Matt Wilmer, Jeremy Green, Taige Redman and Preston Hartman hold up the Region II, Section I trophy after the game. The Golden Tornado defeated Petersburg 46-35 to advance to the Regional final against Webster County. The game will be played at Keyser High School on Wednesday, March 11, 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.