CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Elkins boys basketball coach Amrit Rayfield didn’t like the way his team had played of late.
That changed Saturday when the Tigers smothered Charleston Catholic, holding the Irish to a season-low point total in a 53-41 road victory.
“It was a huge win,” Elkins head coach Amrit Rayfield said. “We knew Charleston Catholic had been playing well, and coach [Hunter] Moles does a great job. We had not been playing well lately. The response we had today by playing hard and together looked like it meant something today, which we lacked on Thursday. It was good to see us bounce back and have the will to win.”
Elkins had lost its previous two games to Musselman and University by an average of 17 points. The Tigers were looking to turn things around with the end of the regular season approaching, and Rayfield saw a different team against CCHS compared to the previous games.
“Those two losses felt like ten in a row,” Rayfield noted. “These guys have dealt with losses before, but how we would respond to that adversity concerned me. It says a lot about our guys responding how they did. We have nine seniors, and the majority of those guys have played. It speaks volumes about their character and being able to respond. We were unselfish today, which was one of the things we preached in practice yesterday.”
Elkins and Catholic shared 6-0 runs early in the game, and the Irish used momentum to score seven of the final 10 points in the opening quarter to hold a 13-12 lead.
During the opening half, Elkins forward Cory Harper scored his 1,000th career point.
“[Cory] has lived in the gym,” Rayfield said. “This is a passion of his. For him to be able to do that with our success with him has been great for our program, younger kids growing up, and our fans to see. I am happy for him. I know a huge weight has been lifted off his back to be able to get that today.”
Elkins would finish the first half on a 12-2 run to hold a 24-19 halftime lead.
The Tigers stretched their lead to 11 early in the third quarter thanks to buckets from three players. Jayallen Turner made it seven points in the quarter with conventional three-point play to trim Elkins’ advantage to 32-24. Turner led all scorers with 20 points.
However, the Tigers closed the third strong and ultimately outscored the Irish 27-13 over the middle two quarters to lead 39-26.
The Irish cut Elkins’ lead to 10 with 3:37 left in the fourth, but that was the closest they got.
Elkins senior guard Tanner Miller led the Tigers with 17 points, including 9 for 9 on free throws.
“His ability to handle the basketball is helpful,” Rayfield said. “I still yell at him more than anybody, and he knows I will be on his tail every night. It is a luxury having him by controlling the pace and tempo. There was no worry with him.”
Different players stepped up for Elkins, including Brock Holland in his first career start. Holland and fellow senior Benjamin Baines combined for 19 points and four three-pointers.
“Our flow offensively was good because Brock can shoot the basketball, and to be able to answer the call in your first start was huge,” Rayfield noted. “I am glad he came out with the confidence he did to make those shots. Those were the x-factor. I thought Ben came up with big rebounds and contested a few shots, including the second lob to Turner. He brings us that athleticism. When Ben is doing what he does, we will be good. Sometimes Ben does not realize he can do those things. Hopefully, today’s game brings that confidence out in him.”
Elkins senior Malachi Watson tallied nine points.
Charleston Catholic’s Max Wilcox scored all seven of his points in the fourth quarter.