CUMBERLAND — Casey Roberts, who led Allegany to the conference championship, and scoring champ David Hobel of Mountain Ridge were voted boys basketball co-Players of the Year in the Appalachian Mountain Athletic Conference.
The voting was done by the head coaches of the eight-team league.
Roberts and Hobel head the all-conference first team, which includes Jeremy Green and Preston Hartman of Keyser, Jordan Grady of Allegany, Robbie Miller of Hampshire and Jordan Helmick of Fort Hill.
Named to the second team were Cody Ellsworth of Allegany, Devin Lee of Fort Hill, Will Hughes of Hampshire, Matt Wilmer of Keyser, Ed Herpel of Northern and Travis Meyers of Frankfort.
Honorable mention went to Dan Shockey of Southern, Matt DeRosa and Cody Morton of Mountain Ridge, Logan Wolford of Frankfort and Thomas Holtschneider of Northern.
Allegany won the conference with a 13-1 record, followed by Mountain Ridge at 12-2 and Keyser at 9-5. Final conference standings and statistics are in today’s Scoreboard page.
• Roberts, a 6-foot-2 guard and one of seven juniors at Allegany, led the Campers to a 22-4 overall record and the 1A West section and 1A West Region championships as well as the AMAC title.
He led the Campers in scoring, and was second in the area, with a 20.3 average, and also made a team-high 37 three-point goals.
Roberts also averaged four assists, four rebounds and 2.6 steals per game. He shot 48 percent from the field, and 35 percent from three-point range.
In conference play, Roberts was second in scoring, just six points behind Hobel, with 283 points and a 20.2 average. He was also second in foul shooting, making 55 of 70 tries for 78.5 percent, and fifth with 22 three-point goals.
• Hobel, a 5-foot-8 guard and one of only three seniors at Mountain Ridge, led the Miners to a 19-5 overall record, and won the area and conference scoring and foul shooting championships.
He led all area players with a 21.9 scoring average, and also had area highs in foul shots made (157), foul shots attempted (190) and free throw percentage (82.6). He was third in the area with 60 three-point goals.
Hobel also averaged five assists, 4.8 steals and 4.3 rebounds per game.
In conference play, Hobel won the scoring title with 289 points in 14 games for a 20.6 average, and led all foul shooters by converting 77-of-96 tries for 80.2 percent. He was runner-up in three-point goals with 32, just one behind Miller of Hampshire.
• Green, a 6-foot-1 senior, led Keyser to an 18-7 overall record, including 10 wins in the final 11 games.
Green was seventh in the area in scoring, averaging 15.7 points, and also hauled in 7.2 rebounds per game.
In the conference, Green was sixth in scoring with a 14.2 average.
• Hartman, a 6-foot-2 senior, led the balanced Golden Tornado attack with 15.6 points per game, which was fifth-best in the area. He averaged a double-double for the 25-game season, as he also pulled in 11.1 rebounds per game.
Hartman was fifth in the conference in scoring with a 14.7 average, and ninth in three-point goals with 16.
• Grady, a 6-foot-4 junior forward, was a key to Allegany’s success, especially with his presence inside and along the baseline, and averaged a double-double with 13.3 points and 10.6 rebounds per game.
Grady was 10th in the area in scoring and also had one of the top shooting percentages, at 51 percent, in leading the Campers to the state tournament.
In conferene play, Grady ranked 10th in scoring with 13.2 points per game.
• Miller, a 6-foot-2 senior guard at Hampshire, led the conference in three-point goals and perhaps the area in three-point shooting, hitting at 44 percent.
Miller was 11th in the area in scoring with 13.7 points per game, and was second in three-point goals with 58. He also 6.1 rebounds and averaged 3.6 assists.
In league play, Miller was seventh in scoring at 13.5, and had a conference-high 33 three-point goals.
• Helmick, a senior center at Fort Hill, led the Sentinels in rebounding and was second in scoring.
A quick-leaping, aggressive player in the lane and around the glass, Helmick averaged 12.5 points, 7.8 rebounds and one steal per game. Also a good foul shooter, Helmick at one point led the conference before finishing 78-for-119 for 65.5 percent for the season.
In the conference, Helmick was seventh in scoring at 13.6.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
Hartman and Green named to AMAC First Team; Wilmer Second Team
CUMBERLAND — The Appalachian Mountain Athletic Conference announced their honorees for the 2008-2009 season on Wednesday.
Mountain Ridge’s David Hobel and Allegany’s Casey Roberts shared Player of the Year honors.
Joining the two on the first team were Preston Hartman and Jeremy Green of Keyser, Jordan Grady of Allegany, Jordan Helmick of Fort Hill, and Robbie Miller of Hampshire.
Named to the second team were Matt Wilmer of Keyser, Travis Myers of Frankfort, Cody Ellsworth of Allegany, Will Hughes of Hampshire, Devin Lee of Fort Hill, and Ed Herpel of Northern.
The teams were picked by the league’s coaches.
Mountain Ridge’s David Hobel and Allegany’s Casey Roberts shared Player of the Year honors.
Joining the two on the first team were Preston Hartman and Jeremy Green of Keyser, Jordan Grady of Allegany, Jordan Helmick of Fort Hill, and Robbie Miller of Hampshire.
Named to the second team were Matt Wilmer of Keyser, Travis Myers of Frankfort, Cody Ellsworth of Allegany, Will Hughes of Hampshire, Devin Lee of Fort Hill, and Ed Herpel of Northern.
The teams were picked by the league’s coaches.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Webster County Defeats Keyser, 64-52
KEYSER — The Webster County Highlanders scored 26 unanswered points and outscored the Keyser Golden Tornado 29-2 in the third quarter to turn a three-point Keyser halftime lead into a blowout the other way, winning 65-51.
The Golden Tornado went 8:09 without a basket and got no closer than 13 points in the fourth quarter.
Keyser made just one of ten shots from the field in the third quarter.
Skyler McCoy had a game-high 21 points, 15 in the second half, for Webster County.
Timothy Miller and Shane Anderson each had eleven.
Webster County went 26-for-37 from the free throw line; Keyser hit just 10 of 21 from the stripe.
Matt Wilmer led Keyser with 15 points, 12 rebounds, and four steals.
