Magnolia 74, Tyler 35

Magnolia raced out to a 21-9 run and never looked back against the Silver Knights in the Tyler Consolidated Roundball Tournament at Kidwell Jan. 14, gaining a much-deserved 74-35 victory.

The opening of the tournament was postponed Friday because of the weather and would have to wait until Saturday to get it underway.

After taking an 11-point lead in the first period, the Eagles would rely on the outside shooting of the Keller brothers, Jayson and Drew, along with Stephen Rogalski, to extend Magnolia’s lead to 31-18 at the break. Rogalski returned to the hardwood for the first time since being injured in a pre-season scrimmage.

When Rogalski came in midway in the first quarter, he would score a pair of three-point baskets, make a steal, and pull down a rebound, while dishing off a pair of assists.

In the third period, Magnolia scored 20 points, while their defense held the Knights to only five points and held a 51-23 lead heading into the fourth frame.

In the fourth period, Mark Winters would make a steal that resulted in a dunk, then hit a triple from the corner, blocked a shot, and set up Rogalski on an alley-oop, before heading to the bench for the rest of the game.

Winters tallied 26 points to pace the Blue Eagles, while Rogalski came off the bench to net 16 points, including four baskets from downtown. Hunter Campbell and Mike Winters also came off the bench to net six points apiece.

Zach Wilhoite and Nick Blatt each added five points in limited play, while Jayson Keller tallied four points. Drew Keller and Tanner Hanna each dented the Knights’ scoreboard with three points.

As a team, Magnolia made 28-46 shots and converted 10-15 free throws. All 12 players on the Eagle varsity team dressed, played, and saw significant court time.

“We played hard. Unfortunately, we lost a day because of bad weather and were unable to play a complete tournament,” said Magnolia Head Coach Dave Tallman. “Tyler does so well in putting this thing together and it’s a shame we couldn’t play every day of the tournament.”

Magnolia 85,

Monroe Central 60

The Blue Eagles’ Mark Winters joined an illustrious group of former Magnolia basketball players when he sank a jumper for his 1,000th point Monday night against Monroe Central at Magnolia High School. The score helped power the Blue to a convincing 85-60 victory.

The Eagles opened the flood gates early when they jumped out to a comfortable 25-10 lead after one period of play before cooling down a tad with a 24-point outburst in the second. They went into the locker room with a 49-28 lead.

Magnolia tallied 36 second-half points to put the finishing touches on a historic night in the HammerDome. Winters finished with 34 points, including a trio of baskets from beyond the arc, while snagging 10 boards for a double-double. MHS sophomore teammate Zach Wilhoite followed with 15 markers, including three from long range, while the Keller boys, Jayson and Drew, each sank a pair of long range missiles.

In addition, Nick Blatt netted six points, while Evan Heslep came off the bench to sink a triple and a deuce. Hunter Campbell and Drew Estep finished off the Eagle scoring with four points and two points, respectively.

Magnolia will host Wheeling Central tonight at 6 p.m. and will take on St. Marys Ryken of Maryland, coached by Magnolia Head Coach Dave Tallman’s son, David, in Morgantown on Saturday at 12:30 p.m.

Paden City 66,

St. John 29

The Bidwell brothers, Geoffrey and Drew, marked up 31 points to lead Paden City in its third victory of the season against Bellaire St John, 66-29, in Bob Burton Gymnasium Saturday.

The Wildcats opened the game with an 8-0 run before settling for a 10-4 lead after one period of play. The Wildcats upped their total by a deuce, while limiting their Irish visitors to two baskets in the second frame to go into the locker room up 22-8.

Paden City tallied 17 points in the third period and 27 more in the fourth period to avenge an earlier defeat with a convincing 37-point victory.

Kennedy Cain followed the Bidwell brothers with 14 points, while Zach Heasley netted nine points. Jay Billiter contributed three baskets, while Kane Pyles, Brandon Cross, and Craig Allen each recorded a deuce for the Wildcats.

Paden City 56, Bishop 93

Kennedy Cain tallied a team-high 20 points and Zach Heasley and Geoffrey Bidwell each netted 10 points, but it wasn’t enough to prevent Bishop Donahue from prevailing, 93-56, in Paden City, Jan. 10.

Brandon Cross contributed seven points for the Wildcats, while Kane Pyles netted five, and Levi Meadows and Craig Allen each tallied a deuce.

Paden City 36,

Beallsville 68

Paden City freshman Kennedy Cain tallied 20 points, but it wasn’t enough, as the Beallsville Blue Devils defeated Paden City 68-36 Jan. 16 in Blue Devil territory.

The young Wildcats hung in with the Devils during the first period, before Beallsville exploded for 21 points, while holding the ‘Cats to six markers and grabbing a 40-17 halftime lead.

Zach Heasley followed Cain with seven points, while Drew Bidwell and Jay Billiter tallied five and two points, respectively.

The Wildcats will try for win four when they host Harman at 1 p.m., Jan. 21, at Bob Burton Gymnasium.