Mark “Special K” Winters knocked down four triples en route to a 22-point performance to help Magnolia defeat the Ravenswood Red Devils 63-42 in the finale of the Region I AA Rotary Challenge, held at the MHS HammerDome Jan. 28.

“We are planning a challenge next year,” said Jim Blatt, tournament director. “Magnolia and Tyler move to Class-A next year and Point Pleasant goes to Class-AAA. This means the whole format will change. We have a lot of work ahead of us to pull this together again next year.”

The Eagles raced out to a 16-4 lead in the first quarter and upped its advantage to 33-16 at the break. The Blue Eagles rocked the Red Devils 21-13 in the third, before the Ravenswood reserves outscored the Eagles reserves, 13-9 the rest of the way.

Four Big Blue players scored in double figures, led by Winters with 22 points; Hunter Campbell and Zach Wilhoite each with 11 points; and Stephen Rogalski with 10 markers, including two from long range. Nick Blatt was one point from joining this group, netting nine for all the Magnolia scoring.

Blue Eagle Head Coach Dave Tallman’s wife, Carol; her four sisters; along and Robin Keller did a fantastic job with the hospitality area. Eva Rogalski and Becky Winters also did a great job in helping with the player and cheerleading hospitality area.

“It was particularly special to have a bunch of Rotary members stay after the last game and help clean up,” said Jim Blatt. “Of course, the list goes on and on. Everyone involved did an outstanding job. My hat’s off to all the coaches, players, and school staffs. These teams shared locker rooms throughout the day without incident, as teams have for the past three years. I think this really reflects well on the type of coaches and communities we are dealing with.”

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In the opening game, the Roane County Raiders raced out to a 25-7 lead in the first, paced by five three-pointers, and held on for a 75-65 win over the Oak Glen Golden Bears.

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In the second game of the day, the Ritchie County Rebel offense started out a little shaky, but 11 baskets beyond the arc was just the medicine they needed in beating the Weir Red Riders, 70-66.

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In the third game of the night, the Point Pleasant Blacks used runs of 9-0 in the first quarter, 11-0 late in the second quarter, and an 8-0 in the third period to hand Tyler Consolidated a 72-49 defeat.

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Sandwiched between the Tyler/Point Pleasant game and the Magnolia/ Ravenswood games, former MHS and WVU standout Jim McCormick was honored. Doug Huff welcomed McCormick and MHS Head Coach Dave Tallman presented McCormick with a gift. New Martinsville Mayor Lucille Blum presented the roundball star with a key to the city.

In addition, MHS Principal Kathi Schmalz gave McCormick a collage of pictures from his glory days at MHS and WVU.

A number of contributors made this year’s event another success: New Martinsville Rotary, Dana Liquid Transport, NM Grasshopper Basketball, Quinet’s Court Restaurant, Buddy Light Jr. Income Tax Service and Bookkeeping, Original PJ’s Pizza, Riverview Subway, Blue’s Sidecar Restaurant, and Playoff’s Sports Lounge.

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Magnolia used a 17-5 lead in the third period to win 59-42 over the Weir Red Riders Jan. 25 in Weirton.

Winters had a double-double – 21 points and 15 rebounds – to pace the Big Blue, while Rogalski netted 14 points, including a pair of three point baskets. Campbell contributed eight points, while Jayson Keller tacked on six points, five steals, four assists, and blocked a shot.

Drew Keller netted five points, including a long range bomb, while Tanner Hanna swished a triple and Wilhoite a deuce. Blatt didn’t score, but hauled in six rebounds, blocked two Rider shots, and swiped two balls. He also dished out an assist.

As a team, Magnolia had 17 steals in the game and blocked five shots. The Eagles are on top of the OVAC Class III-A and will finish the regular season on the road Feb. 4 against Brooke and Feb. 10 at Oak Glen.

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The Magnolia Freshman Boys’ Basketball Team played five games in eight days, winning four and losing one game in January.

At Linsly School, the Eagles got behind the hot shooting of Spencer Campbell to defeat the Cadets, 45-21. Campbell netted 35 points, while Wesley Morgan followed with six markers. Dylan Shimp and Brandon Fayed each put up a deuce.

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In its second game, Magnolia dropped a 72-39 contest to Bishop Donahue. Campbell led the way offensively with 19 points, while Fayed followed with six points. Morgan netted five points; Aeron Cabral, four points; Zac Pritchard, three points; and Shimp, a deuce.

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The Eagles won the next three games, beating Doddridge, 51-28; John Marshall, 55-34; and Wheeling Park, 50-45. Campbell led the Eagles in all three victories, scoring 20, 27, and 23 points, respectively, while Morgan knocked in 24 points in the Doddridge and Bishop Donahue victories.

Shimp added six markers against Doddridge, 11 against the Monarchs, and 20 in the win against Park. Logan Moffitt totaled 17 points in the three victories, while Trey Davis, Celedon, and Fayed also contributed in those victories.

The Magnolia freshmen team will finish the season on the road against Parkersburg Catholic, Ritchie, Tyler, and Monroe Central.