute left. Panther Freshman big man Ethan Colegrove cleared out some space for a three points play with 32 seconds left to tie it up at 41 before Jesse Muncy went to work and won the ballgame 44-41.
Tolsia Senior Jacob Mollette led the Rebels with 13 points, Muncy hit 2 three pointers for 10 points, Rob Cantrell finished with 9 points, Austin Salmons tallied 6 points, Tyler Johnson hit a three pointer for his only points, Gavin Meadows scored 2 points and Braxton Williams hit a free throw.
THS hit 7 three pointers and went 7-16 from the charity stripe.
Tug Valley was led by Ethan Colegrove with 12 points, Tyler Chaffin, Caleb May and Zach Savage with 8 points each, Easton Davis 3 points and Joby Sorrell 2 points.
TVHS hit 2 three pointers and 7-16 went from the line.
TVHS 13 8 9 11 = 41
THS 11 17 5 11 = 44
Tolsia will return to action on Friday night when they travel to Sherman ( 0-3 ). Tug Valley will travel to Westside ( 1-3 ) on Friday.
Tolsia Head Coach Todd Maynard
COACH’S COMMENTS
“… It was a battle out there tonight, we came into the game knowing they had a big bruiser in Ethan Colegrove and we just trying to limit his touches by throwing different defenses at him. Our kids fought all night long. Most of the kids on our team hasn’t beat Tug Valley at any level including a 60 point loss in Naugatuck last year on senior night.”
“ … We didn’t shoot the ball very well tonight, we average 72 points per game and sometimes our defense hasn’t been very good but to hold them to 41 points is pretty special, so proud of our kids from top to bottom. I don’t care how we win as long as we win.”
“… I would like to say I called that play but that was all him. We did want to spread the floor for him and make a play, either make the shot or go to overtime. I just didn’t expect him to shoot it from the student parking lot. The thing about Muncy he is so competitive and that every shot is going in even though he struggled for most of the night.”
“… This is a huge win for us as a program, The Tug Valley/Tolsia rivalry is something to behold. When I got here I had no idea how big it was. I wanted it for our kids and fans.”
“… You can really see the culture in our program changing and this win tonight just solidifies that even more. Our kids are really starting to believe as well. The atmosphere the last three games has been unreal and we expect that each and every game in Rebel Arena. Our fans have been awesome so far.”
Tolsia Freshman Jesse Muncy
PLAYER COMMENT
“… No I wasn’t giving it up, I was going to drive and then he started to sag so I pulled up and drilled it. When I turned around the crowd went wild people jumping up and down.”
“… This is a big big rivalry game and one the reasons I wanted to wear the orange and blue. Awesome atmosphere go glad we came out on top. We didn’t shoot or play very well but all of our guys battled all night.”
