CHARMCO – Greenbrier West went on the road Wednesday night for a Region III matchup with the Webster County Highlanders. With most of the Region III participants hovering around the .500 mark, it was an opportunity for the Cavaliers to build some postseason equity. Instead of traveling home with a win under their belts, Greenbrier West made a long trip home wondering what went wrong in a 52-42 loss.
The Cavaliers opened the game with some relatively hot shooting, depending on the perspective. West was a scintillating 5-5 from inside the arc with Colton Dunbar working the basket for six early points. Asher Barclay and Kamden Sams added the other two West buckets. The Cavaliers were cold shooting in the first quarter if you like three-pointers. West went 0-3 from behind the arc, leaving the Cavaliers a little light in the scoring column. Webster County found more opportunities to shoot and score in the opening quarter, going 4-5 from two and 2-3 from three. Isiah Cutlip led the charge with six points on two three-pointers and Ryder Wright added a pair of baskets to help the Highlanders to a 13-8 first quarter lead.
Another Cutlip, senior forward Madux Cutlip, carried much of the scoring load for Webster County off the bench in the second quarter. Madux had a pair of baskets to go along with a couple of made free throws for six points. His teammate, Ryder Wright, remained a viable scoring threat and added four more points. Isiah Cutlip added a field goal to give the Highlanders a slim 12-11 edge in the quarter. Greenbrier West freshman Carter Vandall drilled a three pointer as part of his team-leading five points in the quarter. Scoring was at a premium, though, and West could only scratch up 11 second quarter points. The Cavaliers trailed 30-24 at the halftime break.
Colton Dunbar heated up again in the third quarter with two baskets and a free throw, but West mostly found a lid over the rim and mustered only four additional points. Sams and Shane Plogger each added buckets in a nine-point stanza. Josten Lewis picked up the scoring load for Webster County, matching the Cavalier with nine points of his own. The last three points were controversial.
With less than ten seconds remaining in the quarter and the Cavaliers trailing 40-33, Lewis drove to the basket from the left wing. Dunbar slid into position as Lewis went airborne. Lewis crashed into Dunbar’s chest and the nearside official signaled an offensive foul. The far side official signaled that Lewis was fouled and that his basket counted. The visiting fans were upset with the call and West head coach Jared Robertson requested an explanation. The officiating crew stuck with the foul call on Dunbar. Meanwhile, Lewis toed the line and nailed his free throw, giving the Highlanders a 10-point lead heading into the final frame.
Greenbrier West and Webster County both struggled to score in the fourth period. Barclay came to life for the Cavaliers and scored six points while Wright added five for the Highlanders. The two squads each score nine points apiece giving Webster County a 52-42 win.
Colton Dunbar led the Cavaliers in scoring for the second straight game with 15 points. Dunbar added 12 rebounds, unofficially. Barclay added 10 for Greenbrier West. Wright led Webster County with 13 points, followed by Josten Lewis and Isiah Cutlip who each had 12 points.
Greenbrier West (2-5) hosts Class AAA #9 Greenbrier East Friday night for the first time in over 23 years. Webster County (4-5) travels to Meadow Bridge Friday night.
GW – 13 11 9 9 – 42
WC – 18 12 13 9 – 52
Scoring – (GW) Dunbar 15, Barclay 10, Sams 6, Vandall 6, Plogger 3, Keener 2
(WC) Wright 13, Lewis 12, I. Cutlip 12, M. Cutlip 6, Baird 5, Farmer 4.