Preston Hartman added 13 points, all but two in the first half, and 11 rebounds.
Wes Washington had five assists.
Neither team was able to score in the first minute and a half of the game.
Keyser’s Matt Wilmer took a charge, then Jeremy Green hit a short jumper in traffic on the ensuing possession to give Keyser the early 2-0 lead.
After an exchange of baskets, Preston Hartman caught and shot a three-pointer from the left elbow to give KHS a 5-4 lead, then a pair of Wilmer free throws pushed the lead to three with 4:48 to go in the first quarter.
Webster County responded with a layup from Shane Anderson and a tough baseline jumper from Skyler McCoy to re-take the lead.
Hartman hit another three-pointer from the same spot to put Keyser ahead, 10-8, with 4:10 to go in the quarter.
The Highlanders scored the next four points, then Hartman made it three threes from virtually the same spot on the floor to give KHS a 13-12 lead after the first quarter.
A Timmy Miller layup to open the quarter put WCHS back on top, then a Max Anderson layup extended the lead to three with 5:43 to go in the half.
But Wilmer converted a second-chance layup and Jeremy Green scored off the dribble to put Keyser back in front, 17-16, with 3:27 to go. A Wes Washington free throw made it two points.
Anderson hit a big three-pointer from the right corner for Webster County for the nine lead change of the half.
Wilmer finished the half strong for Keyser, scoring a quick bucket and finding Hartman for a layup in transition with 23 seconds left.
The Golden Tornado led, 22-19, at the half.
Hartman led all scorers with 11 points for Keyser; Wilmer had six points.
For Webster County, Miller led a balanced first half effort with eight points. McCoy had six and Anderson five.
KHS made just three of eight foul shots, two by Wilmer, in the first half.
Webster County came out of the locker room and scored the first five points of the second half on a McCoy three-pointer and a Grant Perrine layup.
Keyser’s Jarell Ross fouled Kenny Hall on a three-point shot with 5:25 left in the third quarter.
Hall hit all three foul shots, then McCoy scored five of the next seven points.
Webster County led, 34-22, with 3:15 to go in the quarter.
Hartman was then assessed an intentional foul and Miller hit one of the two technical shots from the line.
The Highlanders scored four more straight points from the line, then Anderson canned a three to bring the lead to 20. Keyser still had not scored in the quarter.
Andy Boggs hit three foul shots for Webster County, then a Daniel Zinn layup with 14 seconds left in the corner finally got Keyser on the board in the second half.
Highlander center Josh Ratliff hit a three at the buzzer, and Webster County was doubling up Keyser after three, 48-24.
Keyser woke up from their offensive slumber with a 12-2 run to start the fourth quarter, keyed by five points from Wilmer.
But Webster County scored four straight points from the free throw line.
Ross hit a three-pointer with 3:48 to go in the game to close the gap to 15 points, 55-40, then Peyton Hartman made a layup to bring KHS within 13.
But Webster County was not fazed, scoring the next seven points, all but two from the foul line, to go back up 20 with 1:57 to go and put the game out of reach.
Keyser finishes the season at 18-7.
Webster County advances to Charleston with a record of 19-7.
The Golden Tornado went 8:09 without a basket and got no closer than 13 points in the fourth quarter.
Keyser made just one of ten shots from the field in the third quarter.
Skyler McCoy had a game-high 21 points, 15 in the second half, for Webster County.
Timothy Miller and Shane Anderson each had eleven.
Webster County went 26-for-37 from the free throw line; Keyser hit just 10 of 21 from the stripe.
Matt Wilmer led Keyser with 15 points, 12 rebounds, and four steals.
Preston Hartman added 13 points, all but two in the first half, and 11 rebounds.
Wes Washington had five assists.
Neither team was able to score in the first minute and a half of the game.
Keyser’s Matt Wilmer took a charge, then Jeremy Green hit a short jumper in traffic on the ensuing possession to give Keyser the early 2-0 lead.
After an exchange of baskets, Preston Hartman caught and shot a three-pointer from the left elbow to give KHS a 5-4 lead, then a pair of Wilmer free throws pushed the lead to three with 4:48 to go in the first quarter.
Webster County responded with a layup from Shane Anderson and a tough baseline jumper from Skyler McCoy to re-take the lead.
Hartman hit another three-pointer from the same spot to put Keyser ahead, 10-8, with 4:10 to go in the quarter.
The Highlanders scored the next four points, then Hartman made it three threes from virtually the same spot on the floor to give KHS a 13-12 lead after the first quarter.
A Timmy Miller layup to open the quarter put WCHS back on top, then a Max Anderson layup extended the lead to three with 5:43 to go in the half.
But Wilmer converted a second-chance layup and Jeremy Green scored off the dribble to put Keyser back in front, 17-16, with 3:27 to go. A Wes Washington free throw made it two points.
Anderson hit a big three-pointer from the right corner for Webster County for the nine lead change of the half.
Wilmer finished the half strong for Keyser, scoring a quick bucket and finding Hartman for a layup in transition with 23 seconds left.
The Golden Tornado led, 22-19, at the half.
Hartman led all scorers with 11 points for Keyser; Wilmer had six points.
For Webster County, Miller led a balanced first half effort with eight points. McCoy had six and Anderson five.
KHS made just three of eight foul shots, two by Wilmer, in the first half.
Webster County came out of the locker room and scored the first five points of the second half on a McCoy three-pointer and a Grant Perrine layup.
Keyser’s Jarell Ross fouled Kenny Hall on a three-point shot with 5:25 left in the third quarter.
Hall hit all three foul shots, then McCoy scored five of the next seven points.
Webster County led, 34-22, with 3:15 to go in the quarter.
Hartman was then assessed an intentional foul and Miller hit one of the two technical shots from the line.
The Highlanders scored four more straight points from the line, then Anderson canned a three to bring the lead to 20. Keyser still had not scored in the quarter.
Andy Boggs hit three foul shots for Webster County, then a Daniel Zinn layup with 14 seconds left in the corner finally got Keyser on the board in the second half.
Highlander center Josh Ratliff hit a three at the buzzer, and Webster County was doubling up Keyser after three, 48-24.
Keyser woke up from their offensive slumber with a 12-2 run to start the fourth quarter, keyed by five points from Wilmer.
