CHARLESTON, W.Va. — On the final day of high school basketball season, one program seeks a three-peat, two others look to repeat and intrigue is anything but lacking with four games to be contested at the Charleston Coliseum.
MetroNews will have a live broadcast of each matchup.
Class A
No. 1 Greater Beckley Christian (22-2) vs. No. 2 Tug Valley (20-5), 10 a.m.
Tug Valley goes for its third straight state championship, and does so while continuing to be led by guard Braydun Ferris, who scored his 2,000th career point in a semifinal win over Tucker County.
“To win three straight state championships would be a tremendous accomplishment,” Panthers’ coach Garland “Rabbit” Thompson said.
The Crusaders have been tested in state tournament wins over Webster County and then East Hardy, but have an impressive resume and several capable scorers in Javonte Spencer, Iziah Gordon and Eli Gunter.
“They’re older than us. The sentiment going in is probably not in our favor,” GBC coach Justin Arvon said. “We don’t care. We’re going to show up prepared and with the goal of winning a state title, but we know what we’re up against. What a great program.
“That town and community, they’re used to winning. I respect it and love it. We want to beat the best to become the best.”
Class AA
No. 1 Wheeling Central Catholic (22-0) vs. No. 2 Wyoming East (22-2), 12:30 p.m.
Reigning Bill Evans Award winner Eli Sancomb has 64 points, 26 assists and 19 rebounds through two state tournament contests, which the defending state champion Maroon Knights have combined for 181 points in while defeating Frankfort and Wayne.
“I’m just worried about tomorrow,” Sancomb said. “Wyoming East is a very good team and well-coached, so we have to be ready.”
Max Olejasz has made 21-of-23 shots over the first two games in Charleston and has 43 points, giving Central a plenty reliable presence alongside Sancomb.
“We’ve worked our tail ends off all year,” Olejasz said.
The Warriors handled Logan and then got by Bluefield for the first state championship appearance in 16 years.
Guards Talan Muscari and Keegan Davidson, wing Broc Johnson and post player Konnor Fox give WEHS no shortage of offensive options.
“We came and watched the Double-A state championship last year and that was the worst feeling,” Johnson said. “We knew this was the goal. We’ve come together. We know we’ve worked hard enough to get here and that’s why we’re here.”
Class AAA
No. 1 Chapmanville (22-3) vs. No. 2 North Marion (21-2), 5 p.m.
The Tigers have a distinct size advantage against many teams and that will be the case against the Huskies, who will try to cause chaos with their defensive pressure and ability to penetrate and pitch to shooters.
“North Marion is going to press you from the jump, try to create chaos and make the game fast,” Tigers’ coach Brad Napier said.
Chapmanville has been strong on the offensive end in Charleston with 147 points over two games and its defense greatly improved from the seven-point quarterfinal round win over Robert C. Byrd to the 25-point semifinal triumph against Winfield.
The Huskies trailed for much of their quarterfinal against Shady Spring before prevailing 66-64.
NMHS then controlled its 16-point semifinal win against Bridgeport and continues to rely heavily on the duo of guards Eli Ramsey and Conner Balwanz.
“I’m not going to say it’s about them. It’s about us. We have to play our game,” Huskies’ coach Steve Harbert said. “This game is a game of runs. They’re going to make shots and go on runs, but we have to push back at them.”
Class AAAA
No. 1 George Washington (22-2) vs. No. 3 Spring Mills (21-2), 7:30 p.m.
A rematch of last year’s final won by the Cardinals.
Both teams are seasoned and battle-tested, with the Patriots having prevailed by one point in a quarterfinal round victory against Huntington, before winning in much easier fashion against a talented Washington squad in a semifinal.
The common theme in both contests and many others this year for GW was a stellar showing from Wright State signee Noah Lewis, who has 69 points and 26 rebounds over two state tournament games.
“It takes a lot of pressure off knowing you have such skilled players around you, and players that are willing to do whatever to win,” Lewis said.
Spring Mills shot a sizzling 71 percent (30 for 42) in its semifinal round victory against Morgantown after handling business against University in a quarterfinal.
“These guys have been here before and hopefully we can finish the deal tomorrow,” Cardinals’ coach Shannon Layton said.
The Cardinals are balanced, athletic and plenty capable of scoring in a variety of ways.
Guard Akwasi Opoku-Achampong is critical to the offensive success as a shooter and facilitator, while Xavier Anderson figures to challenge Lewis in a number of ways.
“Noah Lewis does a lot for them. He’s big, strong and can play on both ends of the court,” Layton said. “Luckily, we have a kid like Xavier Anderson that can hold his own, and hopefully we can contain him tomorrow.”