Huntington, W.V. — #2 Huntington St. Joe advanced to the Region 4 Co-Final with a 79-52 victory over Tolsia on Thursday at Spring Valley High school.
Keeton Blackburn with the nice jumper versus St. Joe
Senior Dakota Blackburn finished his Rebel career with a game high 24 points, Keeton Blackburn added 16 points including 4 three pointers, Brody Caudill tallied 8 points, Steeler Salmons and Kyndul Kincaid had 2 points each.
Dakota Blackburn glides in for a layup.
Tolsia hit 5 three pointers and went 9 of 10 from the free throw line.
The Fighting Irish was led by Brayden McDowell hit 6 three pointers and finished with 21 points, Isaiah Sanders, Grady Paynter and Micaiah Ehirim had 11 points each, Cylis Allen 8 points, Brody Runyon 6 points, Anderson Frye, Cam Keller and Cole Paynter 3 points each, Tucker Watts 1 point.
St. Joe hit 11 three pointers and went 4 of 10 from the free throw line.
St. Joe will play #3 seed Wirt Co. on Wednesday at Spring Valley.
Tolsia 8 11 17 16 – 52
St. Joe 15 24 19 20 – 79
Brody Caudill goes up strong for two points.
Tolsia Head Coach Brian Stacy
COACH’S COMMENTS
“…Contest every shot and give me all you got is all I ask from my guys and I wasn’t disappointed. Everyone wants to win including me but I ask my guys night in and night out for effort and tonight it was unmatched. There is a reason St. Joe is a #2 seed and it’s because they are dang good team that is senior strong and one of the favorites to win it all in Charleston.”
“… We come in like we have all year young and hardly any depth on the bench especially after our freshman point guard Nate Bryant went down against Van two days ago. My guys refused to be out hustled tonight, we might have been out manned but we were not out hustled. The effort was great is all I can say. We tried some different stuff tonight to try a rattle them and it work to a point. A lot of people gave up on my boys this year not realizing we lost all 5 starters from last year then two more starters as the year went on. So we were playing with a really young team. We got Kincaid back in the line up but honestly he’s running on about 60% but he said coach I’m going to play and that’s the end of conversation so that was that lol.”
“… My lone Senior Dakota Blackburn not much else to say but, he has been with me for 4 years and he’s one hard nose kid which all those Blackburn boys are. He told me coach if you see me catching my breath that’s all I’m doing I’m finishing on the floor. He’s been reserve player for us last three years and moved into starting role this year. I asked him to play numerous positions and he responded great. He broke 500 points last night which is awesome for the type of player he is. He Finished the season so strong for us. I can go on forever talking about these guys but I’m going say this I’m so so proud of my guys and I’d walk through the battlefield any day with them. Till next year LOVE MY REBELS!!!”
