CHARMCO – Greenbrier West opened the 2021-22 boys’ basketball season with 76-61 home win over previously unbeaten Pocahontas County on Thursday night. Returning only one starter from last year’s state tournament squad, the Cavaliers got double-digit scoring from five players in the win. The Warriors countered with two twenty-point scorers, but relentless Cavalier pressure rendered their output moot.
Senior Chase McClung, coming off a spectacular first season for the West football team, is the sole returning starter for the Cavaliers. A player that clearly understood his role the past two seasons as mostly a rebounder and defender, McClung easily transitioned into a scorer’s role in the win. McClung tallied 16 points for the Cavaliers, but his offensive output didn’t take away from his strong points as he pulled down 10 rebounds, had 7 steals, and 9 deflections. McClung added four assists for good measure.
Showing Cavaliers fans the cupboard is far from bare, the breakout player of the game was Chase’s younger brother, sophomore Brayden McClung. Brayden got extended minutes in the game when Ty Nickell ran into early foul trouble. Showing a relentless style Cavalier fans have grown accustomed to watching Chase play, Brayden also chipped in with 16 points while nabbing three rebounds, three steals, and four deflections. Brayden was selected Player of the Game by the Radio Greenbrier crew.
The Cavaliers got meaningful contributions from every new starter that hit the floor. Michael Kanode assumed the post position with the departure of Lawson Vaughan to graduation and performed admirably in the victory. Kanode registered a double-double with 14 points and 15 rebounds. Elijah Perkins, a senior that saw limited varsity action last season, had a breakout performance of his own with 11 points and three rebounds. Dale Boone, a junior transfer that played for Richwood his freshman year before moving to Ohio for his sophomore season, showed a lot of poise and versatility with 11 points, five rebounds, and four steals. Boone looked confident in creating space to find an open shot.
Kadin Parker ran the point guard position effectively, doling out 9 assists to go with five points. Parker and Brayden McClung took turns harassing Pocahontas point guard Sean Beverage on the defensive end. Nickell, whose foul trouble left him on the bench most of the second quarter, checked into the contest with 20 seconds remaining in the first quarter to nail a big three pointer that gave the Cavaliers a three-point cushion at the end of the opening quarter. West maintained their lead at three at halftime as Jamie Vandevender’s hot shooting kept the Warriors close. At one point, Vandevender hit three consecutive three-point baskets for nine unanswered points.
The Cavaliers won the battle on the boards 47 to 43, and only committed 7 turnovers to the Warrior’s 21. If West showed room for improvement, it was at the free throw line. The Cavaliers found the home rims cold, going 14 for 31 from the charity stripe.
The Warriors started an all-senior lineup on a roster that listed eight seniors total. Two of those seniors accounted for 41 of the Pocahontas County points. Vandevender scored 20, but only three of those in the second half as the Cavalier defense adjusted to his stroke. Vandevender also had to sit for some extended minutes in the fourth quarter with four fouls. Beverage led all scorers with 21 points.
Greenbrier West returns to action Tuesday night when they travel to Richwood for the Lumberjacks’ season opener. Junior varsity action begins at 5:45 while the varsity tips at 7:30. Cavalier basketball can be heard all season on Oldies 93, WKCJ, and is streamed live on the WKCJ Facebook page as well as radiogreenbrier.com.
Pocahontas County (1-1) 19 16 16 10 – 61
Greenbrier West (1-0) 22 14 19 19 – 76
GW – Chase McClung 16pts, Brayden McClung 16, Michael Kanode 14, Dale Boone 11, Elijah Perkins 11, Kadin Parker 5, Ty Nickell 3
PC – Sean Beverage 21pts, Jamie Vandevender 20
3-point goals – GW 6 (B. McClung 2, Boone 2, C. McClung 1, Nickell 1) PC 5 (Vandevender 3, Beverage 2)
Fouled out – GW (B. McClung) PC (Vandevender)
