Dave Curry
Contributing Writer
The Pocahontas County High School Warriors had a great week of basketball, adding three wins to their ever-improving season totals.
On January 4, a young Richwood team visited Warrior Coliseum and was defeated – 71 to 57.
On January 6, two determined and able Moorefield High School teams challenged the Warriors on a cold, snowy evening. A good crowd was in attendance as the Lady Warriors varsity took on the visiting Lady Yellowjackets in the early game, winning by a score of 55 to 43.
In the second game, the Warrior men battled a well-balanced Moorefield squad in a hard fought contest. Junior Jarret Taylor led the way in the first quarter with two steals and a couple of three-point baskets. The Yellowjackets played tough defense and kept it close to finish the first half at PCHS 26 to 23 for MHS.
The second half see-sawed back and forth as both teams struggled with their shooting. At the end of the third quarter, the Warriors trailed the visitors 35 to 34. With four minutes left in the game, Pocahontas grabbed a one point lead at 38 to 37.
The action heated up considerably during the last four minutes as both teams went on a scoring rampage. The Warriors clung to the lead and held off a hard charging Moorefield team for a final score of 52 to 46.
Taylor led the scoring for the winners with 19 points while junior Briar Wilfong had possibly his best floor game of the season as he contributed 12 points and 11 rebounds. The brothers Jones – Brady and Jacob – added 16 rebounds between them.
The Yellowjackets were paced by Rion Landes with 14 points and Garret Haggerty with 12.
The PCHS men hit the road for Hinton January 7 to visit the Summers County Bobcats. No road games are easy, especially after a tough Friday night game, but the Warriors were able to pull out a tough 53 to 51 win. Logan Dilley led a well-balanced attack with 14 points while Wilfong added 11 and Brady Jones added 10. Brandon Halterman led the rebounding with eight caroms.
“It’s tough to play on the road, and it’s always good to get a win,” head coach Tim McClung said.
The road doesn’t get any easier as the PCHS Warriors will visit Franklin Wednesday, January 11. The Wildcats of Pendleton will be seeking revenge from an earlier loss to the Warriors and will be ready.
On Friday, the 13th, the Tygart Valley Bulldogs will visit Warrior Coliseum for an always interesting match-up.
The back end of the schedule for the Warriors looks like a lot of away games and time to be spent on the road. Only one more home game is scheduled, that being February 4 with Summers County, so get out and see the PCHS Warriors this Friday at Warrior Coliseum.