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CHARLESTON -- Class AA No. 1 seed Poca played suffocating defense as the Dots downs Magnolia 43-19 in Tuesday's WVSSAC Class AA state tournament quarterfinal matchup.
The Blue Eagles were held to just an 18.2% shooting percentage in the game and struggled to even get shots off, attempting just 33 field goals in the game.
"Hats off to Poca, they play outstanding defense," Magnolia coach Dave Tallman said. "They're long, they don't foul, they keep you in front and it's just hard to get looks. And then they box out so well, it holds you to one shot. It's a defensive clinic."
Magnolia's defense also played well, as the Blue Eagles only trailed 9-4 after the first quarter and 18-10 at halftime. The Blue Eagles also managed to hold West Virginia Player of the Year Isaac McKneely to just 12 points in the contest.
"We held the player of the year to 12," Tallman said. "We contested shots. It wasn't just their bad shooting, I think we created a lot of that and I'm proud of it."
Poca shut Magnolia out in the third quarter, however, outscoring the Blue Eagles 14-0 to open up a 32-10 lead.
Senior leader Trevor Williamson led the Blue Eagles with 11 points on 3 of 12 shooting.
Jackson Toney (14) and McKneely (12) paced the Dots.
Poca advances to play No. 4 Ravenswood in the semifinal round Friday.