But Webster County scored four straight points from the free throw line.
Ross hit a three-pointer with 3:48 to go in the game to close the gap to 15 points, 55-40, then Peyton Hartman made a layup to bring KHS within 13.
But Webster County was not fazed, scoring the next seven points, all but two from the foul line, to go back up 20 with 1:57 to go and put the game out of reach.
Keyser finishes the season at 18-7.
Webster County advances to Charleston with a record of 19-7.
Webster County Spurts by Keyser
KEYSER, W.Va. — Despite a valiant fourth-quarter effort, Keyser’s state tournament hopes were dashed by an ice-cold third quarter during a 64-52 loss to Webster County in the final round of the Class AA Region 2 playoffs Wednesday night.
The Golden Tornado held onto a slight lead during the opening two quarters as they were ahead 13-12 after the first, and 22-19 at the half. But things changed abruptly in the third quarter, as Keyser went completely cold and Webster thrived.
The Highlanders opened the second half with a streak of 26 straight points, and outscored Keyser 29-2 for the period to build a 48-24 advantage. Daniel Zinn had the only points for the Tornado on a shot with eight seconds remaining. In an illustration of how the quarter played out, Webster County nailed a halfcourt shot at the buzzer to close the period.
Two Keyser seniors finished their basketball careers with double-doubles as Matt Wilmer scored 15 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, and Preston Hartman had 13 points and 11 rebounds. Wilmer also had four steals and two assists.
The Highlanders were led by Skyler McCoy’s 21 points and five rebounds. Tim Miller had 11 points and four assists.
After entering the fourth quarter down 48-24, Keyser was able to cut the deficit to 12 points, by outscoring the Highlanders 28-16 in the final eight minutes. The Tornado got no closer than the 12-point margin at the end of the game.
Keyser (18-7) was hoping to make its fifth state tournament in seven seasons. The Tornado had earned spots in the tournament in 2008, 2006, 2004 and 2003.
Webster (17-6) will begin play in the state tournament on Thursday at the Charleston Civic Center.
The Golden Tornado held onto a slight lead during the opening two quarters as they were ahead 13-12 after the first, and 22-19 at the half. But things changed abruptly in the third quarter, as Keyser went completely cold and Webster thrived.
The Highlanders opened the second half with a streak of 26 straight points, and outscored Keyser 29-2 for the period to build a 48-24 advantage. Daniel Zinn had the only points for the Tornado on a shot with eight seconds remaining. In an illustration of how the quarter played out, Webster County nailed a halfcourt shot at the buzzer to close the period.
Two Keyser seniors finished their basketball careers with double-doubles as Matt Wilmer scored 15 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, and Preston Hartman had 13 points and 11 rebounds. Wilmer also had four steals and two assists.
The Highlanders were led by Skyler McCoy’s 21 points and five rebounds. Tim Miller had 11 points and four assists.
After entering the fourth quarter down 48-24, Keyser was able to cut the deficit to 12 points, by outscoring the Highlanders 28-16 in the final eight minutes. The Tornado got no closer than the 12-point margin at the end of the game.
Keyser (18-7) was hoping to make its fifth state tournament in seven seasons. The Tornado had earned spots in the tournament in 2008, 2006, 2004 and 2003.
Webster (17-6) will begin play in the state tournament on Thursday at the Charleston Civic Center.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Keyser Hosts Webster County
KEYSER, W.Va. — Reservations to Charleston are waiting in the wings as Keyser faces Webster County this evening at 7:30 in the West Virginia Class AA, Region 2 playoffs in Keyser.
In his second season as head coach, Gary Liston has his team sporting an 18-6 record. The Golden Tornado earned the right to play for the state tournament after beating Petersburg 46-35 on Friday in the Section 1 championship.
The Vikings (10-13) will also play for a state tournament slot when it takes on Section 2 winner Philip Barbour tonight in Philippi. Philip Barbour beat Webster County 56-44 in the Section 2 final.
Keyser’s Preston Hartman had a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds in the win over Petersburg. Jeremy Green finished with 13 points and eight rebounds.
Keyser fell behind early, and the Vikings employed some slow down tactics that led to just seven points being scored in the second quarter. The Vikings retook the lead when Keyser got cold in the third, but the Golden Tornado ended the third quarter on a 11-0 run that put it back in control.
The Tornado will be looking to make its fifth trip in seven seasons to the Class AA State Tournament. Keyser has gotten familiar with the Charleston Civic Center over the last few seasons after playing there in 2003, 2004, 2006 and 2008. Prior to 2003, Keyser had not made the state tournament since the 1955 season.
Webster County finished the regular season at 16-6, while Philip Barbour enters tonight’s match-up with a 16-8 mark.
In his second season as head coach, Gary Liston has his team sporting an 18-6 record. The Golden Tornado earned the right to play for the state tournament after beating Petersburg 46-35 on Friday in the Section 1 championship.
The Vikings (10-13) will also play for a state tournament slot when it takes on Section 2 winner Philip Barbour tonight in Philippi. Philip Barbour beat Webster County 56-44 in the Section 2 final.
Keyser’s Preston Hartman had a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds in the win over Petersburg. Jeremy Green finished with 13 points and eight rebounds.
Keyser fell behind early, and the Vikings employed some slow down tactics that led to just seven points being scored in the second quarter. The Vikings retook the lead when Keyser got cold in the third, but the Golden Tornado ended the third quarter on a 11-0 run that put it back in control.
The Tornado will be looking to make its fifth trip in seven seasons to the Class AA State Tournament. Keyser has gotten familiar with the Charleston Civic Center over the last few seasons after playing there in 2003, 2004, 2006 and 2008. Prior to 2003, Keyser had not made the state tournament since the 1955 season.
Webster County finished the regular season at 16-6, while Philip Barbour enters tonight’s match-up with a 16-8 mark.
Charleston or bust for KHS boys tonight
KEYSER — Two teams. Only one spot.
That’s what’s at stake when the Keyser Golden Tornado hosts the Webster County Highlanders in the WVSSAC Region II boys’ basketball final tonight at KHS.
The winner advances to the eight-team state tournament in Charleston, which begins on Thursday, March 19.
Keyser won the Region II, Section I title with a 46-35 victory over Petersburg on Friday.
