photo by: Ed Parsons

Valley’s Gavin Derby (left) guards Magnolia’s Dubale Greathouse (right) during their regional co-final on Wednesday.

Magnolia and Valley fought it out on Wednesday night in New Martinsville with a berth in the Class A state basketball tournament next week in Charleston on the line.

Magnolia took the opening tip, but turned it over and Valley got a quick basket from freshman Wyatt Rogers to lead 2-0 with 30 seconds off the clock. Magnolia came right back and took the lead on a 3-pointer from senior center Eli Midcap and never looked back in picking up their 10th straight win 78-56. The Blue Eagles received eight points in the first frame from Dubale Greathouse, while Darin Shimp added six to lead the Blue to a 20-10 lead after the first eight minutes.

Valley had trouble finding the basket in the first half and at the break it was Magnolia 41-16.

While the Lumberjacks were struggling from the floor, Magnolia’s Hunter Oates got hot and drilled a trio of 3’s in the second quarter and ended the period with 11 points. The Blue Eagle defense forced Valley into 10 first half turnovers and converted them into 13 points in the half.

The second half had Valley finding their shooting touch as they won the third quarter 18-14, but the Blue Eagles still led 55-34 going into the final eight minutes. Gavin Derby, who ended as the game’s top scorer with 28 points, hit for 17 in the fourth frame, including three of his five 3’s on the night.

Magnolia won the final period 23-22. Leading the Blue Eagles on the night was Kingston Christen with 21 points, followed by Oates with 14. Midcap had a big game with a double-double 12 points and 12 rebounds, while also blocking five shots. Greathouse also had a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds.

Scott Bailey hit for five points and Jonah Coulter hit a three, while Brayden Byers added a basket.

Valley received 14 points from Trevor Stackpole, including three 3’s, while Cayden Stackpole added five and Kolten Kinkade hit a three and Wyatt Roger added two.

“We’re in it to win it. We need to box out better, but give Valley credit they played their hearts out and shot extremely well in the second half. But every game has made us better, I think the schedule we play, we’re tournament tested, we just have to wait on the seed and we’re excited to go,” said Magnolia coach Dave Tallman.

“I have to hand it to Magnolia. They played really well tonight, but Valley didn’t quit tonight they gave it all to the end of the fourth quarter. I wish I could change my game plan for tonight but we played hard and with a lot of heart,” said Valley coach Jeff Derby.