Both Best Virginia and Herd That have moved on in the TBT to the round of 32. Wesbanco will be rocking tonight for the 7 o’clock tip between the two West Virginia Teams. This matchup was one that was anticipated when the pairings came out.
Neither team could look ahead, though, as they each had tough first round games. Best Virginia had to get passed the Dubois Dream. Herd That had a difficult pairing against the Zoo Crew (Pitt), another team that is sort of local.
In the best game of the first-round game yet of The Basketball Tournament (TBT) held at the Wesbanco Arena, Best Virginia managed to secure a narrow victory against the Dubois Dream with a final score of 70-68. The highly competitive match highlighted some outstanding performances from key players, including Kevin Jones, Erik Stevenson, Chase Harler, and Teyvon Meyers.
Leading the charge for Best Virginia was Kevin Jones, who exhibited a dominant all-around performance. Jones scored an impressive 22 points, grabbed 12 rebounds, and protected the rim with 4 crucial blocks. Additionally, he displayed his playmaking skills, contributing 3 assists to his team’s offensive efforts.
Erik Stevenson, who made significant contributions on both ends of the floor, displayed his versatility and grit throughout the game. The talented player registered a double-double, scoring 16 points, and pulling down 11 rebounds. Moreover, he showcased his ability to create opportunities for his teammates, dishing out 3 assists.
Chase Harler, a standout player from Wheeling Central, might have had a relatively quiet scoring night with 4 points, but his presence on the court undoubtedly had an impact on the team’s overall performance.
Teyvon Meyers, another vital component of Best Virginia’s lineup, demonstrated his skills as a floor general. With 9 points, 7 assists, and 3 boards, Meyers proved to be an essential facilitator, keeping the team’s offense flowing smoothly throughout the intense matchup.
The game was a back-and-forth game from the start. In the 4th quarter the target score for the Elam ending was set at 70. Best Virginia was down 68-67 and needed a defensive stop. Their defense was able to pull out the stop and now the offense was on center stage.
Best Virginia went to Kevin Jones, whose 2-point shot was just off the mark. Best Virginia needed another defensive stop to get another offensive possession. Again, the defense comes up big. Next, came the ending that is setup nicely using the Elam ending.
Erik Stevenson ended up with the ball on the left wing, he pulled up with a hand in his face. The 3-point shot was nothing but net and the celebration was on for Best Virginia as their 70-68 victory sends them on to the next round.
It was great to see some former Mountaineer players come out to support their team. Truck Bryant and Gabe Osabuohein were in attendance. It was great to see them interact with all the fans taking pictures and signing autographs for all that asked. They did so with smiles on their faces and a true joy to themselves while doing so, this was great to see.
Coach Huggins was also in attendance and again in true Coach Huggins fashion he did not turn down a picture or autograph. As with a couple of his former players, he was happy to interact with the fans that approached him during breaks in the action.
Herd That emerged victorious with an 86-71 win over the Zoo Crew, setting the stage for an exciting round of 32 matchup against Best Virginia at the Wesbanco Arena. Led by an outstanding performance from their star player Rob Gray, Herd That displayed their prowess on the court, leaving the audience on the edge of their seats.
Rob Gray showcased his scoring prowess, putting up an impressive 27 points, making it difficult for the Zoo Crew to contain him throughout the game. Additionally, he contributed with 5 rebounds and 2 assists, demonstrating his all-around skills and the impact he had on the team’s performance.
Supporting Gray’s stellar performance, Jon Elmore proved to be a vital asset to Herd That’s victory. Scoring 13 points, Elmore also showcased his playmaking abilities, amassing an impressive 6 assists, and contributing 3 rebounds and 2 blocks on the defensive end. His contributions to the team’s offense and defense proved crucial in securing the win.
Derek Cooke Jr. played a significant role in the team’s success as well, matching Elmore’s 13 points while adding 3 rebounds and 2 assists to his stat line. Cooke Jr.’s presence in the paint and his ability to contribute offensively added depth to Herd That’s scoring options.
Jacorey Williams made his mark on the game, tallying 11 points and 6 rebounds, showcasing his tenacity on both ends of the floor. His 3 assists and 1 block further exemplified his versatility and his willingness to do whatever it takes to help the team succeed.
James Kelly also played a critical role, putting up 9 points while contributing significantly in the rebounding and playmaking departments. With 6 rebounds and an impressive 4 assists, Kelly demonstrated his ability to create scoring opportunities for his teammates.
The collective efforts of the Herd That team proved too much for the Zoo Crew to handle, leading to their convincing 86-71 victory. Now, Herd That is gearing up to face Best Virginia in what promises to be a thrilling and high-stakes matchup in the round of 32. With their core players in top form, Herd That appears to be a formidable force in the tournament and will undoubtedly put on an impressive performance in the upcoming game. We look forward to seeing a great crowd for tonight’s much anticipated game.
Discussion about this post