Webster County lost their sectional final to Philip Barbour, 56-44, Saturday night.
The Highlanders haven’t been to the state tournament since 1990.
Golden Tornado head coach Gary Liston went to the Webster County-Philip Barbour game and was impressed with the Highlanders’ work ethic.
“It’s hard to really gauge in a one-night scout, but the thing I came away with was that they played hard. They didn’t have a whole lot of size, but were definitely blue-collar players,” said Liston before Keyser’s practice Tuesday.
Because of their sound fundamentals and hustle, Liston compares Webster County to Mountain Ridge.
“A close match would be Mountain Ridge without [David] Hobel in the game. But, again, on a one-night scout, it’s hard to tell. They may have a Hobel-type player that just didn’t show that night,” Liston said.
Keyser and Mountain Ridge split two regular season meetings.
Also blue-collar is Webster County’s style.
“Offensively, they ran the flex. We’re pretty familiar with that. Defensively, they played man-to-man for 32 minutes,” said Liston.
The man-to-man defense is good news for Keyser, a team that scores a lot of points inside through their offense, in transition, and off of offensive rebounds.
“When I told the guys that yesterday when we went over the scouting report, as soon as I said they played nothing but man-to-man, Jeremy Green was grinning from ear to ear,” said Liston.
“I hope they play man tomorrow night.”
That inside game and transition play are the keys for Keyser to punch their ticket to Charleston, said Liston.
“[Keyser’s players] need to take care of the ball better than they did against Petersburg. We need to finish when we get shots around the rim. If we finish those shots around the rim, Petersburg can’t hold the ball,” he said.
“We have to run the break; we have to run it well. And then Green and [Preston] Hartman have to do their jobs inside.”
“I’ve got a feeling tomorrow night that someone’s going to have to step up other than those two guys.”
The other six spots in the state tournament will also be handed out today.
In Region I, Point Pleasant visits Weir and Magnolia travels to Ravenswood.
In Region III, Wyoming East hosts Pikeview and Oak Hill is at James Monroe.
And in Region IV, Scott travels to Sissonville and Poca visits Tug Valley.
The game tips off at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are $5 for students (if purchased before 3 p.m. Wednesday) and $7 for all fans at the door.
That price is mandated by the state, according to KHS Athletic Director Ken Griffith.
That’s what’s at stake when the Keyser Golden Tornado hosts the Webster County Highlanders in the WVSSAC Region II boys’ basketball final tonight at KHS.
The winner advances to the eight-team state tournament in Charleston, which begins on Thursday, March 19.
Keyser won the Region II, Section I title with a 46-35 victory over Petersburg on Friday.
Webster County lost their sectional final to Philip Barbour, 56-44, Saturday night.
The Highlanders haven’t been to the state tournament since 1990.
Golden Tornado head coach Gary Liston went to the Webster County-Philip Barbour game and was impressed with the Highlanders’ work ethic.
“It’s hard to really gauge in a one-night scout, but the thing I came away with was that they played hard. They didn’t have a whole lot of size, but were definitely blue-collar players,” said Liston before Keyser’s practice Tuesday.
Because of their sound fundamentals and hustle, Liston compares Webster County to Mountain Ridge.
“A close match would be Mountain Ridge without [David] Hobel in the game. But, again, on a one-night scout, it’s hard to tell. They may have a Hobel-type player that just didn’t show that night,” Liston said.
Keyser and Mountain Ridge split two regular season meetings.
Also blue-collar is Webster County’s style.
“Offensively, they ran the flex. We’re pretty familiar with that. Defensively, they played man-to-man for 32 minutes,” said Liston.
The man-to-man defense is good news for Keyser, a team that scores a lot of points inside through their offense, in transition, and off of offensive rebounds.
“When I told the guys that yesterday when we went over the scouting report, as soon as I said they played nothing but man-to-man, Jeremy Green was grinning from ear to ear,” said Liston.
“I hope they play man tomorrow night.”
That inside game and transition play are the keys for Keyser to punch their ticket to Charleston, said Liston.
“[Keyser’s players] need to take care of the ball better than they did against Petersburg. We need to finish when we get shots around the rim. If we finish those shots around the rim, Petersburg can’t hold the ball,” he said.
“We have to run the break; we have to run it well. And then Green and [Preston] Hartman have to do their jobs inside.”
“I’ve got a feeling tomorrow night that someone’s going to have to step up other than those two guys.”
The other six spots in the state tournament will also be handed out today.
In Region I, Point Pleasant visits Weir and Magnolia travels to Ravenswood.
In Region III, Wyoming East hosts Pikeview and Oak Hill is at James Monroe.
And in Region IV, Scott travels to Sissonville and Poca visits Tug Valley.
The game tips off at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are $5 for students (if purchased before 3 p.m. Wednesday) and $7 for all fans at the door.
That price is mandated by the state, according to KHS Athletic Director Ken Griffith.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Class AA regional matchups set
KEYSER — The Keyser Golden Tornado will host Webster County on Wednesday for a berth in next week’s state boys’ basketball tournament in Charleston.
Keyser won the Region II, Section I title with a 46-35 victory over Petersburg on Friday.
Webster County, looking to qualify for the state tournament for the first time since 1990, lost their sectional final to Philip Barbour, 56-44, Saturday night.
In the other game in Region II, Petersburg travels to Philip Barbour.
The other six spots in the state tournament will also be handed out Wednesday.
In Region I, Point Pleasant visits Weir and Magnolia travels to Ravenswood.
In Region III, Wyoming East hosts Pikeview and Oak Hill is at James Monroe.
And in Region IV, Scott travels to Sissonville and Poca visits Tug Valley.
The state tournament begins on March 19 at the Civic Center.
All four Class AA quarterfinals are on Thursday: the No. 3 vs. No. 6 game tips at 9:30 a.m.; the 2-7 game is at 1:00 p.m.; the No. 1 vs. No. 8 game is at 5:30 p.m., and the 4-5 game is the nightcap at 9:00 p.m.
The semifinals are on Friday, and the championship game is set for 2:30 p.m. on Saturday.
Keyser won the Region II, Section I title with a 46-35 victory over Petersburg on Friday.
Webster County, looking to qualify for the state tournament for the first time since 1990, lost their sectional final to Philip Barbour, 56-44, Saturday night.
