Magnolia 82,

Wheeling Central 71

The Blue Eagles’ Preston Boswell scored 27 points to lead a quartet of double-figure scorers in an 82-71 victory over the previously undefeated Wheeling Central Maroon Knights Jan. 11 at Wheeling Central High School Gymnasium.

With the game knotted at four early in the first quarter, the Blue Eagles would outscore their hosts 20-7 the rest of the frame to take a 24-11 advantage, thanks in part to Spencer Campbell’s 12 points that included back-to-back bonus bombs.

In the second frame, Boswell tallied 10 points, including a pair of long-range baskets, while teammate Derek Blain contributed five markers, including one triple, to give the visitors a 49-29 half-time edge.

When play resumed, Magnolia’s 6’7” Zach Wilhoite got into foul trouble, went to the bench, and the Blue Eagle advantage dropped from 21 points to 13 points at the end of three periods.

Magnolia would build its lead back up a bit, but Wilhoite would foul out with 5:48 remaining in regulation. “I should have had him out of the game at that point,” said Magnolia Head Coach Dave Tallman. “That was my fault.”

The Knights, ranked #2 in WVSSAC Class-1A, would make one last run and cut their deficit to single digits. But Boswell, who contributed nine points in the final period, netted a pair of free throws, made a steal and a lay-in with 1:48 remaining to seal it for Magnolia. “Boswell wants the ball in his hands when the game is on the line,” stated Tallman. “And I can’t say enough about the play of Winters down the stretch. He stepped up and did a great job scoring seven of his 10 points and Chase Miller did a great job on defense.”

“Central has a great team and you know that David Park and Chase Harley are going to score,” said Tallman. Magnolia was able to hold Alonzo Manns in check, limiting him to seven points, while Park and Harley teamed for 29 points. Manns was the MVP of the Cancer Research Classic last weekend.

“You have to give my kids credit. They played great basketball, did what they had to do, and came out with a victory against a very, very good team,” added Tallman. “No doubt about it. This was a huge win. This is one that the voters will have to look at when it comes down to the regional seeding. To come in here and beat a great team like Wheeling Central is huge.”

Boswell paced the red-hot Blue Eagles with a game-high 27 points, including a trio of bonus bombs, and converted 10-13 charity tosses. Campbell followed with 16 markers that included a pair of baskets from beyond the arc, while Wilhoite added a double-double, 14 points, 10 rebounds, and blocked two Wheeling Central shots.

Winters tallied 10 points and hauled in eight boards, while Kyle Ritz netted six points. Blain sent up five points and Miller rang in with four points.

Following a home game with the River Pilots Tuesday after press time, the Blue Eagles will participate in the Boggs Pizza Roundball Classic at Tyler Consolidated High School at 6 p.m. Friday. The classic starts Thursday, Jan. 16 at 6 p.m. with the Magnolia Lady Eagles taking on Frontier and the Valley Lumberjills taking on Tyler Consolidated at 7 p.m.

St. John 72,

Hundred 36

St. John raced out to a 26-8 lead and never looked back in handing Hundred a 72-36 setback in boys basketball action Jan. 9 inside the Hornets Nest.

Holden Moore paced the Hornets with 14 points, while Andrew King and Greg Stewart shared 12 points and 14 rebounds. Brandon White contributed three points, while Hunter Goddard netted a deuce and Derek Crihfield drained a free throw.

“With this weather, it was the first time we’ve been in the gym since Dec. 31. We were very sluggish and got tired very quickly,” said Hundred Head Coach Brian Bartlett. “We didn’t shoot well, which was expected. But when we get beat down the floor, that’s unacceptable and we’ve got to take care of the ball. Having 29 turnovers is way too many and still expect to win.”

*****

It was more of the same in the junior varsity tilt, with St. John getting the nod, 42-23.

Danny Kolat scored six points to pace the Hornets, while Joe Mars contributed five points and hauled in six rebounds. Crihfield and White each netted four markers, while Greg Stewart and Devon Kimble each netted a deuce.

“We outscored Bellaire in the second half, but the deficit was too much to overcome,” commented Assistant Coach Terry Metz.

Paden City 74,

St. John 39

Kennedy Cain pumped in a game-high 32 markers to lead Paden City to a 74-39 victory over Bellaire St. John Jan. 11 in Irish territory.

Zach Heasley scored 12 points, grabbed eight rebounds, made six assists, four steals, and blocked three Irish shots in an all-around nice outing. Hayden Hizer followed with 11 points and made six assists, while Luke Cooper netted eight points, pulled down 11 boards and blocked three shots.

In addition, Aaron Heasley came off the bench to drain a threeball and a deuce, while Craig Allen tallied four points and made three steals. Deven Price ended the Wildcat scoring with a deuce.

Shadyside 64,

River 34

The River Pilots converted only 16-56 shots from the floor and cashed in on only 1-7 free throws that resulted in a 34-64 setback for the Pilots Jan. 11 in Tiger territory.

Jarrett Armann paced the slumping Pilots with 10 markers, while Joey Flannery netted eight points. In addition, Jared Ramsier netted five points that included a basket from beyond the arc, while Cole Isaly added four points.

The Pilots’ leading scorer, Eric Dierkes, was held to a season-low three points, while Parker Caretti and Brandon Smith each tacked on a deuce.

Beallsville 63,

Valley 56

The ‘Jacks outscored the Blue Devils in the second half, but it wasn’t quite enough to get past Beallsville, who won 63-56 Jan. 11 in Pine Grove.

Tucker Cain paced the Lumberjacks with 14 markers, while teammates Jack Wells and Triston Kocher tallied 12 and 10 points, respectively. Joey Preat and Dylan Irvin each tacked on six markers, while Trey Streets netted five points and Alex Midcap scored three.

The Lumberjacks will next take on Tyler Consolidated Friday, Jan. 17, at 7 p.m. in the nightcap of the Boggs Pizza Roundball Classic at Tyler Consolidated High School.