NAUGATUCK, W.VA. — Tolsia Coach Todd Maynard said it’s never easy after his Rebels blew a 7 point lead with :45 seconds left in regulation before escaping with a 75-70 overtime victory over Tug Valley in front of a huge crowd Tuesday.
Tolsia improved to 11-4 on the year but more importantly 6-0 in Section play and all but wrapped up the #1 seed in the Section tournament that will be played in late February.
In a game that lived up to all the hype after the two teams played a 3 point game at Rebel Arena in December when Freshman Jesse Muncy hit a long three pointer to win it.
Tuesday in the second meeting Muncy was even better as he poured in 35 points including 5 three pointers and 10-13 from the foul line. Muncy scored 19 points in the first half alone.
After the two teams were tied at 16 after one quarter Tug Valley took a 4 point lead before Tolsia closed within 33-32 at Halftime.
In the third quarter both teams went back and forth trading baskets before Tolsia regained the lead 47-45 heading into the fourth quarter.
In the 4th period Tolsia stretched the lead out a couple times but couldn’t put the pesky Panthers away. The Rebels missed 6 free throws in the 4th and Ian Reed of Tug Valley caught fire down the stretch with 3 three pointers including a long one to tie it up at 64 with 25 seconds left. Muncy hit 2 free throws to put Tolsia up before Zach Savage tied it up before Tolsia missed a long three pointer with the score tied at 66.
In the four minute overtime period it was Tolsia out scoring Tug Valley 9-4 behind 5 points from Muncy and 4 points from Austin Salmons.
Tolsia placed three players in double figures led by Muncy with 35 points, Austin Salmons tallied 14 points, Rob Cantrell netted 13 points, Zack Ball chipped in with 6 points and a team leading 7 rebounds, Gavin Meadows 4 points, Braxton Williams 2 points and Jacob Mollette 1 point.
Tolsia hit 7 three pointers and went 24-40 from the free throw line.
Tug Valley was led by Ian Reed with 21 points including 5 second half three pointers, Caleb May 19 points, Ethan Colegrove 12 points, Easton Davis 8 points, Tyler Chaffins 6 points, Zach Savage 4 points.
Tug Valley hit 7 three pointers and went 11-15 from the line.
THS 16 16 15 19 9 = 75
TVHS 16 17 12 21 4 = 70
Tolsia 65 Buffalo 50 ( Friday )
The Rebels moved to 2-0 in the West Virginia Hometown Invitational Tournament and advanced to the Semifinals with the double digit victory Friday at Rebel Arena.
Austin Salmons and Jesse Muncy scored 17 points apiece to pace the Rebels, Jacob Mollette tallied 13 points, Tyler Johnson netted 8 points, Gavin Meadows 3 points, Zane Sturgill, Zack Ball, and Steven Ward had 2 points apiece, Rob Cantrell rounded out the scoring with 1 point.
Tolsia hit 6 three pointers and went 17-21 from the free throw line.
BHS 8 12 14 15 = 50
THS 12 17 17 19 = 65
Tolsia will return to action Saturday afternoon in the Semifinals of the West Virginia Hometown Invitational Tournament at #2 seed South Harrison. Junior Varsity at 4:00 and Varsity at 5:45.
Tolsia Head Coach Todd Maynard
COACH’S COMMENTS
“… Game should have never went to overtime. We left some points on the board and left some shooters open as well and they tied it up. This is a tough place to play for sure and the environment tonight was awesome. Our fans were great all the way through. I have to give our guys credit once it got to overtime they regrouped and pulled out the victory. Muncy was special tonight it is hard to believe he is a freshman. Austin Salmons and Rob Cantrell were good as well, we took advantage of a couple mismatches.”
“… Coach May does a great job with those young guys, they have a good team and this is a great win for our program. Should get us the number 1 seed in Section and as long as we take care of business we will play at Rebel Arena.”
“… So proud of our kids for bouncing back after the game at Lawrence Co. over the weekend. We put it behind us quickly and that is a credit to our kids.