In the other game in Region II, Petersburg travels to Philip Barbour.
The other six spots in the state tournament will also be handed out Wednesday.
In Region I, Point Pleasant visits Weir and Magnolia travels to Ravenswood.
In Region III, Wyoming East hosts Pikeview and Oak Hill is at James Monroe.
And in Region IV, Scott travels to Sissonville and Poca visits Tug Valley.
The state tournament begins on March 19 at the Civic Center.
All four Class AA quarterfinals are on Thursday: the No. 3 vs. No. 6 game tips at 9:30 a.m.; the 2-7 game is at 1:00 p.m.; the No. 1 vs. No. 8 game is at 5:30 p.m., and the 4-5 game is the nightcap at 9:00 p.m.
The semifinals are on Friday, and the championship game is set for 2:30 p.m. on Saturday.
Should high school hoops clock in?
Do Maryland and West Virginia need to adopt a shot clock in high school boys’ basketball?
That was the question on the lips of many fans at Keyser High School Friday night after watching the Petersburg Vikings hold the ball for the final four-odd minutes of the second quarter of the Region II, Section I final.
Let me be clear: I’m not criticizing the Vikings for employing such tactics against the Golden Tornado. Far from it.
KHS won the teams’ two regular season meetings by 33 and 38 points. Odds are Petersburg wasn’t going to come into Tornado Alley and win a 75-74 shootout.
Their chances were much better if the game was in the 50s, the 40’s, or even the 30s.
And since Keyser is a team that absolutely loves (and excels) at a high tempo, why not take the game off the boil for a while?
It reminded me of the soccer episode of “The Simpsons” (Ties! You bet!) where the fans are going nuts while the players just pass the ball back and forth between the wings and the middle. Never has so little basketball action caused so much noise at Tornado Alley.
So there was Viking point guard Brandon Kivett...holding, holding, holding, even though his team was down two points at the time, while the crowd goes berserk.
The Keyser student section even left their seats en masse to try and collectively go stand by Kivett and heckle him (they were wisely kept from doing so).
The Vikings went away from this tactic in the second half (why, I don’t know), and KHS used a 17-2 run to break the game open and win by 11 points.
Still, the game was much closer than the past two meetings. Throw that run out, and Petersburg actually wins by four.
Also, with the change in the WVSSAC playoff format, Petersburg wasn’t
see CLOCK page 5
playing for their season on Friday.
So why risk injury by playing a full-tempo, heart-on-your-sleeve, physical game in the sectional final when, win or lose Friday, the regional game this Wednesday is the one that matters, the one that punches the basketball Golden Ticket to Charleston and the state tournament?
On the Maryland side of the Potomac, Mountain Ridge used a time-milking four corners offense successfully in their first round playoff win over Fort Hill.
With the best free-throw shooting team in the area, and the best foul shooter from the foul line, three-point line, Timbuktu, etc., in David Hobel, the Miners’ formula was simple: get a decent lead and literally hold on to the ball, forcing the other team to foul to get the ball back.
Leading by 13 points with just under two minutes left in the first half, the Miners held the ball for almost the entire time before Jordan Helmick got a steal and a quick two the other way for Fort Hill.
And with a nine point lead heading to the fourth quarter, the game plan really bore fruit. Ten made free throws and solid defense against a frustrated Sentinel team eventually doubled that lead, and the Miners won by 18 points.
Proponents of a shot clock argue that it would make games more entertaining, and that idea may have some merit.
But I think the number of bad shots, hurried by a 35-second limit, would increase significantly.
Also, teams generally play straight-up games in the regular season, only resorting to such stalling tactics late in the fourth quarter of games, or, in the cases of Petersburg and Mountain Ridge, in playoff or elimination scenarios.
There’s also the added issues of spending the money to get shot clocks for each gym in the state, an unnecessary expense in these economic conditions, and having someone in-house to run the shot clock. It’s hard enough getting good, committed people to run the game clock, especially at small high schools.
Maryland, of course, does have a clock for girls’ basketball, so their learning curve would be less steep.
Unless holding the ball and other time-wasting tactics become the norm rather than the exception, I don’t expect to see either Maryland or West Virginia join the eight states nationwide that have a shot clock for boys’ hoops.
That was the question on the lips of many fans at Keyser High School Friday night after watching the Petersburg Vikings hold the ball for the final four-odd minutes of the second quarter of the Region II, Section I final.
Let me be clear: I’m not criticizing the Vikings for employing such tactics against the Golden Tornado. Far from it.
KHS won the teams’ two regular season meetings by 33 and 38 points. Odds are Petersburg wasn’t going to come into Tornado Alley and win a 75-74 shootout.
Their chances were much better if the game was in the 50s, the 40’s, or even the 30s.
And since Keyser is a team that absolutely loves (and excels) at a high tempo, why not take the game off the boil for a while?
It reminded me of the soccer episode of “The Simpsons” (Ties! You bet!) where the fans are going nuts while the players just pass the ball back and forth between the wings and the middle. Never has so little basketball action caused so much noise at Tornado Alley.
So there was Viking point guard Brandon Kivett...holding, holding, holding, even though his team was down two points at the time, while the crowd goes berserk.
The Keyser student section even left their seats en masse to try and collectively go stand by Kivett and heckle him (they were wisely kept from doing so).
The Vikings went away from this tactic in the second half (why, I don’t know), and KHS used a 17-2 run to break the game open and win by 11 points.
Still, the game was much closer than the past two meetings. Throw that run out, and Petersburg actually wins by four.
Also, with the change in the WVSSAC playoff format, Petersburg wasn’t
see CLOCK page 5
playing for their season on Friday.
So why risk injury by playing a full-tempo, heart-on-your-sleeve, physical game in the sectional final when, win or lose Friday, the regional game this Wednesday is the one that matters, the one that punches the basketball Golden Ticket to Charleston and the state tournament?
On the Maryland side of the Potomac, Mountain Ridge used a time-milking four corners offense successfully in their first round playoff win over Fort Hill.
With the best free-throw shooting team in the area, and the best foul shooter from the foul line, three-point line, Timbuktu, etc., in David Hobel, the Miners’ formula was simple: get a decent lead and literally hold on to the ball, forcing the other team to foul to get the ball back.
