Fort Gay, W. Va. — The Tolsia Girls ( 11-12 ) came up just short in a 42-39 defeat against Tug Valley ( 6-18 ) in the Region 4 Section 1 title game on Thursday at Rebel Arena.
The Panthers hit their first five shots and led 17-10 behind ten points from Haven Deskins before Emily Artrip hit a three pointer near the end of the first quarter and Tug Valley led 17-13 after one.
Emily Artrip nailed 5 three pointers against Tug Valley in the section final.
The Rebels carried over the momentum in the second quarter and led 23-17 before the Panthers stopped the run with a basket.
Tolsia led 26-22 at halftime.
In the third quarter Tug Valley outscored the Rebels 11-5 behind six points from Katelyn Richardson and led 33-31 going into the final stanza.
Late in the fourth period with the score tied at 38 apiece Deskins hit a corner three pointer with 1:41 left which proved to be the game winning shot.
Emily Artrip led Tolsia with 22 points including 5 three pointers, Kilee Preece tallied 7 points, Jayce Crum and Olivia Kelly added 5 points each.
Kilee Preece is locked in on defense in the title game.
The Rebels went 4 of 12 from the free throw line and hit 7 three pointers.
Tug Valley was led by Haven Deskins with 17 points, Katelyn Richardson had 13 points, Bailee Hall had 12 points.
The Panthers hit 5 three pointers and went 7 of 14 from the free throw line.
Despite the loss Tolsia will have another shot at advancing to the state tournament on Tuesday versus #4 Huntington St. Joe ( 18-5 ) in the Region 4 Co-Final at Spring Valley.
Tug Valley will host #1 Gilmer Co. ( 22-2 ) on the same night in the other Region 4 Co-Final.
Tolsia Head Coach Ric Morrone
COACH’S COMMENTS
“… Give Coach Ooten credit I know he has been battling some personal stuff this week as well, good friend, good coach and a great person. Two teams fighting so hard in a rivalry game and we got them twice in the regular season and they got us tonight. We will both move on to the region with a chance to play in the state tournament Tuesday night. Our region is probably the toughest in the state with #4 Huntington St. Joe and #1 Gilmer Co. on the other side and we know we will be on the road but our girls will show up and give everything they got no matter where we go. Disappointed that we didn’t make the plays down the stretch but give them credit for getting it done.”
“… The atmosphere tonight was truly amazing and I absolutely love it. Exactly what high school basketball is about. Anytime you put these two teams together it’s going to make for some exciting moments that’s for sure. We were inexperienced coming into the year but our girls have really grown up and is very resilient and is one game away from the big house. I’m excited to see what happens on Tuesday.”
