CHARMCO – Just when it looked like Greenbrier West might be turning around its season with back-to-back wins, the Cavaliers suffered a demoralizing loss at home to Midland Trail. The Patriots shot the lights out of John C. Estep Gymnasium to the tune of fifteen three-pointers while cruising to an 84-39 win.
The Patriots seemingly got off the bus firing three-pointer after three-pointer. Midland Trail connected on four threes in the first quarter, getting a pair of treys from Levi Skaggs and one each from Payton Bailes and Thad Brown. Greenbrier West on the other hand, found the sledding a little more difficult. Colton Dunbar knocked down a pair of free throws for the Cavaliers’ first points, but baskets were a little harder to buy. Kamden Sams misfired on three field goal attempts before knocking down his first basket. Isac Crane had a miss before scoring, and Asher Barclay and Aiden Crane each had an errant shot. Midland Trail built a 20-9 first quarter advantage.
The second quarter offered no answers for the Cavaliers and plenty of scoring for the Patriots. Bailes kept scoring to the tune of ten second quarter points that included two more three-pointers. Jacob Brown came off the bench to connect on a three and Midland Trail’s lead grew to 37-9 before Greenbrier West could get on the scoreboard. Less than two minutes remained in the first half before West broke the seal on the rim with a Dunbar layup. Barclay added four more points for the Cavaliers, but West trailed the Patriots 40-15 at the halftime break.
Greenbrier West had its best output of the evening in the third quarter with a more balanced effort. Sams connected on a three-pointer and a pair of free throws to lead West with five points. Dunbar added a pair of field goals and Barclay contributed with three points. Midland Trail kept launching three-pointers, however, and outscored Greenbrier West 20-15. Bailes and Thad brown each hit a pair of three-pointers with Skaggs and Ben Harrison converting traditional three-point plays. Midland Trail’s advantage grew to a 60-30 count by the end of the third quarter.
The fourth quarter saw Midland Trail add five more three-point baskets, this time from the reserves. Jacob Brown nailed his second and third treys of the game and poured in eight points. Isiah Harper added a pair of threes and John Neal’s only score came on a late three pointer. For the Cavaliers, Ben McDaniel continued to make the most of his playing time with a bucket and a pair of free throws. Jesses Walkup persisted after a trio of missed threes to knock down a basket and Dunbar added to his team-high ten points, tied with Sams for the team lead. Midland Trail’s barrage of threes outscored West 24-9 for an 84-39 victory.
Greenbrier West (4-7) travels to Dunmore on Thursday night to battle Pocahontas County in its fourth game in four nights. Midland Trail (7-5) hosts Summers County Friday night.
MT – 20 20 20 24 – 84
GW – 9 6 15 9 – 39
Scoring – (MT) Bailes 21, T. Brown 14, J. Brown 13, Skaggs 9, Harrison 7, Harper 6, Thomas 4, Ewing 4, Neal 3, Hurley 2
(GW) Dunbar 10, Sams 10, Barclay 7, McDaniel 4, I. Crane 3, Vandall 2, Walkup 2