Leading by 13 points with just under two minutes left in the first half, the Miners held the ball for almost the entire time before Jordan Helmick got a steal and a quick two the other way for Fort Hill.
And with a nine point lead heading to the fourth quarter, the game plan really bore fruit. Ten made free throws and solid defense against a frustrated Sentinel team eventually doubled that lead, and the Miners won by 18 points.
Proponents of a shot clock argue that it would make games more entertaining, and that idea may have some merit.
But I think the number of bad shots, hurried by a 35-second limit, would increase significantly.
Also, teams generally play straight-up games in the regular season, only resorting to such stalling tactics late in the fourth quarter of games, or, in the cases of Petersburg and Mountain Ridge, in playoff or elimination scenarios.
There’s also the added issues of spending the money to get shot clocks for each gym in the state, an unnecessary expense in these economic conditions, and having someone in-house to run the shot clock. It’s hard enough getting good, committed people to run the game clock, especially at small high schools.
Maryland, of course, does have a clock for girls’ basketball, so their learning curve would be less steep.
Unless holding the ball and other time-wasting tactics become the norm rather than the exception, I don’t expect to see either Maryland or West Virginia join the eight states nationwide that have a shot clock for boys’ hoops.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Keyser Pulls Away Late to Win Section, Defeats Petersburg, 46-35
KEYSER — The Keyser Golden Tornado used a 17-2 run over the end of the third and beginning of the fourth quarters to break open a tight, low-scoring affair, winning 46-35 over the Petersburg Vikings in boys’ basketball action at Tornado Alley on Friday night.
Now champions of Region II, Section I, the Golden Tornado will host the loser of Webster County and Philip Barbour on Wednesday night.
Petersburg will travel to face the winner of that game, which is Saturday night.
The Golden Tornado held the Vikings without a point for five minutes and 19 seconds during the run and without a field goal in the second quarter.
Preston Hartman had 17 points, ten in the second half, and ten rebounds to lead Keyser.
Jeremy Green was also in double figures with 13 points and added eight rebounds, three assists, and two blocks.
Wes Washington had four steals.
Marcus Hahn’s 12 points and Derek Miller’s 11 paced Petersburg.
Keyser came out of the gate looking sluggish offensively and trailed 6-3 with 2:44 to go in the first quarter, prompting Coach Gary Liston to call a timeout.
A Derek Miller finger roll put Petersburg up 10-5 with 1:14 to go.
Keyser closed the quarter well, however, on a Preston Hartman hook and a Jeremy Green layup.
The Golden Tornado trailed, 10-9, after the first quarter.
A pair of Mike Wise free throws with 7:26 to go in the half put the Vikings up three, 12-9.
Keyser closed to back within one point on a Maverick Nelson pull-up jump shot just to the left of the foul line, then took their first lead since 1-0 on a Preston Hartman three-point play, 14-12.
Petersburg held the ball for the remainder of the second quarter.
Keyser led at the half, 14-12.
Hartman had seven points to lead Keyser; Marcus Hahn’s six points topped Petersburg.
Hahn tied the game at 14-all with a layup 15 seconds into the half, then Hartman put Keyser back up a deuce with a layup of his own.
Petersburg opened up a five-point lead, their largest of the game, with 5:09 left in the third quarter on a Hahn tip-in.
Keyser briefly re-took the lead on a Green layup, 22-21, but Hahn again responded to put Petersburg back on top.
But the Golden Tornado found their footing, going on a 17-2 run stretching through the rest of the third quarter and into the fourth. Green had five points and an assist during the run.
KHS led, 39-25, with 3:41 to go.
But PHS made it interesting, scoring the next eight points to pull within six, 39-33, with 1:48 to go.
A Matt Wilmer three-point play gave Keyser some breathing room, 44-35, with 1:04 left, and Hartman’s tip-in with 43 seconds left sealed the deal.
In Section II action Thursday night, Philip Barbour toppled top-seeded Grafton, 63-53, and Webster County knocked off second-seeded Lincoln, 57-50.
Philip Barbour will travel to Webster County Saturday night for the Section II final.
The two sectional winners host the runners-up from the opposite section on Wednesday, March 11.
Now champions of Region II, Section I, the Golden Tornado will host the loser of Webster County and Philip Barbour on Wednesday night.
Petersburg will travel to face the winner of that game, which is Saturday night.
The Golden Tornado held the Vikings without a point for five minutes and 19 seconds during the run and without a field goal in the second quarter.
Preston Hartman had 17 points, ten in the second half, and ten rebounds to lead Keyser.
Jeremy Green was also in double figures with 13 points and added eight rebounds, three assists, and two blocks.
Wes Washington had four steals.
Marcus Hahn’s 12 points and Derek Miller’s 11 paced Petersburg.
Keyser came out of the gate looking sluggish offensively and trailed 6-3 with 2:44 to go in the first quarter, prompting Coach Gary Liston to call a timeout.
A Derek Miller finger roll put Petersburg up 10-5 with 1:14 to go.
Keyser closed the quarter well, however, on a Preston Hartman hook and a Jeremy Green layup.
The Golden Tornado trailed, 10-9, after the first quarter.
A pair of Mike Wise free throws with 7:26 to go in the half put the Vikings up three, 12-9.
Keyser closed to back within one point on a Maverick Nelson pull-up jump shot just to the left of the foul line, then took their first lead since 1-0 on a Preston Hartman three-point play, 14-12.
Petersburg held the ball for the remainder of the second quarter.
Keyser led at the half, 14-12.
Hartman had seven points to lead Keyser; Marcus Hahn’s six points topped Petersburg.
Hahn tied the game at 14-all with a layup 15 seconds into the half, then Hartman put Keyser back up a deuce with a layup of his own.
Petersburg opened up a five-point lead, their largest of the game, with 5:09 left in the third quarter on a Hahn tip-in.
Keyser briefly re-took the lead on a Green layup, 22-21, but Hahn again responded to put Petersburg back on top.
But the Golden Tornado found their footing, going on a 17-2 run stretching through the rest of the third quarter and into the fourth. Green had five points and an assist during the run.
KHS led, 39-25, with 3:41 to go.
But PHS made it interesting, scoring the next eight points to pull within six, 39-33, with 1:48 to go.
