Knights Shine In Return Home
Reasbeck nets 27 points in win
WHEELING -- The last time the Wheeling Central boys' basketball team stepped foot on its home floor for a game, it won the regional title and earned a spot in a state tournament that was never played.
On Tuesday, the Maroon Knights returned home to Coach "Skip" Prosser Court for their home opener and showcased those same skills that got them so far a year ago.
Junior Ryan Reasbeck drained five 3-pointers, returning all-state senior J.C. Maxwell delivered a one-handed slam dunk and No. 3 Wheeling Central upended visiting Weir 76-55.
The Knights led 17-14 late in the first when they reeled off an incredible 21-0 run to go up 38-14. Central's defensive pressure made it all possible.
"I think we were sharing the ball really well and we turned them over a couple of times in the backcourt, too. That always makes it easier," Central coach Mel Stephens said.
Reasbeck's sharp-shooting from beyond the 3-point arc was a dagger in the sides of the Red Riders all night as he finished with 27 points, including three treys in the first.
"He shot the ball really well (Tuesday)," Stephens said of Reasbeck. "Michael Toepfer really carried us in our first two games but when Ryan is on he is tough to defend because he is such a good shooter and has the ability to take it to the rim, too."
Maxwell got the crowd and his teammates on their feet with a monster jam in the second -- two of his 17 points -- and Central took a 51-32 upperhand into the half.
Reasbeck had 20 at the break and Maxwell had 13.
Weir continued to battle in the third as it went on an 8-0 spurt but the deficit was too great to overcome.
"We came out fighting at first," Weir coach Anthony Santangelo said. "We made some shots and they made some shots but then they pressured us and we were throwing the ball all over the place and not being confident in ourselves. That's when the first quarter got out of hand."
Anthony Cross paced the Riders with 20 points, Tyler Kelly turned in 14 and Jason Nasko added 10.
"In the second half we got out of the pressure and a made a little bit of a comeback but it just wasn't enough," Santangelo said. "Anthony Cross played hard. He played about 28 minutes and Tyler Kelly came out hitting some 3s in transition. I'm super proud of them. They gave it all they had."
Michael Toepfer netted 10 for the Knights, who saw time from every player on the roster.
"That was one of our goals (Tuesday)," Stephens said of everybody getting in the game. "Some guys made the trip down south and never got in. We were looking to get them playing time (Tuesday) with some of the main guys, so that they wouldn't think they had to do too much.
"I thought we played solid. I'm glad we survived. Now, we'll rest up (today) and get ready for Linsly on Thursday."