DRIVING – Harrison Central's Mykel Quito drives in opposition to Cole Thoburn of St. Clairsville. — Kim North
CADIZ — There is probably not a stronger boys basketball staff than the St. Clairsville presently.
After piling up 96 factors of their semifinal deficit to No. 2 East Liverpool earlier within the week, the third-seeded Crimson Devils continued that pattern Saturday afternoon with a 78-57 blitz of prime seed Harrison Central in Class 4A OVAC WVU Drugs. championship sport on the Huskies' residence area.
“It is a heckuva environment and venue. It's a disgrace they're transferring it subsequent yr.” mentioned the top coach of St. Clairsville Ryan Clifford. “We had been very completely happy to come back right here and beat them on their flooring.
“We loved our matches. We thought we might beat them off the dribble and we did.” he added.
The title is the third for St. Clairsville because the OVAC switched to its present format. They went back-to-back in 2012 and 2013, however misplaced seven title tilts.
“We had been Four-Four at one level and now we've gained 10 of our final 11” Clifford mentioned as he held again his feelings. “That is solely my third championship at school historical past and my first. I've been right here one million occasions and haven't introduced residence the in 11 years. It feels good.
With the double-headed scoring machine of Tyson Pastor and Cole Thoburn doing what they do, St. Clairsville pulled away within the late levels of the third quarter, avenging an early season loss.
“We felt a bit unhealthy the primary time we performed them, however we didn't use that as an excuse. They performed very nicely that night time” mentioned Clifford.
Pastor, who scored 28 factors, sparked the surge.
“They’re superb” Clifford mentioned of his two rating machines, “however they're so good due to the little issues the opposite children do. We're a a lot more durable staff to protect than we had been in December.”
Griffin Straub continued to provide the Crimson Devils a elevate off the bench. He scored 13 factors and grabbed 5 rebounds. Brady Schafer added 9 factors and half a dozen rebounds.
“Brady is getting double figures each night time and Griffin has been a giant enhance off the bench,” praised Clifford. “I like the place we are actually.”
Tied at 33, the Crimson Devils (14-5) went on a 10-Zero run to finish the primary half and had been by no means threatened.
“I form of allow them to go wherever they needed. We needed to restrict their touches within the paint, however we weren't in a position to try this with the best way they drove to the basket.” Harrison Central head coach Aaron Foldi mentioned. “We didn't rotate correctly on protection at occasions they usually took benefit of that.
“I’m assured that my youngsters can get well. We have now good management and I'm already speaking about subsequent week.”
Thoburn, who gained the John Howell Memorial MVP Award, knocked down a trio of treys within the third quarter en path to 11 of his 24 factors as St. Clairsville constructed a 65-49 lead after three quarters.
Mykel Quito led a trio of Huskies in double figures with 19. Brady Elliott had 12 and Hayden Cassidy 11. Daniel Ody chipped in 9.
Pastor additionally pulled down six rebounds because the Crimson Devils had 22 rebounds. Quito caught seven of the Huskies' 34.
The Crimson Devils dedicated simply 4 turnovers, which was 10 fewer than Harrison Central.
St. Clairsville hosts John Marshall on Tuesday. Harrison Central welcomes Barnesville that very same night time.