Boswell leads Magnolia to first basketball state title game since 2003

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Preston Boswell scored 20 points as No. 3 Magnolia climbed out of another early hole to beat Greater Beckley Christian 59-46 in Friday’s Class A semifinal.

It will be Magnolia’s first trip to the title game since 2003 when the Blue Eagles won the Class AA championship over Oak Hill.

“We’re tickled to be in it,” said Magnolia coach Dave Tallman. “It’s just a thrill and it’s been a long time since we’ve been (to the championship). The work and effort that these guys have put in to get their coach here (has been great). Coaching is way overrated. These guys on and off the court have done everything I’ve asked them to do. I’m their biggest fan.”

After erasing an 8-0 deficit, Magnolia (22-5) eventually worked itself into a 45-33 lead with under six minutes to go. Second-seeded Greater Beckley began chipping away, though, and had the Blue Eagle’s lead cut to 46-39 at the 3:09 mark.

That’s when a critical stretch ensued, halting any comeback effort from Greater Beckley (23-4).

With Magnolia in possession and Boswell with the ball, Greater Beckley’s Isaiah Francis was called for a personal foul that would have sent Boswell to the line for two. However, Francis was also immediately called for a technical for taunting Boswell and another technical was then added on to the GBC bench.

“The official uses their judgement, but I’ve certainly seen worse things happen on technical fouls in a state tournament semifinal,” said Greater Beckley coach Brian Helton. “It’s very disappointing to see two technicals at that point in the game. We’ve not had one technical on our bench this year and I don’t even know if we’ve have one on our players. It’s just real disappointing at that juncture in the game to see that occur.”

It was the end result of a back-and-forth between the two teams throughout the game.

“They were talking crap to us and we talked crap back,” Boswell said. “I think the ref finally saw them come back at us. Usually, the person who retaliates gets caught.”

It was a physical game throughout as well between the two Class A heavyweights – leading to plenty of emotions for both teams near the game’s end.

“I do (get in opponent’s heads) sometimes,” Boswell said. “Sometimes I get away with grabbing wrists and stuff – and that makes them mad.”

Boswell hit 4-of-6 ensuing free throws to put Magnolia comfortably in front 50-39.

Magnolia had to erase a 13-point deficit late against Notre Dame to even reach Friday’s semifinal.

It was almost deja vu to start the game as Greater Beckley scored the game’s first eight points. Magnolia, though, quickly answered with a 7-2 run to close out the first quarter. The Blue Eagles continued that momentum into the second quarter, opening up a 21-15 lead following a Boswell 3.

“As a coach, you don’t panic. In 2000, we were down here in the championship game and fell behind 10-0,” Tallman said. “You take a timeout and let them know they have a lot of time to go. Things can work out and things did settle down a little bit. It happens.”

Magnolia led 24-17 at the break, overall outscoring GBC 24-9 after that early eight-point hole. The Blue Eagles maintained that lead throughout the third and took a 38-31 advantage into the fourth. A Boswell layup with 5:17 left extended Magnolia’s lead to 45-33.

Spencer Campbell also scored 12 points in the win for Magnolia, while Elisha Kidd led Greater Beckley with 15 points. Francis and Cortney Walton both scored 11 points apiece as well for GBC in the loss.

The Blue Eagles will face Wheeling Central in Saturday’s Class A championship game at noon.

“I’m really thrilled for the community, the team, the coaches,” Tallman said. “We’re going to go out and give it our best. Hopefully, we’ll get the title (Saturday) afternoon.”

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