WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. — Ronnie Olson and his Shady Spring Tigers knew they would have their hands full against Parkersburg South.
The Tigers’ relentless defensive pressure caused problems for a Parkersburg South offense averaging 75 points this season. Shady Spring’s havoc allowed the Tigers to turn Parkersburg South over 17 times, while the Tigers hit on all cylinders offensively to run away with an 87-69 victory in the final of the Battle for the Springhouse at The Greenbrier.
“That is a statement win against a great program,” said Shady Spring head coach Ronnie Olson. “To win it the way we did was phenomenal. They made a run on us in the second half, cutting our lead to three. However, we came back and used a big run. There was no letup in those guys today. They want to come back here next year.”
Despite the defeat, veteran Parkersburg South head coach Mike Fallon was encouraged by his team’s intensity.
“I thought we played well early. We were physical early, and then in the second quarter, Shady pushed us back on offense and farther out,” Fallon said. “We did not adjust much in the second quarter. Coming out of halftime, I thought we adjusted to everything and ran what we had. It seemed like when it went bad it really did not go in our favor. I do not care if it is single, double, triple, or quad-A, [Shady Spring] is as good as anyone in West Virginia.”
The Tigers pounced on the Patriots in the second quarter, posting a 25-point frame.
Seniors Cam Manns and Braden Chapman combined for 16 of Shady’s 25 points.
“We stayed the course,” Olson stated. “Our adjustment was us playing less with our hands and more with our feet. We felt that they could not go around us. On the defensive end, I thought we were getting what we wanted. We know the defense is going to be there. We get a big lead when we go on that run, and we did tonight.”
Shady’s 25-point second quarter ledd to an 11-point advantage going into halftime at 44-33.
However, Parkersburg South came out of the break on an 8-0 run to trim the Tigers’ lead to three. Shady Spring responded with a 10-1 run, which stretched its lead back to double-figures at 54-42.
Olson is no stranger to seeing his team fight through adversity, and it was on display again Saturday seemingly every time Parkersburg South offered a response.
“It shows maturity and resiliency,” Olson said. “We are a mature group. We have a lot of seniors with a few juniors. They built the lead the whole half, and then it was gone. Our guys have been through every situation. They have been to the state tournament the last two seasons and played for state championships. They are not worried about something like that.”
Olson was pleased with his team’s defensive intensity and holding the Patriots six points below their season average.
“That is who we are and that is who we will continue to be,” Olson stated. “The guys have bought in since day one. We will continue to compete at a high level if they continue buying in on the defensive end. That has been a staple of our program. If you can play defense, then you can be in any game.”
Chapman, a West Virginia Tech commit, led all scorers with 27 points, including 16 in the first half. He converted on 11-of-15 free throws.
“He is a grade-A competitor,” Olson said. “The better the competition he plays, the more dog that comes out of him. That kid plays with a chip on his shoulder when he practices and plays. We will see him make some big baskets come postseason play.”
Manns finished the game with 25 points and showed his versatility on the perimeter by making three 3-pointers. The senior also connected on all six of his free throws.
“Cam has been steady,” Olson said. “He has accepted his role. Cam has been rebounding like an animal. If you leave him open, you will pay, and he has not been shooting off balance. He has come out of his shell as well.”
Parkersburg South seniors Aiden Blake and Cyrus Traugh combined for 36 of the Patriots’ 69 points.
“I thought the second half of the Dover [Ohio] game and you could see the difference in his game last night. You could see the competitiveness come back,” Fallon said of Traugh. “He was banged up early, and it took a toll on him until the last two weeks to come back into that flow. When we start this run, he will be ready.”