RAVENSWOOD, W.Va. — Class A No. 1 Ravenswood won its way to another boys basketball sectional championship on Friday night, outlasting a valiant effort from Parkersburg Catholic 52-47 in overtime.
It’s the overall 46th sectional title for Ravenswood.
“This game was won not by our guys that score a lot, but by Blake Bennett, Chase Swain, Lakin Tucker and Alex Easthom – their contributions were huge,” said Ravenswood coach Mick Price. “They played great defense, they took charges, they got loose balls.
“We have such a great relationship with Parkersburg Catholic – we respect them so much and their staff does a wonderful job,” Price continued. “All of our games against them are like this. I wish them the best.”
The Red Devils (23-1) were led by Jayden Rhodes who scored 19 points, while Isaiah Morgan and Stephen Dawson put in 12 points apiece.
Morgan had to switch out his jersey in the second half after suffering a cut over his eye and Rhodes missed significant time in the second half with severe leg cramps.
“We were playing left-handed a lot tonight,” Price said. “But I have to give our kids a lot of credit because no matter what the situation was tonight, guys stepped up.”
The two teams were tied 45-45 after regulation following a game-tying 3 from Parkersburg Catholic’s Cade Ullman with under a minute to go.
Ullman led the Crusaders (14-10) on the night with 27 of his team’s 47 points.
But it was Dawson who followed early in the extra session with two quick buckets for Ravenswood, giving his team the momentum again.
“I was really proud of how our kids handled overtime,” Price said. “I’m really excited for these kids. All they’ve talked about all week is getting (this sectional championship).
“Those seven seniors are tight – they want to leave a legacy,” he continued. “They’ll get to play a regional game at home and they’re excited about that, I know our community is.”
Ravenswood will host Van next week in regional play with the winner advancing to the state tournament. Parkersburg Catholic will travel to Tug Valley.
For the Red Devils, one of the front-runners for the top seed at the state tournament should they advance, it’s one step closer towards getting back to the Charleston Civic Center – a venue where they came one win short of a state championship last year.
“I don’t even worry about (seeding),” Price said. “One year we won a state championship as a three seed. We’re just trying to focus on the next game. We have to get ready to win a regional championship. If we win, we’ll worry about (the other teams) at the state tournament then.”
Highlights:
CLASS A Region 4, Section 1: (1) Ravenswood, (2) Parkersburg Catholic, (3) Williamstown, (4) Wirt County, (5) Calhoun County, (6) Wahama
Saturday: Calhoun County 35, Wirt County 31 — Wirt County eliminated
Saturday: Williamstown 79, Wahama 45 — Wahama eliminated
Tuesday: Ravenswood 103, Calhoun County 53 — Calhoun County eliminated
Tuesday: Parkersburg Catholic 56, Williamstown 52 — Williamstown eliminated
Friday: Ravenswood 52, Parkersburg Catholic 47 (OT)
RAVENSWOOD WINS A REGION 4, SECTION 1
Region 4, Section 2: (1) Tug Valley, (2) Van, (3) St. Joseph Central, (4) Sherman, (5) Buffalo, (6) Tolsia, (7) Hannan
Saturday: Sherman 57, Buffalo 40 — Buffalo eliminated
Saturday: Van 80, Hannan 47 — Hannan eliminated
Saturday: St. Joseph Central 53, Tolsia 36 — Tolsia eliminated
Tuesday: Tug Valley 74, Sherman 35 — Sherman eliminated
Tuesday: Van 64, St. Joseph Central 56 (OT) — St. Joseph Central eliminated
Friday: Tug Valley 96, Van 39