CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Parkersburg Catholic, seeking to become the first No. 8 seed to knock off a No. 1 in the West Virginia state tournament, had two-point leads near the end of regulation and overtime.
Neither stood up, however, as top-seeded Wheeling Central pulled out a great escape.
Alonzo Manns made a buzzer-beating layup to force OT, where Thomas Stanley hit the go-ahead free throws with 23 seconds left as Wheeling Central survived 59-57 in the Class A quarterfinals.
“We’re thrilled to advance, but we know we didn’t play our best,” said Wheeling Central coach Mel Stephens. “It was a struggle all game for us. We were fortunate to make enough plays at the end of regulation to send it to overtime, and then a few big plays in overtime to get the win.”
Wheeling Park (23-3) was led by Chase Harler’s 18 points and eight rebounds. David Park, who fouled out in overtime, finished with 11 points, while Manns chipped in 10.
The Crusaders (16-9) were paced by Jake Ullmans’ game-high 21 points, but he missed two free throws with 14 seconds left in the fourth quarter and Catholic leading 51-49.
That gave the favored Maroon Knights called a final chance, which Harler converted by driving the lane, drawing two defenders and dishing off to Manns.
“I knew I had to go up and finish it, or my teammates would have been mad at me,” Manns said. “It was a scary moment, but I came through.”
Catholic had a chance to build on a 56-55 lead with 27 seconds left in overtime when Joe Padden went to the line and made one of two. When the second try caromed out, Wheeling Central’s Brian Campbell grabbed the rebound and was fouled.
Campbell made two free throws to tie the game. On the ensuing inbounds, Harler stole the pass and flipped the ball to Stanley, who was fouled hit the winning free throws.
“I kind of lost my man for a second and I saw him breaking wide open,” Harler said. “I made a hustle play and then almost threw it away to Thomas, but he caught it and was fouled.”
Catholic had a final possession, but they could only manage a 23-foot heave Ullman, which came up well short.
“We were looking to get a high ball screen with Jake,” Parkersburg Catholic coach Rob Strucla said. “We ran a four out to try to isolate somebody, but I take full responsibility. At the end I didn’t manage the clock or my timeouts correctly.”
Padden finished with 15 points for the Crusaders, while Payton Strum added 11.
Wheeling Central advanced to play the winner of Clay Battelle and Greater Beckley Christian on Friday in the semifinals.