slideshow

ASHTON, W.Va. — One team was snapping an eight-game losing skid Monday night. The only question was, which team?

Visiting Calhoun County shot 44 percent from the field and had five players reach double figures en route to an 87-58 triumph over the Hannan boys basketball team in a non-conference matchup in Mason County.

The Wildcats (2-14) kept things competitive for one period, as the hosts trailed 14-10 after eight minutes of play. The Red Devils (2-12), however, erupted for 36 points in the second canto, which allowed the guests to claim a sizable 50-29 cushion at the intermission.

Hannan never came closer the rest of the way, as the guests went on a 23-14 charge in the third canto to establish a 73-43 lead headed into the finale. CCHS led by as many as 31 points (87-56) with 30 seconds left in regulation, but Hannan won the fourth canto by a small 15-14 edge to wrap up the 29-point outcome.

With the triumph, Calhoun County claimed a season sweep after posting a 68-49 decision at CCHS back on December 17. The Wildcats committed 16 turnovers and were also outrebounded by a 21-5 margin on the offensive glass.

It was a tough night for Wildcats’ coach Larry Maynard, who watched his squad give up more points in the middle periods than they scored in the entire contest. But, as he noted afterwards, they continued to play hard until the final horn — something he was indeed proud of.

“I thought we were ready to play tonight, but we just don’t match up with this team very well,” Maynard said. “They are taller than we are, we had too many turnovers and we didn’t play very good defense there in the second and third quarters. We just didn’t get the job done tonight.

“Now, to our credit, we were still hustling in the fourth quarter — diving on the floor after loose balls trailing by 30 points. For a team that has lost some games recently, it is encouraging to see them still getting after it until the final buzzer.”

Hannan connected on 21-of-46 field goal attempts for 46 percent, including a 4-of-12 effort from three-point territory for 33 percent. The hosts were also 12-of-20 at the free throw line for 60 percent.

Tyler Burns led HHS with 21 points, followed by Ty Paige with 10 points and Brad Fannin with nine markers. Kade McCoy was next with six points, while Paul Holley and Dakota Fannin respectively chipped in five and three markers. Tyler Jenkins and Daniel Black rounded out the scoring with two points apiece.

Calhoun County sank 27-of-62 shot attempts overall, including an 8-of-24 effort from three-point range for 33 percent. The Red Devils were also 25-of-43 at the charity stripe for 58 percent.

Ryan Slider paced the guests with 21 points, followed by Ricky Hall with 16 points and Mason Sheldon with 12 markers. Sam Brady and Tyler Gerwig also chipped in 10 points each to the winning cause.