Fort Gay, W. Va. — Tolsia Girls ( 6-8 ) wrapped up the #1 seed in the section after a 48-46 victory over Tug Valley ( 4-12 ) Tuesday at Rebel Arena.
The Lady Rebels had a special guest at the game last night Coach Virgil is officially LFR.
With the victory Tolsia moved to 5-0 in Section play and beat the Panthers for the second time this season and third time in a row overall.
Emily Artrip was big down the stretch in the victory over rival Tug Valley
Emily Artrip led the Rebels with 17 points including 12 in the decisive fourth quarter, Jaycee Crum tallied 12 points, Amber Stevens and Kilee Preece added 6 points each, Olivia Kelly netted 5 points and Sara Sturgell chipped in with 2 points.
Tolsia was 11 of 25 from the free throw line and hit 1 three pointer.
Tug Valley was led by Haven Deskins with 16 points, Bailee Hall had 13 points, Katelyn Richardson had 9 points, Brook Spaulding 7 points, Mindi Dearnell 1 point.
The Panthers hit 3 three pointers and went 19 of 28 from the free throw line.
TVHS 5 9 19 13 = 46
THS 8 10 13 17 = 48
Tolsia 53 Hurley ( VA ) 44 ( Saturday )
Tolsia won the battle of Rebels on Saturday afternoon at Rebel Arena.
Lone Senior Sara Sturgell has been steady all year.
Amber Stevens led the victors with 15 points, Sara Sturgell and Jaycee Crum tallied 10 points each, Emily Artrip and Olivia Kelly had 9 points each.
Tolsia went 15 of 26 from the free throw line.
Mingo Central 62 Tolsia 30 ( Thursday )
The Rebels fell to the #4 team in class 2A on the road.
Kilee Preece led the Rebels with 10 points, Emily Artrip and Jaycee Crum netted 7 points each, Amber Stevens added 6 points.
Tolsia hit 3 three pointers and went 3 of 6 from the free throw line.
Tolsia 55 Man 33 ( Tuesday )
The Rebels made the long trip to Man and remained unbeaten in section play.
Amber Stevens eyes a free throw in a recent game.
Amber Stevens poured in a game high 18 points, Jaycee Crum added 12 points, Olivia Kelly netted 8 points, Kilee Preece tallied 7 points, Sara Sturgell had 4 points and Megan Clayton chipped in with 1 point.
Tolsia hit 2 three pointers and went 8 for 17 from the free throw line.
The Rebels will return to action tonight at home versus Chesapeake ( OH ) and then Thursday at home against Buffalo. Both games will begin at 6:00.
Tolsia Head Coach Ric Morrone
COACH’S COMMENTS
“… Great win for our program, really proud of our girls because they really dug down in that fourth quarter and stayed together even though we battled foul trouble all night and pulled out the victory. We have such a young team with not much experience. I have four girls who get a lot of time who didn’t start playing until middle school.”
“… To be able to host sectionals on your home floor is a huge deal. Coach Ooten does a great job with Tug Valley and if we are fortunate to tangle with them a third time, it will be exciting. Both of our games so far could have went either way, proud of girls for a tough seven days and going 3-1 is huge for us.”
“… February 1st you are what you are, I have a sign in my office that says you are what you are and I love that. I told them on February 1st not going to be a major overhaul, your habits are who you are. I thought our defense tonight was what won us the game.”
“…To hold them to 14 points at the half and if not some sloppiness on our part it could have have been less. Defense travels and we really buckled down in the fourth quarter and got the job done. I’ve coached a long time and we have a prideful program and you love to see the kids find a way to get it done against your rival it’s special.”