photo by: Nick Henthorn

Wheeling Central’s Eli Sancomb glides down the lane Monday night against the defense of Tyler Consolidated’s Brody Strode during action inside the Tyler Consolidated Middle School Gymnasium. Sancomb scored 24 points as the Maroon Knights rolled, 84-54.

KIDWELL – If veteran Wheeling Central head boys’ basketball coach Mel Stephens had any worries about an OVAC Championship hangover, they were quickly erased as the Maroon Knights rolled to an 84-54 victory over Tyler Consolidated in the Tyler Consolidated Middle School Gymnasium.

The game was played on the smaller floor due to flooding issues in the high school gymnasium, which was roped off while a new floor is installed. Pipes underneath the court burst during the cold spell several weeks ago.

“I was worried a little bit but these kids understand the OVAC (Class 3A) was a goal of ours, and they know what that next one (goal) is,” Stephens said. “They came out focused tonight and we did what we wanted to at both ends of the floor.

“We got away from that there late in the third quarter with some of the reserve kids in, but overall, it was a good effort. We got a lot of kids some playing time tonight.”

The Maroon Knights trailed 4-3 before using a 13-0 run to pull away. They led 18-6 after one quarter They meshed 7 of the first 10 shots and, defensively, they made the Silver Knights (8-11) work hard for every shot they took.

“We did a good defensively in the first half,” Stephens praised. “We did what we wanted to.

“The key for us is to get everyone involved. This was a big win for us coming on the heels of the OVAC Championship game.”

While Wheeling Central received 60 points from its starting five, the bench contributed 24 points as seven subs etched their name in the scorebook.

Eli Sancomb stuffed the stat sheet again with 24 points, seven rebounds, six assists and five steals. Troy Anthony knocked down three treys for nine of his 13 markers and Max Olejasz worked the paint for 10 points and seven boards. Nico Kusic (8) and Tyler Dean (5) rounded out the starters.

Luke Sancomb scored nine to lead the bench players.

“Those guys off the bench did what we asked them to do tonight,” Stephens said. “They all got quality minutes. We might need some of them down the road. You never know.”

After misfiring on their only two three-point attempts in the first quarter, the Maroon Knights buried six on eight attempts in the second quarter when they increased their margin to 44-20 at the half. Anthony had half of them.

Brady Strode led the Silver Knights, who had won three straight, with 22 points and five rebounds. Cole Lemasters added 11 points.

Wheeling Central made 33 field goals. Tyler Consolidated attempted 36.

The Maroon Knights await a visit from Logan on Saturday at 5 p.m.