A Matt Wilmer three-point play gave Keyser some breathing room, 44-35, with 1:04 left, and Hartman’s tip-in with 43 seconds left sealed the deal.
In Section II action Thursday night, Philip Barbour toppled top-seeded Grafton, 63-53, and Webster County knocked off second-seeded Lincoln, 57-50.
Philip Barbour will travel to Webster County Saturday night for the Section II final.
The two sectional winners host the runners-up from the opposite section on Wednesday, March 11.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Keyser's Late Run Beats Petersburg, 46-35
KEYSER, W.Va. — Preston Hartman recorded a double-double despite a slow pace to lead Keyser to the West Virginia Class AA Region 2, Section 1 title with a 46-35 win over Petersburg Friday night at Keyser High School.
Hartman scored a game-high 17 points, and added 10 rebounds to get the double-double. Jeremy Green was impressive with 13 points, eight boards, three assists and two blocks.
Petersburg got 12 points from Marcus Hahn and Derek Miller scored 11 points.
The Vikings led 10-9 after the first quarter, and went into slow down mode during the second. Petersburg held the ball for over four minutes in the second quarter, but Keyser was able to take 14-12 lead by halftime.
The Golden Tornado had trouble hitting their shots on the inside and fell behind 25-22 at one point in the third. From that score Keyser would go on an 11-0 run to close out the third, culminating in a halfcourt three-point shot as the period ended.
Keyser then went to the press in the fourth to cause some turnovers and hold Petersburg scoreless for the first five minutes of the quarter.
Keyser (18-6) will play in the Region 2 tournament at home on Wednesday against the Section 1 runner-up between the loser of the Phillip Barbour/Webster County contest.
Petersburg (10-13) will play the winner of that game.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Keyser to play Petersburg in Sectional Final
KEYSER — The Keyser Golden Tornado will host the Petersburg Vikings in Friday’s Region II, Section I title.
Keyser defeated Frankfort on Tuesday night, 65-44.
Jeremy Green’s 16 points led Keyser (17-6).
Petersburg edged Berkeley Springs, 58-57, on Tuesday.
Keyser swept the season series, posting an 88-55 win in Petersburg on February 7 and a 83-47 victory in Keyser on February 19.
Tip-off from Tornado Alley is at 7:30 p.m.
The winner will host the loser of Section II’s championship game; the loser will travel to the winner of Section II.
The two regional games will be on Wednesday, March 11, at 7:30 p.m.
Keyser defeated Frankfort on Tuesday night, 65-44.
Jeremy Green’s 16 points led Keyser (17-6).
Petersburg edged Berkeley Springs, 58-57, on Tuesday.
Keyser swept the season series, posting an 88-55 win in Petersburg on February 7 and a 83-47 victory in Keyser on February 19.
Tip-off from Tornado Alley is at 7:30 p.m.
The winner will host the loser of Section II’s championship game; the loser will travel to the winner of Section II.
The two regional games will be on Wednesday, March 11, at 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Tornado Blows Past Falcons, 65-44
KEYSER — Strong starts to all four quarters powered the Keyser Golden Tornado to a 65-44 win over the Frankfort Falcons in boys’ sectional basketball action at Tornado Alley Tuesday night.
KHS started the four quarters with runs of 10-2, 6-0, 8-0, and 8-0, respectively.
The Golden Tornado received a balanced scoring effort.
Jeremy Green led the way with 16 points, ten rebounds, and three steals; Preston Hartman had 14 points, 13 rebounds and three steals, Matt Wilmer 12 points, and Wes Washington 10 points and four assists.
In a valiant effort, Logan Wolford had 17 points to lead Frankfort.
Keyser came out flying, opening up a 6-0 lead in the first minute-and-a-half of the game and forcing Frankfort coach Scott Slider to take a quick timeout.
Three straight points by Frankfort’s Travis Myers brought Frankfort back within five, 10-5, with 2:20 left.
Good defense by Frankfort and Keyser’s inability to finish around the rim kept the Falcons within shouting distance.
The Golden Tornado led 14-9 after the first quarter.
A Dusty Myers layup closed the Falcons within a possession, 14-11, 18 seconds into the half.
But Keyser countered with a 6-0 run, capped by a Preston Hartman pull-up jumper in transition.
Keyser led, 20-11, with 5:02 left in the first half.
The Falcons cut back within five, 20-15, on a Logan Wolford basket.
But the Golden Tornado again had an answer.
Keyser scored eight of the next ten points; a Matt Wilmer blocked shot led to Wes Washington’s transition layup and KHS’s first double-digit lead, 28-17, with 1:12 to go in the half.
The Golden Tornado took a 32-19 lead into the locker room.
Hartman’s eight points led Keyser; Wolford had six, all in the second quarter, to top Frankfort.
KHS again started the half hot, tallying a quick eight points to move ahead 40-19. Matt Wilmer had four points during the run.
Wolford took control for Frankfort, scoring the next eight points to cut the lead to 40-27 with 3:41 left in the third quarter.
But Keyser again answered, this time with an 8-2 run. Hartman had four points inside.
KHS led, 48-29, at the 1:41 mark.
After three quarters, the Golden Tornado led 49-34, despite nine points from Wolford in the quarter.
Once again, the beginning of the quarter went Keyser’s way.
KHS scored the first eight points of the frame to open up a 59-36 lead and cruised the rest of the game.
Keyser improves to 17-6 with the win and will host either Berkeley Springs or Petersburg for the sectional title Friday night.
Frankfort ends the season at 8-15.
KHS started the four quarters with runs of 10-2, 6-0, 8-0, and 8-0, respectively.
The Golden Tornado received a balanced scoring effort.
Jeremy Green led the way with 16 points, ten rebounds, and three steals; Preston Hartman had 14 points, 13 rebounds and three steals, Matt Wilmer 12 points, and Wes Washington 10 points and four assists.
In a valiant effort, Logan Wolford had 17 points to lead Frankfort.
Keyser came out flying, opening up a 6-0 lead in the first minute-and-a-half of the game and forcing Frankfort coach Scott Slider to take a quick timeout.
Three straight points by Frankfort’s Travis Myers brought Frankfort back within five, 10-5, with 2:20 left.
Good defense by Frankfort and Keyser’s inability to finish around the rim kept the Falcons within shouting distance.
