Sports in The Dominion Post

This article appeared in the Dominion Post Newspaper on February 29, 2004.
Sizzling Patriots hand Mohigansfirst defeat

Parkersburg South's huge early lead too much

The Dominion Post

PARKERSBURG -- Eric Baileys and Ryan Dawson combined to hit five 3-pointers in the first quarter, helping Parkersburg South roar to a 26-10 lead, and the Patriots went on to hand top-ranked Morgantown High its first defeat, 73-51, in nonconference boys' b asketball Saturday.

Parkersburg South, the defending state Class AAA champion, upped the lead to 38-20 by halftime and coasted.

"They just came out on fire in the first quarter," MHS coach Tom Yester said, "and we couldn't hit a bull in the backside with a bass fiddle."

The Patriots were hot the whole game, making 9 of 18 3-point shots and going 28-of-54 overall. Baileys and Dawson scored 19 points apiece.

Marlan Robinson had 12 and Chris Carey 11 for MHS (21-1).

"We usually have four guys in double figures," Yester said. "We had two. If we'd had two more we'd have had a chance. But this was (the Patriots') night, Senior Night.

"The only positive we can take from this, they lost to us last year in the last game and went on to win state."

Morgantown's first step toward a possible rematch in the state tournament comes Friday, when the Mohigans meet University in a sectional game.

* KINGWOOD -- Chad Chambers scored 20 points, making 10 of 11 free throws, and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead Preston High past Elkins, 58-51, in an NCAC game.

Cameron Walls added 14 points and nine boards for the Knights and Justin Waybright had 11 points.

Preston rolled to a 16-5 lead after a quarter but then went cold. "We come out and put the ball in the hoop," PHS coach Barry Sanders said, "then we were 0-for-8 in the second quarter, made only two free throws."

That allowed Elkins back in the game. The Tigers trailed, 18-16, at the half.

But Preston found its offense again in the third quarter, taking a 31-24 lead, then both teams lit it up in the fourth, totalling 53 points -- just two shy of the first three quarters combined.

"It was a good NCAC win for us, it pretty well guarantees us third place," Sanders said. His team "played strong, played hard. I thought it was an outstanding game. We played great defense the entire game."

Drew Pingley led Elkins with 17 points.

MORGANTOWN 21-1

Kerns 0 0-0 0, Hall 2 0-0 4, Benson 1 0-0 2, Oliver 1 4-4 6, Carey 5 1-2 11, Robinson 4 2-2 12, Law 0 2-2 2, Jones 1 0-0 2, Torsney 3 0-1 6, Holt 2 2-2 4, Straface 0 0-0 0, Dunn 0 0-0 0. Totals 19 11-13 51.

PARKERSBURG SOUTH (15-7)

Baruwa 5 0-1 10, Dawson 8 1-1 19, Mayhew 0 2-2 2, McCallister 3 1-1 8, Baileys 6 2-2 19, Bush 2 2-2 6, Dobson 2 0-0 5, Full 2 0-0 4. Totals 28 8-9 73.

Morgantown High10 10 14 17 -- 51

Parkersburg South26 12 19 16 -- 73

3-point goals--MHS 2 (Robinson 2), PSHS 9 (Baileys 5, Dawson 2, McCallister 1, Dobson 1). JV--MHS 64 (Lindsay 20, Siriwardane 18, Nick Straface 11), Parkerbsurg South 62. MHS finishes 19-1. Friday's JV--MHS 64 (Jeff Lindsay 12, Emil Siriwardane 10, Brandon Stuchell 10), Fairmont Senior 48, MHS (14-0) wins NCAC.

ELKINS (13-8, 7-6 NCAC))

Starrick 5 0-0 12, Pingley 6 3-3 17, Phares 2 7-9 11, Bodkin 1 0-0 2, Kalar 2 3-4 7, Stanifer 1 0-0 2. Totals 17 13-16 51.

PRESTON (13-9, 9-5)

Walls 5 3-4 14, Metheny 1 5-7 7, Chambers 4 10-11 20, Boone 3 0-0 6, Waybright 3 2-4 11. Totals 16 20-26 58.

Elkins5 11 8 26 -- 51

Preston16 2 13 27 -- 58

3-point goals--Elkins 4 (Starrick 2, Pingley 2), Preston 6 (Waybright 3, Chambers 2, Walls 1).

Freshman boys

Josh Layton scored 17 points and Trapper Jennings 13 to lead Preston past Elkins, 61-51. Ross Ware led Elkins with 11.