February 26, 2018
Spring Valley, W. Va. — In a rematch from earlier in the week Huntington St. Joe (8-15) used a big second half to get by Tolsia (6-17) in a Region 4 Section 2 first round matchup 53-36 at Spring Valley High School Saturday night.
Tolsia took a 13-10 lead after one period on a long three pointer from senior Jared Switzer at the buzzer.
St. Joe battled back to tie the score at 20 going into halftime.
In the third quarter the Irish took control with a 13-4 advantage as the Rebels battled foul trouble and cold shooting.
In the 4th the Rebels tried to speed up the game and force some turnovers but it wasn’t meant to be.
Switzer led the Rebels with 11 points, Jonathon Johnson and Rob Cantrell had 7 points each, Tyler Johnson and Austin Salmons had 4 points each, Jacob Mollette 2 points, Blake Sturgell 1 point.
THS hit 2 three pointers and went 12-20 from the line.
Tolsia 13 7 4 12 – 36
St. Joe 10 10 13 20 – 53
Tolsia will lose two seniors in Jared Switzer and Jonathon Johnson but return a good nucleus of young players and have some talent coming from Crum and Fort Gay Middle.
Huntington St. Joe will travel to #2 Van on Tuesday night.
Tolsia Head Coach Todd Maynard
COACH’S COMMENTS
“…It’s always difficult when the season comes to an end. Especially when the team grinds it out together day in and day out to reach our goals as a team. We came up short tonight but it wasn’t because of effort. Our kids battled all year and they became a family which makes me so proud as a coach. I have been so blessed with the opportunity to be the coach of the Tolsia Rebels and build a relationship with these young men. The kids bought in on the standards the coaching staff set and all of them are committed to building this program back to hang banners. I love the Tolsia family and community. There are good people everywhere I have coached but there is something special about Rebel Nation. They are some of the most loyal unselfish genuinely caring people you will ever meet. They will give you the shirts off their backs and help anyone. I’m so thankful to be a part of it.
“…I’m going to miss my 2 seniors who will hold a special place in my heart. Jared Switzer and Jonathon Johnson will be missed and any success we have down the road they will be a part of that for helping set the foundation for where we want to go! I want to thank everyone who helped our program and the kids in it. I appreciate the boosters for everything and everyone who helped film, do clock, and book and everything else involved in the operations of what it takes to run a program. I want to also thank my assistant coaches David Ledger and Kevin Salmons for putting up with me this season..”
“… The Rebels will keep on working to develop great character of young men and do our best to bring a state championship to this community. I love every one of my boys in the program and let’s keep building! I am ready for many more years as the coach of this program.”
