CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — An advantage in perimeter shooting for Lewis County in Friday’s matchup with Wheeling Central was negated and then some by what the Maroon Knights created through extra possessions by way of rebounding and turnovers, leading to a plus-19 point differential at the free-throw line in a 64-49 victory at Robert C. Byrd High School.
The contest was part of the Civil & Environmental Consultants Classic, and while the Minutemaids (1-1) made 10 three-pointers among 19 field goals, Central (2-0) attempted 20 more shots and 20 more free throws.
The Maroon Knights managed 36 of the game’s 60 rebounds and forced 25 turnovers while committing 14.
Lewis’ last lead came at 10-9 during a back-and-forth opening quarter that saw Central finish with a 21-16 advantage.
The Maroon Knights ran off the first six points of the second period on two free throws from Seneca Heller and consecutive buckets by Erin Maxwell.
Heller continued to stay aggressive and it paid off in the form of six free-throw attempts in each of the first two quarters. She and teammate Bella Fitzsimmons each converted two to leave the Minutemaids with a 31-17 deficit, before a Kyra Vinson triple and a pair of Payten Goodwin layups enabled LCHS to pull to within 32-24 at halftime.
Vinson accounted for five straight third-quarter points to cut what had been a 39-29 deficit in half, but Central countered with the most critical run of the matchup, getting five points from Heller to go with Maxwell’s layup for a 46-34 advantage through three.
Erin Maxwell scores off a feed from Seneca Heller as part of 7-0 spurt for Wheeling Central to end third quarter in 64-49 win against Lewis County. pic.twitter.com/752FMVzTRS
— Greg Carey (@gcarey938) December 13, 2025
Fitzsimmons and Goodwin traded treys to open the fourth, before Heller and Maxwell combined for a 6-0 spurt to leave the Maroon Knights leading 55-37 with 5:59 left.
Heller was the catalyst behind Central’s 20 for 26 effort on foul shots as she scored half of her 28 points off 18 free-throw attempts.
Maxwell scored 14 and Fitzsimmons followed with 10 points and a game-best nine boards.
Goodwin led Lewis with 14 points and seven assists, while Addie Curry and Vinson scored 13 apiece in defeat.