Huntington, W. Va. — In a wild atmosphere Huntington St. Joe came from behind to beat Tolsia 46-42 in the Class A Region Co-Final at Spring Valley Tuesday.
The Rebels jumped out to a 13-6 lead after the first quarter behind 11 points from Parker Watts.
Parker Watts had a game high 23 points against St. Joe Tuesday.
The Irish erased the deficit and the two teams were knotted up at 22 apiece at Halftime.
In the third quarter the Rebels surged ahead 35-30 at the end of the third quarter behind six points from CJ Waller.
In the fourth the Irish went up 41-36 before the Rebels got within 41-40 with two minutes left but Tolsia couldn’t get any closer as the Irish closed out the game at the line.
The Rebels were led by Parker Watts with 23 points, CJ Waller tallied 8 points, Robert Evans added 7 points, Bryson Muncy and Cole Blackburn had 2 points each.
Tolsia connected on 4 three pointers and went 8 of 13 from the charity stripe.
St. Joe was led by Miciah Ehirim with 15 points, Gavin Polan and Grady Paynter had 14 points each and Nymir Bryant 3 points.
The Fighting Irish connected on 6 three pointers and went 13 of 22 from the free throw line.
Tolsia 13 9 13 7 = 42
St. Joe 6 16 8 15 = 46
Huntington St. Joe ( 17-7 ) will advance to the Class 1A state tournament and will be the #8 seed and play #1 seed Tucker Co. ( 21-3 ) on Wednesday at 5:30 in Charleston.
Tolsia Head Coach Brian Stacy talks to his team during a fourth quarter time out in the Region Championship game.
Tolsia loses three seniors but return four starters including leading scorer Parker Watts, Robert Evans, Evan Ball and CJ Waller along with Dakota Blackburn, Cole Blackburn and Cyrus Chaudhry.
Tolsia Head Coach Brian Stacy
COACH’S COMMENTS
“… First of all I want say to all you blue and orange bleeding Rebel fans thanks a bunch. My guys absolutely love the Rebel fans and students.”
“… Secondly I want thank my guys for leaving it all on the floor last night. As a coach that’s all we can ask for give me 110% and let the chips fall where they fall and they did. Our defense was spot on take in mind we only put the zone defense in 5 days ago. I’m a strong man to man guy but I also want to give my guys the best chance at winning. They beat us the last time by 30 points so I think the guys nailed it on defense. We made a few mistakes but let me remind you these are kids playing a game they love. And if you’ve ever played the game mistake free my hats off to you but I assure you that you haven’t. I tell my guys you want the crowd you bust your butt they’ll come that’s what they want give them 110% and they’ll follow you.”
“… I love my guys my team all the way to the last guy on the bench. Can’t never see me going anywhere else unless Mr. Little runs me off. To my JV team you guys sitting on the bench I love you guys you bring excitement to the team you’re there for these guys every night and lot of times you got a cheering section 2 inches from your neck yelling obscenities but you hang right in there. Love you guys!!!”
“… One of the hardest parts of losing that last game is walking in that locker room and facing those seniors that just played their last game as a Rebel and it’s so hard. People think you go in and say your little speech and go home. It’s not that easy guys if you truly love your team. My 3 seniors are the bomb. Bryson Muncy plays with such a high level of intensity at times that shoot I can’t get him calmed down on the bench, he’s a competitor at heart!! Bradee Vance is nothing short of a warrior who has over come adversity. Most kids his age would have rode it off into the sun set and been happy but he’s doing something he loves doing and the team needed him as much as he needed them. Josh Hofmeister what can I say about Josh I could write for days on him, he’s been with me for 3 long years he came in this summer and assumed the leadership role on this team without me asking him to. He knew what this team needed as much as I did and he done it. Always encouraging everyone and always being there for the freshman. Everyday we split teams Josh played with the JV team not because I told him just because that’s who he is. Take in mind he started 17 games this season. Just a true leader on and off the court. These guys will be missed deeply.”
“… This has been such a fun year. We got to go to Indiana to play ball. I got to watch the freshman grow up right in front of me. I’ve got to watch my sophomore’s get serious about the game. Watch the juniors mature so much in one off season. We got to retire jerseys. We broke the single game scoring record, watch Parker light it up not once but twice with twelve 3 pointers in a game. Most of all we got to watch Parker mature into young man. Got to watch Cole everyday in practice trying to dunk the ball till he finally threw one down. Just few of the little things we done this year.”
“… One thing that makes you proud as a coach is the work they put out in the community for nothing just to help out. I’ve called them late at night to tell them they got a truck that needs unloaded at Crum in the morning no problem Coach we will take care of it. Hey Johnda Brumfield needs help at Louisa OVP tomorrow morning we got it coach. That’s what makes my team so special.”
“… They’ll take couple weeks off and then they’ll be right back at it full force. Some probably won’t take two weeks they’ll head straight to the weight room. I love love my Rebels!!! Great season and those hold heads up high we’ll be back!!!”
LOVE MY REBELS!!!!
