CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Ahead of the Class A quarterfinal against No. 2 Wheeling Central, seventh-seeded Williamstown felt its best chance to pull off an upset would be to slow down the game.
For one half, that plan worked relatively well and the Yellowjackets stayed competitive. But the Maroon Knights picked up the pace in the second half, scoring 39 points to win 60-35. “They tried to slow it down and spread us out and they were somewhat successful at that,” Central coach Mel Stephens said.
“From the second quarter on, we did a much better job of getting out in transition and getting some baskets.” Anthony Robbins had 14 points, all in the second half, to go with eight rebounds for Wheeling Central (21-4), which moved into a Friday semifinal against No. 6 Parkersburg Catholic.
Williamstown (19-7) held an early 8-4 lead, before Wheeling Central scored the final eight points of the first quarter, with Bray Price and Jalen Creighton each making a 3-pointer during the run. Offense remained at a premium in the second quarter and the Maroon Knights settled for a 21-13 halftime lead. At the break, the Yellowjackets had only five field goals, but were sticking right with the defending state champs on the glass and had only committed turnovers.
“In the first half, we really competed well,” Williamstown coach Scott Sauro said. “Our defensive effort was really good. If you can take a team like Wheeling Central and hold them to 21 points in a half, that’s a pretty good defensive effort. Some of that was a product of playing pretty deliberately, but we played good defense too.”
Central began to seize control in the third quarter. Leading 26-18, the Maroon Knights got six straight points from Robbins to up their advantage to 32-21. Freshman Ryan Reasbeck and Avery Lee made 3s late in the period, allowing Central to take a 40-27 lead into the fourth quarter.
Reasbeck opened the fourth-quarter scoring with a 3 and the Maroon Knights maintained at least a 14-point lead the rest of the way.
“We were able to do what we needed to do in the halfcourt offense to take control of the game,” Stephens said. “I calmed down a little bit and started getting to the basket,” Robbins said.
Reasbeck scored 13 points, Creighton contributed 10 off the bench and J.C. Maxwell had nine points and eight rebounds.
The Maroon Knights ended up winning the rebounding battle 38-30.
Williamstown was led by Trent Lynch’s eight points, while Baylor Haught had nine rebounds. The Yellowjackets finished with 19 turnovers and 13 field goals, though they were more competitive in the quarterfinal than in an 88-56 regular-season loss to Central.
“They’re the best defensive team we play all year, because they get under you and slide with you,” Sauro said. “They’re really athletic and do a nice job.”