Fort Gay, W. Va. — When bitter rivals Tolsia and Tug Valley get together the two teams rarely disappoint and Tuesday wasn’t any different as the Rebels ( 6-7 ) walked away with a 75-70 overtime victory in front of a huge crowd at Rebel Arena.
The Panthers took a 14-7 lead halfway thru the first period before Tolsia went on a 5-0 run and held Tug Valley scoreless as the period ended 14-12.
In the second quarter the teams went back and forth as the intensity picked up and teams started to settle in a little bit. With neither team leading by more than four points and went to the break with Tolsia leading 29-28.
In the third quarter the Rebels extended the lead out to nine points at one time as all five starters scored and Tolsia led 48-41 going to the final stanza.
In the fourth Tug Valley caught fire and led 56-52 with just under four minutes remaining. But Jesse Muncy hit two free throws and a long three pointer to put the Rebels back in front 57-56 and Tug Valley answered with a 6-2 run to lead 62-59 with just over a minute left. Austin Salmons called bank shot on a long three pointer to tie it up as the Rebel faithful rose to their feet. After a couple timeouts Tug Valley ran the clock down and the Rebel defense dug deep and got the stop to force overtime between the long time rivals.
In overtime Tyler Johnson made 5-6 free throws and the Rebels our scored the Panthers 13-8 to claim the huge section victory.
Tolsia placed four players in double figures led by Jesse Muncy who hit 4 three pointers and scored a game high 29 points, Zack Ball netted 14 points, Tyler Johnson 13 points, Austin Salmons 12 points, Rob Cantrell 5 points and Blake Sturgell 2 points.
The Rebels hit 8 three pointers and went 13 of 17 from the free throw line.
Tug Valley was led by Caleb May with 20 points, Ian Reed 17 points, Ethan Colegrove 15 points, Joby Sorrell 7 points, Matthew Linville 5 points, Easton Davis 4 points and Zach Savage 2 points.
The Panthers hit 2 three pointers and went 7 of 12 from the free throw line.
TVHS 14 14 13 21 8 = 70
THS 12 17 19 14 13 = 75
The Rebels will return to action this Saturday afternoon at 1:30 in the Kosta Koufos Classic in Canton, Ohio at Glenoak High School vs Lake Center Christian.
Tolsia Head Coach Todd Maynard
COACH’S COMMENTS
“… Great win for our program for section seeding. Really proud of kids to battle all night in a great environment. Nothing like Rebel Arena against Tug Valley. They are a good team that is well balanced. Caleb May is one of the best guards around and Ethan Colegrove is a load on the inside.”
“… I think we surprised them a little when we come out man to man on defense. Told our kids they have to take it personal and buckle down on that side of the ball. I thought Tyler Johnson did a good job vs May who is a handful. I told him make him work for everything he gets. Make him earn it. I am an offensive guy but we have been working non stop on defense the last two weeks and it has shown.”
“… We are improving each day and that is all we can ask for as a coaching staff. We got contributions from everyone tonight. We had four in double figures and I thought Rob Cantrell was great even though he only scored five points. He gave everything he had. He hit a big three for our first points and then went to work on defense.”
“… The atmosphere tonight was second to none. Rebel Arena was packed and that is the way we want it every home game. These kids deserve to play in front of a packed gym. The student section was awesome tonight and our guys feed of of the crowd.”
“… The trip this weekend will be much sweeter after this win. The boys should have a good time in Canton at the NFL Hall of Fame on Friday and then we play Lake Center Christian on Saturday afternoon at Glenoak High school where former Ohio St. star and NBA player Kosta Koufos. We are going up to play in a shootout named for him. This trip will be something the boys will remember for a lifetime. We I took the job this is some of the things that I envisioned for our program. Road trips are a blast and we have been lucky to make them. We are leaving early Friday morning and should be a good bonding trip for are guys. I played with Glenoak Head Coach Matt Hackenburg at KCU and be invited us up and we are excited to go. He was in my wedding and is a great guy who as that program rolling. They played in the state tournament a few years ago.”
