Wheeling Central adds 12th boys basketball state championship

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Wheeling Central completed the Class A basketball championship sweep on Saturday, beating Ravenswood 54-40 for the boys basketball title.

“It’s a great feeling,” said Central Catholic senior guard Owen Gainer. “There’s a ton of tradition at Central and I’m very proud. I’m proud of my guys for being able to be a part of that.”

It’s the 12th WVSSAC boys basketball title for the No. 1 Maroon Knights and follows the Wheeling Central girls basketball state championship from last week.

““They’re all special,” said Wheeling Central coach Mel Stephens. “It’s a special group of seniors who have been down here three years in a row. They lost in the championship game the first two years and got beat in the semifinals last year.

“They were pretty determined to get to this game and finish the job,” he continued. “I’m extremely proud of those guys. With my grandson on the bench today, that makes that pretty special too.”

Central Catholic also won the Class A football championship back in December.

The Maroon Knights (25-2) were dominant defensively, limiting Ravenswood to just 11 of 41 from the floor (27 percent shooting), including a 1 of 17 mark from 3.

“We knew Ravenswood had very good shooters and good scorers,” Gainer said. “Isaiah Morgan is a very good player. Our strategy going in was to play one-on-one defense with each of their guys.

“We weren’t playing much help because we knew that each of their guys were very deadly,” he continued. “We came out and played to the best of our ability and followed our game plan very well.”

Gainer led Wheeling Central with 18 points, while Brent Price totaled 16 points (including a handful of dunks), five assists and three blocks and Bray Price contributed 12 points.

“I told my brother last year that I wasn’t going out sad again – I was right and I’m so thankful right now,” Brent Price said. “I love the game. This is what I want to do for the rest of my life. I have so much passion for it.”

Ravenswood (26-2) was led by Isaiah Morgan who scored 17 points and Jayden Rhodes added 15 points in the loss.

It’s the second straight runner-up finish for the Red Devils.

“It’s a tough sport if you can’t make a shot,” said Ravenswood coach Mick Price. “On this day, a lot of credit goes to Wheeling Central. But what a wonderful career my seven seniors have all had. They’ve been here four years and represented their community, their families and their school with pride.”

For Wheeling Central, it’s the first boys basketball title since 2014.

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