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WEIRTON -- The Weir boys' basketball team battled, but Wheeling Park built a double digit advantage in the first quarter and did not look back.
The Patriots led by 16 late in the first and by 22 in the fourth en route to defeating the Red Riders, 80-64, Tuesday night on Ron "Fritz" Williams Court inside the Carl Hamill Fieldhouse.
"Wheeling Park is a tough team," Weir (1-2) head coach Anthony Santangelo said. "They were well in sync."
After trailing by 16 late in the first, the boys from Hancock County battled back and pulled within seven in the second, however, the visitors regained control and never looked back. The boys from Ohio County led by 14 points at halftime and by 13 entering the fourth.
"Weir shot the ball well," Wheeling Park (2-0) head coach Michael Jebbia said. "We could never pull away. Anytime we got the lead up to 14 or 15, Weir would crawl back into the game. That is a credit to them.
"We were able to get out in transition. We got some deflections. We need to do a better job of playing defense. Teams are scoring too easily against us. We have to shore things up on defense."
Both teams had three players produce double digits in points.
Corey Lyons contributed a team-high 17 points to lead the way for the Red-and-Black, G. Cross scored 16 and Damarr Turner recorded 14.
"They are coming off a playoff appearance in football," Jebbia said. "Cross and Turner are good players. The Division I recruit (Cam Jones) is a good player.
"It was an up and down game. Friday's game was more of a half court game, but you have to be able to play both. You have to be able to play both.
"Their guards are good players. We have to do a better job of keeping them in front of us.
"It was a good game. Weir battled. I was impressed."
Aiden Davis delivered a game-high 27 points to lead the way for the Patriots, Cole Wilkinson collected 23 and Brett Phillips tallied 20.
"Aiden Davis and Brett Phillips are coming off ankle injuries," Jebbia said. "They are not yet 100 percent. Cole Wilkinson was a force in the paint tonight."
The trio combined to score 26 of Wheeling Park's 28 points in the first.
"Aiden Davis had 27, Cole Wilkinson had 23 and Brett Phillips had 20," Santangelo said. "Those are their key guys. We expressed their importance to the team.
"Props to Coach Jebbia. He does a very good job.
"Since Friday, we have stressed team and effort. We played team basketball."
The boys from Ohio County led 28-16 at end of the first.
The hosts battled back and pulled to within 30-23 in the second stanza, however, the victors pushed their lead up 42-28 at halftime.
"We started rebounding, and we started attacking the paint," Santangelo said about what enabled his team to get back into the game. "We were able to get open shots. Our ball pressure really helped. Those are the things we need to do to win. We can't have turnovers. We have to protect the ball and rebound."
Wheeling Park got off to a fast start to the third as the Patriots scored six quick points to extend their advantage to 20 points forcing Santangelo to call a timeout with 6:54 remaining in the quarter.
The Red Riders refused to throw in the towel, and the boys in white fought back and closed within 62-49 entering the fourth.
"Weir continues to get better each year," Jebbia said. "I'm happy to see that. They were a tough test. They hit some shots tonight. They hit some tough shots. I have to give them credit.
The Patriots led 80-58 in the fourth before the Red Riders recorded the final six points of the night.
"I'm really proud of my team," Santangelo said. "We battled all night. That is what I expressed to them.
"This team is different. These kids are always on the floor. They talk. We were physical. I am proud of the way we battled."
The Red Riders hit six 3-pointers in the game, while Davis drained the lone two shots from long range for the Patriots.
"For the fans, I'm sure the game was fun to watch," Santangelo said. "Wheeling Park is super aggressive. They are physical. Aiden Davis is their leader. Cole Wilkinson does a good job in the paint. We have to ram up our help defense."
Weir is scheduled to return to the court Friday night at home against John Marshall. The JV game is set to start at 6 p.m.
"We just have some little things we have to polish up," Santangelo said.
Wheeling Park is slated to play Bridgeport, WV, Saturday afternoon at home. The varsity tip is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.