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Magnolia Blue Eagles, Tyler Consolidated Silver Knights Eliminated From Girls Tournament

St. Marys, Ritchie County move on in sectionals

Magnolia’s Jordan Delaney (20) tries to beat Ritchie County’s Cassie Tallman (13) during Tuesday’s Sectional semifinal contest at Paden City. Photo by Cody Tomer

PADEN CITY — Slow starts to the West Virginia Class A Region 1, Section 2 semifinals proved to be the kryptonite for both Magnolia and Tyler Consolidated.

Magnolia dropped its contest with Ritchie County by a 57-50 score, while Tyler Consolidated fell 66-53 to St. Marys on Tuesday at Paden City.

In the second game of the evening, the Blue Eagles (15-8) fell behind 13-5 in the first quarter, trailed 28-15 midway through the second stanza and were down 43-35 heading into the fourth.

However, the Eagles kept coming and cut the deficit to just 50-48 with 3:14 remaining, before Ritchie County’s Cassie Tallman connected on five free throws down the stretch to help secure a victory for the Rebels, along with a spot in the sectional championship at 7 p.m. Friday against St. Marys at Paden City High School.

“Ritchie County played better than we did,” Magnolia coach Tom Tisher said. “We got off to a terrible start and we made a nice comeback but it was just too big of a hill to climb.

“We left everything on the floor. Our girls played as hard as they could but it just didn’t go the way we wanted.”

Ritchie County held a 14-9 edge after the opening quarter but opened its lead to 28-15 because of a 9-0 run, sparked by Tallman who dribbled her way through traffic all the way to the bucket for the layup.

Following the 9-0 spurt by the Rebels, Magnolia responded with a quick 7-0 run as senior Jordan Delaney caught fire with a pair of baskets before she drained a 3-pointer to cut the score to 28-22 with just 1:12 left in the half.

Ritchie County answered with a Stephanie Kirk score and a Abi Haught bucket with just three seconds left in the first half to put the Rebels up by a 32-22 count heading into the locker room

Magnolia delivered a 9-0 run during the third quarter as Kyndra Pilant turned in four points but Ritchie County still led by eight going into the final eight minutes.

The Blue Eagles made its charge early in the fourth on a 7-2 run as Delaney connected from beyond the arc to narrow the score to just 45-42 with 4:16 to go in the contest.

Back-to-back buckets by senior Taylor Ludewig and Delaney cut the Eagles’ deficit to 50-48 with 3:14 to play but Tallman’s clutch free-throw shooting put an end to an up and down season for Magnolia.

“I feel bad for our seniors,” Tisher said. “Senior Autumn Cecil came back from a major knee injury and got to play a little at the end of the season, which helped us.

“We started 0-3 and went 15-5 the rest of the year. Once we got it clicking, we did well. I wish Ritchie County the best of luck and want to thank Paden City for hosting the event. We just have to move on to next season now.”

Magnolia was led by Delaney and Ludewig, who each tallied 14 points in their final game, while senior Kelsi Chapman wrapped up a remarkable high school career with 13 points and Kyndra Pilant recorded nine.

Ritchie County was led by Tallman with 21 and Stephanie Kirk with 19.

In the other sectional contest, Tyler Consolidated (10-13) fell behind 12-0 to St. Marys and rallied to cut the deficit to 28-22 with 30 seconds left in the first half and kept it at 50-43 entering the fourth quarter before the Blue Devils outscored the Silver Knights, 16-10, in the fourth to clinch a sectional final matchup with Ritchie County.

“Our girls never give up,” Tyler coach Cathy Boggs said. “Unfortunately, that is probably the worst game we have played this season. We just couldn’t get anything going but we battled through the whole game. To be down as far as we were and then comeback, it says a lot about them.

“We are excited. We are only losing one senior, Aleah Black, who is an important piece, but we have kids who are ready to step in.”

Josey Jones led Tyler with 19 points, followed by Peyton Kocher with 10, Amanda Reynolds with eight, while JoLee Walton and Black each turned in seven points.

St. Marys was led by Whitney Jemison who poured in 20, Addie Furr who accounted for 15 and Jordan Fox who added 10.

W.Va. Class AA

Region One, Section Two

Fairmont Senior 90, Oak Glen 25

FAIRMONT — Five Fairmont Senior player scored in double figures as it eliminated Oak Glen. Erica Bowles led the way with 20 points.

For the Golden Bears, Maisie Witherow had 12 points.

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