MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — A look back at some of the best high school state tournament games from the 2016-2017 academic year.
MetroNews has broadcast rights for the football Super Six, boys and girls basketball state tournaments and the baseball state tournament – those 54 games were used in compiling this list. Games 10-6 are below:
10 – CLASS A BOYS BASKETBALL TITLE: NOTRE DAME 63, RAVENSWOOD 55
Notre Dame won its first title behind Jarrod West’s 29 points (following up a 35-point effort in the semifinals against Wheeling Central) as the Irish built a big first half lead and closed out the win down the stretch.
Overall, the Irish hit 13 of their first 18 shots and 7 of its first 10 shots from 3. West hit 6 of 8 shots in the first half, including a perfect 4 for 4 effort from 3.
9 – CLASS A GIRLS BASKETBALL QUARTERFINAL: WILLIAMSTOWN 58, TUCKER COUNTY 51
Williamstown forced 26 turnovers and handed Tucker County its only loss to a Class A opponent on the year.
The Yellowjackets built a 51-31 lead midway through the third quarter, but Tucker County responded with a 20-2 run to eventually cut its deficit to just 53-51 and just 2:17 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Williamstown, though, iced the game from the free throw line as Tucker County couldn’t hit a needed shot in the final minute.
8 – CLASS A BASEBALL SEMIFINAL: CHARLESTON CATHOLIC 2, WHEELING CENTRAL 0
Charleston Catholic scored two runs in the first and then relied on a pitching and defense to earn a berth in the Class A title game, eliminating Wheeling Central.
Brandon Combs threw six and 2/3 innings of two-hit, shutout baseball while Brendan Lanham closed the game, securing the final out.
7 – CLASS A GIRLS BASKETBALL QUARTERFINAL: ST. JOSEPH CENTRAL 55, GILMER COUNTY 47
Huntington St. Joe rolled through much of the Class A state tournament, but was challenged early by defending champ Gilmer County – a rematch of the 2016 title game.
St. Joe ultimately pulled away in the final four minutes this time around, winning a game that saw eight ties and 13 lead changes.
Gilmer County shot 59 percent from the floor and out-rebounded the Irish 32-24 – but 30 turnovers forced by St. Joe were more than costly for the Titans.
6 – CLASS A FOOTBALL TITLE: ST. MARYS 23, EAST HARDY 8
St. Marys won its first football title with a 23-8 victory over East Hardy in a battle of undefeated teams.
The Blue Devils led 7-0 at the break and 14-8 late in the third quarter. A 23-yard field goal by Georg Krogh and late fourth-quarter touchdown pass from Will Billeter to Dylan Gray secured the win for St. Marys.
Jaiden Smith, named the game’s MVP for St. Marys, led the way for the Blue Devils offensively, totaling 122 rushing yards and a touchdown.