CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — Notre Dame scored eleven unanswered points in a two minute stretch of overtime to knock off Wheeling Central Catholic, 75-69 at Angelo Basile Court.
After Avery Lee connected on a 3-pointer on the first possession of overtime, Notre Dame used an 11-0 run to take a 70-62 lead. The Irish would hold on down the stretch to collect their most impressive victory of the season.
“At any level, the team that scores first in overtime, if they score and get a stop they can dictate the tempo,” said Notre Dame head coach Jarrod West. “Jaidyn (West) made a big shot. Elijah (Goodman) played great defense in overtime. We got a few run-outs and a couple layups. Luckily we made enough free throws.”
The contest was tight throughout. Notre Dame’s 13-7 lead midway through the first quarter represented the largest lead for either team until overtime. Wheeling Central led 22-20 after the first quarter and the game was tied at 33 at halftime.
Wheeling Central went on an 8-0 run late in the third quarter, but the Irish recaptured the lead, 54-52 at the end of the stanza. Defenses took over in the fourth quarter as the teams combined for just four field goals in the final eight minutes of regulation. J.C. Maxwell’s basket with one minute to play tied the score at 59 and sent the game into overtime.
West led the Irish (12-3) with 21 points. Goodman added 17. Kobe Martino and Clay Martino also scored in double figures with 16 and 12 respectively.
Wheeling Central (12-6) was led by Ryan Reasbeck’s 22-point effort. Michael Toepfer (16), Jalen Creighton (13), Lee and Maxwell (11 each) also scored in double digits.
“Anytime Wheeling Central comes in your gym, you have to respect their tradition,” West said. “For the last ten years, I have tried to model my program to catch up with those guys. It was a great crowd and a great atmosphere. This is what high school basketball is all about.”