Register-Herald Sports Writer
CLEAR FORK — Gentry Shrewsbury and Travis Smith controlled the backboards for Wyoming East as the Warriors defeated Keyser 74-60 in the opening game of the Family Healthcare Classic Thursday at Westside High School.
Shrewsbury came away with 31 points and 15 rebounds and Smith added 11 points and 10 rebounds as the duo pounded the boards against the Golden Tornado.
“Travis and Gentry inside, that’s a hard matchup for most double-A teams in this state,” said East coach Jesse Lester, who notched his 250th career win. “They are really two real good players around the rim.”
The game started at a frantic pace as both teams scored 25 points in the first quarter.
It didn’t slow down much in the second quarter either as both teams pushed the tempo.
Keyser’s Jeremy Green and Matt Wilmer kept the game tight, scoring 12 apiece in the first half.
“We usually don’t run into people that make us give,” Lester said. “My challenge to them was that we had to play as hard the second half — if not harder — and see if they would give. I don’t know that they ever gave in. I think they just got tired enough that they quit executing and making shots.”
The Tornado and East went to the locker room tied at 40-40.
Things would settle down after the half with the Warriors working the ball inside time and time again after Cory Willard gave East a cushion with back-to-back three-pointers to open the half.
“Willard’s two shots were big to start the second half,” Lester said.
Willard’s outside shooting helped free up the inside for Shrewsbury and East took advantage.
Up 53-50 with 2:331 remaining in the third quarter, Shrewsbury scored in the paint and added a free throw for a three-point play. Willard would follow that with a trey and Keyser never recovered.
“They’re good,’” Lester said. “They fought hard for a long time and never gave in. I think we’ll see Keyser again in Charleston (at the state tournament).”
Willard finished with 17 points.
Keyser was led by Wilmer’s 17 points. Green finished with 16 and Preston Hartman contributed 12 to the Tornado effort.
Wyoming East (4-1) plays Oak Hill (2-1) at 6 p.m. today in the final day of the Family Healthcare Classic.
Keyser (2-2)
Jeremy Green 7 2-2 16, Preston Hartman 5 0-0 12, Taige Redman 0 0-0 0, Cody Spotts 1 0-0 2, Matt Wilmer 6 4-7 17, Caleb Jones 3 0-1 6, Kevin Smith 2 0-2 4, Jarrell Ross 1 0-0 2. Totals: 25 6-12 60.
Wyoming East (4-1)
Cory Willard 6 0-0 17, Evan Muscari 2 2-4 7, Adam Repass 0 1-2 1, Gentry Shrewsbury 13 5-8 31, Travis Smith 5 1-2 11, Blake Cook 1 0-2 2, Brandon Belcher 0 4-4 4, Anthony Fuller 0 1-2 1, Kody McCracken 0 0-0 0, Kyle McGraw 0 0-0 0. Totals: 27 14-24 74.
K 25 15 12 8 — 60
WE 25 15 22 12 — 74
Three-point goals: K: 3 (Hartman 2, Wilmer); WE: 6 (Willard 5, Muscari); Fouled out: K: Hartman.
