DUNMORE – Greenbrier West capped off a wild week of basketball that saw them play on four consecutive nights with a 62-48 win at Pocahontas County. The victory gave West a 3-1 mark for the week and allowed the Cavaliers to travel home on a high note following a grueling week of hoops. Greenbrier West defeated Meadow Bridge at home on Monday before winning on the road at Richwood Tuesday. West returned home Wednesday night and took one on the chin from Midland Trail before making the longest trip of the week to Pocahontas County.
After Wednesday night’s loss, Cavalier head coach Jared Robertson was looking for a way to inspire and reenergize his basketball team. After some discussion with his staff, Robertson decided to shake up the starting five. In addition to the regular starters Kamden Sams and Colton Dunbar, Robertson inserted sophomores Ben McDaniel and Shane Plogger into the starting mix. The fifth starter was freshman Carter Vandall. Vandall had led the team in scoring against both Meadow Bridge and Richwood earlier in the week.
None of the three new starters scored in the opening period, but you could feel a renewed sense of purpose and energy on the floor. After a Dunbar layup got the scoring started, Sams came out firing for the Cavaliers. The junior guard connected on a pair of three-pointers and knocked down a short ranger jumper to give him an eight-point quarter. Dunbar went 3-3 from the floor and pulled down a pair of rebounds. Asher Barclay and Isac Crane each added baskets for Greenbrier West as they broke out to a 21-12 first quarter advantage. Dillon Dunz scored six points in the paint for the Warriors while Carter Vandevander put up four points.
Pocahontas County outscored Greenbrier West 11-10 in the second quarter with Dunz carrying the bulk of the scoring load. Dunz shot 3-5 from the floor and added a pair of free throws to give the senior 14 first half points. The Cavaliers got contributions from Carter Vandall (4), Randy Keener (2), Isaac Crane (2), and Barclay (2) to keep pace. West led 31-23 at the half.
Both teams showed a balanced scoring load in the third quarter. Sams dumped in six points on three field goals and Barclay added five points. Isaac Crane drained a three-pointer, and West got points from Dunbar, McDaniel, and Dakota McKinney on their way to a 22-11 third quarter. Trenton Brock and Matthew McQuain led the way for the Warriors with three points each. Ben Workman and Vandevender added a basket each, but Greenbrier West held a 53-34 third quarter advantage.
Pocahontas County would do their best to rally in the fourth quarter, but the Cavaliers made just enough plays to keep the Warriors at a safe distance. Dunz and Brock double teamed the effort until Dunz fouled out with 5:05 left in the game. Dunz’s absence left a huge void in the Warrior’s scoring column as the senior left the contest with a game-high 19 points. Workman tried to pick up the slack with four points, but the Warriors would come up short.
Sams buttoned up his night with three points in the fourth quarter for a team-high 17 points. Keener connected for three-point play and West secured a 62-48 win. Barclay finished the night with 10 points. Dunbar added 8 points and 8 rebounds.
Greenbrier West (5-7) is off until Tuesday night when the Cavaliers host Montcalm. Pocahontas County (2-8) travels to Moorefield on Tuesday.
GW – 21 10 22 9 – 62
PC – 12 11 11 14 – 48
Scorers – (GW) Sams 17, Barclay 10, Dunbar 8, Isaac Crane 8, Vandall 6, Keener 5, Aiden Crane 3, McDaniel 3, McKinney 2
(PC) Dunz 19, Brock 10, Workman 7, Vandevender 6, McQuain 6