The Golden Tornado led 14-9 after the first quarter.
A Dusty Myers layup closed the Falcons within a possession, 14-11, 18 seconds into the half.
But Keyser countered with a 6-0 run, capped by a Preston Hartman pull-up jumper in transition.
Keyser led, 20-11, with 5:02 left in the first half.
The Falcons cut back within five, 20-15, on a Logan Wolford basket.
But the Golden Tornado again had an answer.
Keyser scored eight of the next ten points; a Matt Wilmer blocked shot led to Wes Washington’s transition layup and KHS’s first double-digit lead, 28-17, with 1:12 to go in the half.
The Golden Tornado took a 32-19 lead into the locker room.
Hartman’s eight points led Keyser; Wolford had six, all in the second quarter, to top Frankfort.
KHS again started the half hot, tallying a quick eight points to move ahead 40-19. Matt Wilmer had four points during the run.
Wolford took control for Frankfort, scoring the next eight points to cut the lead to 40-27 with 3:41 left in the third quarter.
But Keyser again answered, this time with an 8-2 run. Hartman had four points inside.
KHS led, 48-29, at the 1:41 mark.
After three quarters, the Golden Tornado led 49-34, despite nine points from Wolford in the quarter.
Once again, the beginning of the quarter went Keyser’s way.
KHS scored the first eight points of the frame to open up a 59-36 lead and cruised the rest of the game.
Keyser improves to 17-6 with the win and will host either Berkeley Springs or Petersburg for the sectional title Friday night.
Frankfort ends the season at 8-15.
Keyser Overpowers Frankfort, 65-44
KEYSER, W.Va. — Keyser had too much speed and too much depth for Frankfort, opening the third quarter with an 8-0 run to advance to the West Virginia Class AA, Region 2, Section 2 championship game this Friday with a 65-44 victory over the Falcons Tuesday at Keyser.
Jeremy Green scored 16 points, had 10 rebounds, three steals and two blocked shots to lead the Golden Tornado (17-6), while Preston Hartman scored 14 points with 13 rebounds and three steals.
Matt Wilmer scored 12 points for Keyser, with two blocked shots, and Wes Washington scored 10 points and had four assists.
For Frankfort (8-15), Logan Wolford scored 17 points and Dusty Myers hit for 12 points.
Keyser led 14-9 after the first quarter, and increased it to 32-19 at the half. After its 8-0 start to the third quarter, the Tornado entered the fourth quarter with a 49-34 lead.
Keyser will host the Petersburg-Berkeley Springs winner in the Sectional championship 2 game Friday.
Keyser Moves into Top Ten in AA Associated Press Poll
CHARLESTON — The Keyser Golden Tornado moved into the top ten of the Associated Press West Virginia Class AA boys’ basketball poll, released Tuesday.
Keyser received eleven votes, two ahead of Poca and six behind No. 9 Pike View. Wyoming East (21-1) is the unanimous No. 1, receiving all nine first-place votes.
Oak Hill, Sissonville, Magnolia, and Ravenswood make up the rest of the top five.
Fellow Region II schools Grafton and Webster County are sixth and seventh. Weir is eighth.
Keyser received eleven votes, two ahead of Poca and six behind No. 9 Pike View. Wyoming East (21-1) is the unanimous No. 1, receiving all nine first-place votes.
Oak Hill, Sissonville, Magnolia, and Ravenswood make up the rest of the top five.
Fellow Region II schools Grafton and Webster County are sixth and seventh. Weir is eighth.
Mineral County Rubber Match - Keyser vs. Frankfort in First Round Sectional Play
KEYSER — The third time really will be the charm tonight when the Frankfort Falcons (8-14) head across the county to battle the No. 10 Keyser Golden Tornado (16-6) in the first round of the West Virginia boys’ basketball sectional playoffs.
Keyser won the first meeting at home, 74-29, on December 23. KHS’s Matt Wilmer poured in 14 of his game-high 17 points in the first half.
But Frankfort pulled off a 60-55 stunner exactly a month later, with Skyler Minke’s 13 points leading a balanced Falcon attack.
Gary Liston’s Golden Tornado are peaking at the right time, ripping off eight straight wins and posting a 9-1 record in the month of February.
Scott Slider’s Falcons, too, have played well of late, racking up four straight wins before suffering a 72-44 Senior Day loss to Allegany on Thursday.
Frankfort is actually over .500 (7-6) in the stretch beginning with their win over Keyser.
The winner will advance to Friday’s sectional final against the winner of Berkeley Springs at Petersburg, which also is being played on Tuesday night. Keyser, seeded first, will host if they win; Frankfort, seeded fourth, will have to travel.
Due to changes made in this year’s post-season format, the two sectional finalists are also guaranteed a regional game: each sectional winner will host the second-place team from the opposite section on March 11.
In order of seeding, Grafton, Lincoln, Webster County, Philip Barbour, Braxton County, and Liberty Harrison make up the other section in Region II.
Two teams from each region advance to the state tournament, which begins March 18 at the Civic Center in Charleston.
Keyser won the first meeting at home, 74-29, on December 23. KHS’s Matt Wilmer poured in 14 of his game-high 17 points in the first half.
But Frankfort pulled off a 60-55 stunner exactly a month later, with Skyler Minke’s 13 points leading a balanced Falcon attack.
Gary Liston’s Golden Tornado are peaking at the right time, ripping off eight straight wins and posting a 9-1 record in the month of February.
Scott Slider’s Falcons, too, have played well of late, racking up four straight wins before suffering a 72-44 Senior Day loss to Allegany on Thursday.
Frankfort is actually over .500 (7-6) in the stretch beginning with their win over Keyser.
The winner will advance to Friday’s sectional final against the winner of Berkeley Springs at Petersburg, which also is being played on Tuesday night. Keyser, seeded first, will host if they win; Frankfort, seeded fourth, will have to travel.
Due to changes made in this year’s post-season format, the two sectional finalists are also guaranteed a regional game: each sectional winner will host the second-place team from the opposite section on March 11.
In order of seeding, Grafton, Lincoln, Webster County, Philip Barbour, Braxton County, and Liberty Harrison make up the other section in Region II.
Two teams from each region advance to the state tournament, which begins March 18 at the Civic Center in Charleston.
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