Hartman powers Keyser past Mountain Ridge in overtime

Cumberland Times-News

KEYSER — Junior Preston Hartman and junior Jeremy Green each posted double-doubles for Keyser as the Golden Tornado held off a late Mountain Ridge charge for a 71-69 overtime victory in their season opener Friday evening.

Hartman scored 33 points and grabbed 14 rebounds while Green netted 12 points and had 12 rebounds. Matt Wilmer scored 15 points for the Tornado.

“I didn't know what to expect heading into tonight,” said Keyser first-year head coach Gary Liston. “We played and executed the offense well and it's nice to get a win and start the season off this way. It's also a good start for the new coaching staff."

Despite Hartman's gutsy performance, he was outgunned by the Miners' Brandon Wright. The 6-foot-3 senior scored a game-high 36 points and pulled in 12 rebounds. Wright made 13 straight baskets in the third and fourth quarters and for much of the overtime to lead Mountain Ridge (2-1 overall, 1-1 Appalachian Mountain Athletic Conference) back from a 10-point third-quarter deficit. Wright missed a jumper with just eight seconds left that would have tied the game for the Miners.

Wright finished the night shooting 16-of-22 (73 percent) from the floor with one three-pointer, and was 3-of-4 from the foul line.

David Hobel scored 10 points and passed out 12 assists while Bobby Smith came off the bench to add 15 points and eight boards for the Miners, who shot 55 percent (17-for-31) from the field in the second half.

Wilmer opened the third quarter for Keyser with a three-pointer that put the Tornado up by 10, 37-27. The Miners narrow the gap to 48-45 with 1:16 to play. Wilmer ended the quarter's scoring with a jumper with 34 seconds left.

In the final quarter, the teams battled back-and-forth until Mountain Ridge captured its first lead of the contest at 4:46, 58-57. The lead would change hands two more times and was tied three times over the final 4:30.

In the overtime, Wright’s three-point put Mountain Ridge up 67-66 with 3:18 to go. Hartman made a layup with 45 seconds left to put the Tornado ahead for good and Green sealed the win with a late free throw.

In the first half Keyser led the entire way behind 15 points and seven rebounds from Hartman.

The Tornado jumped out quick with an 8-2 lead behind four points and an assist from Hartman. Mountain Ridge battled back to close the gap 8-7 with 5:13 left in the first quarter. Keyser led at the end of the half 19-12.

In the second, the Miners narrowed the deficit to four points just over three minutes in but Keyser rebounded to extend its lead to double digits, 30-20 at 4:09. Mountain Ridge’s Bobby Smith scored four points in the final minute of the second quarter, and Keyser led at the break 32-25.

Keyser won the junior varsity game, 56-34, with Jarrell Ross scoring 16 points. Chris Sowers scored 12 points for Mountain Ridge.

Keyser won the freshman game, 50-32, with Payton Hartman scoring 12 points.

Mountain Ridge plays Tuesday at Fort Hill. Keyser hosts Frankfort on Wednesday.