Hurricane, W. Va. — Missing a starter and losing another one in the first half was too much to overcome for Tolsia ( 12-12 ) in a 89-74 loss to Van ( 5-17 ) in the semifinals of the Region 4 Section 2 tournament at Hurricane High School on Tuesday night.
Van raced out to a 12-5 lead before the Rebels closed out the first period on a 10-0 run to lead 15-12 after one. Early in the second quarter Tolsia Junior Zack Ball who has battled an ankle injury for a few weeks came down awkwardly and would not return to the game. Van took advantage leading by seven after Jacob Jarrell V in a long three pointer for a 36-29 lead at the half.
DXhe Bulldogs continued the run into the second half scoring the first seven points for a 43-29 lead prompting a Tolsia timeout.
The Rebels made a couple different runs in the second half and closed within five points on one occasions but couldn’t get enough stops to complete the comeback.
Jesse Muncy led the Rebels with 33 points, Austin Salmons tallied 17 points, Tyler Johnson scored 13 points, Steven Ward 6 points, Blake Sturgell 4 points and 6 steals, Anthony Lovins 3 points.
Tolsia hit 5 three pointers and went 19 of 24 from the charity stripe.
Van was led by David Stewart with 24 points, Jacob Jarrell 19 points, Austin Javins 15 points, Hunter McMicken 10 points, Shawn Booth 9 points, Kalen Booth 6 points, Byron Stewart 6 points.
The Bulldogs made 3 three pointers and went 22 of 32 from the charity stripe.
VHS 12 24 22 32 = 89
THS 15 14 18 27 = 74
Tolsia only loses Blake Sturgell off of this team and should be right back in the hunt for a state tournament berth next year.
Van will play #1 seed Tug Valley Friday at 7:00 for the Section championship after the Panthers beat Buffalo 64-52 in the first game Tuesday.
Tolsia Head Coach Todd Maynard
COACH’S COMMENT
“… Give Van all of the credit they deserved to win the game. They out coached and out played us from the tip. We gave it all we had in the second half and they kept answering us every time. We got it to five points a couple times but couldn’t get any closer.”
“… It has been a tough year for us battling injuries, sickness and stuff off the court as well. To finish at 12-12 was a little bit of a disappointment but I thought the kids played so hard all season long and did everything that we asked them. Going to miss Blake next year, he came so far and I hate that he is graduating. We are going to get back to work as soon as possible. This defeat should leave a bad taste in everyone’s mouth and come back next year better than ever.”
