photo by: Photo by Cody Tomer

Cameron's Ashlynn VanTassell collected 29 points and a state tournament single-game record 31 rebounds as Cameron rolled to victory in the state quarterfinals on Tuesday in Charleston.

CHARLESTON – Records are meant to be broken, but usually not four hours after they are set.

Well, Cameron sophomore Ashlynn VanTassell did just that as she brought down a Class A and WVSSAC Girls State Tournament single-game record 31 rebounds in a dominating 74-43 triumph over No. 7 River View (16-9) in the state quarterfinals on Tuesday at the Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center.

In the first tournament game of the day, Tucker County’s Kadie Colebank set the Class A record with 25 boards, only to be shattered by VanTassell two games later.

No. 6 Tucker County (19-6) defeated No. 3 and defending champion Tug Valley (17-6) 46-45 in that game to set up a state semifinal battle between Colebank and the Mountain Lions and VanTassell and the Dragons (22-4) on Thursday at 11:30 a.m.

“It’s going to be a great matchup,” VanTassell said. “I’m excited to play with her and we’ll see what we can do.”

The state tournament single-game record for all classes was held by Alexis Hornbuckle at 30 until VanTassell stepped into the spotlight.

“I was really confused at first,” VanTassell said. “Coach (Michael) Juliano was hyping me up and my mom came over crying and she told me I broke the record. Then I just started crying.”

Twenty of VanTassell’s 31 rebounds were on the offensive end, which made Cameron shooters even more comfortable firing away.

VanTassell led the way with 29 points, while Kenzie Clutter turned in 11 points, Emilee Dobbs netted 10 and freshman Maci Neely garnered nine points.

“We always tell the girls not to be scared to take an open shot,” Cameron coach Holly Pettit said. “We have enough confidence in these girls and if they aren’t knocking them down, we have Ashlynn inside to rebound.”

Neely also had 10 rebounds and eight steals in her first career state tournament game after her teammates gave her a little advice.

“We told (the freshmen), ‘Just keep your head and stay in the game,'” Clutter said. “‘When you turn it over, cause a foul or miss a shot, just stay with it.'”

The Dragons opened their return trip to Charleston breathing fire as they started the game on an 11-2 march and took a 20-7 advantage after one.

A 20-2 run to start the second quarter left no doubt as Cameron rolled into halftime with a commanding 42-18 cushion and never looked back.

VanTassell recorded 21 rebounds and 22 points in the first half alone.

“We had some thoughts on how to box her out but she proved to be exceptional,” River View coach Gehrig Justice said. “Colebank set the record, which lasted like half a game. So, hats off to VanTassell. She is a force inside. Our coaches tried to simulate that in practice but we haven’t seen anyone like that all year.”

It was also quite the test for River View’s Ali Morgan to try to guard her.

“I was trying to get up there and get the rebound,” Morgan said. “But, no. I tried to jump but she kept getting it from me. I just couldn’t do it.”

Despite the two teams not playing each other this year, Clutter felt that watching film and receiving advice from their coaches helped the Dragons force the Raiders into 29 turnovers.

“We stayed pretty prepared,” Clutter said. “Our coaches watched a lot of film and gave us the scouting report. I just thought we switched picks really well and got in their passing lanes.”

Cameron will enjoy the victory and the record-setting day, but Pettit and company have their sights set on the next game.

“I’m very proud of the girls,” Pettit said. “We came down here with a little bit of experience but last year didn’t end the way we wanted it to. So hopefully we can get back to Saturday but we’re taking it one game at a time.

“I thought our girls played great but now we need to focus on Thursday. Tucker is pretty aggressive. Their guards are quick, so our girls will have to step up and be equally aggressive.”

WVSSAC Girls State Tournament

(in Charleston)

Quarterfinal

Cameron 74, River View 43

R – T. Lester 3 3-9 9; Payne 6 4-5 16; Mitchem 0 1-2 1; Bailey 2 0-2 5; Morgan 3 0-2 6; K. Lester 0 0-0 0; Blankenship 2 0-2 4; Fuller 0 0-0 0; Pruitt 0 2-2 2; Childers 0 0-0 0; Totals 16 10-24 43.

C – Clutter 4 1-2 11; A. Dobbs 0 2-4 2; Neely 4 0-1 9; Cain-Loy 3 1-2 8; VanTassell 11 7-15 29; Schrack 0 1-2 1; Neehouse 0 0-0 0; E. Dobbs 3 4-6 10; Carter 1 0-0 2; Littleton 1 0-0 2; Totals 27 16-32 74.

3-Point Goals: Bailey; Clutter 2, Neely, Cain-Loy.

RV 7 11 11 14 – 43

Cam 20 22 21 11 – 74