West Fork Cools Off After Hot Start

Monday, March 3, 2014

— West Fork came out blazing Saturday in the finals of the 3A Region 1 boys Tournament at Elkins. But patience eventually paid off for Charleston.

The Tigers (18-12) built an early 11-point lead behind an early barrage of 3-point shooting, but Charleston used its strength inside to slowly wear down its foe. After West Fork finally cooled off from outside, Charleston took over early in the third quarter and claimed a 55-45 win to take the region's top seed into this week's Class 3A State Tournament.

3A Region 1 Boys

Charleston 55, West Fork 45

Charleston^7^15^16^17^—^55

West Fork^16^10^3^16^—^45

Charleston (28-5): Ward 22, Smith 17, Shelby 9, King 3, Story 2, Fenner 2.

West Fork (18-12): C. Roebke 13, Bailey 12, Clayton 11, R. Roebke 6, Hutchinson 3.

"West Fork came out an hit a ton of shots," Charleston coach B.J. Ross said. "But we talked at halftime about being patient, and really being more aggressive.

"I thought Andrew (Smith) inside kind of got to them, and our guards also play big. That made a difference."

Smith, Charleston's 6-7 junior center, led the way with 17 points, and was a physical force in the second half. After West Fork fought off Charleston to the tune of a 26-22 halftime lead, Smith and his teammates went on a 16-3 run over the third quarter to get control.

"I was extremely proud of how hard our guys played," West Fork coach Nolan Hester said. "I felt like we executed our gameplan, especially in the first half. We outrebounded them in the first half which is especially hard to do against a team like Charleston.

"We went with a bigger lineup on purpose in this game and it worked in the first half. But in the third quarter they outrebounded us eight to two, and that was a big difference. And part of that was just them wearing on us and their football mentality."

Charleston (28-5) faces Valley Springs at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday in the 3A Tournament. West Fork draws Rivercrest at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Matthew Ward also finished with 22 for Charleston. Cody Roebke led West Fork with 13.

BOYS

Cedarville 57, Elkins 46 (3rd Place Game)

Cedarville defeated Elkins for a fourth time in four tries this season, with Saturday's victory a 57-46 decision in the third-place game of the 3A North Region. Garrett Parsons scored 25 points and Corey Fincher added 11 to lead the Pirates (21-9). Elkins (13-11) got 16 points from Trevor England and 12 from Travis England.

Sports on 03/03/2014