By: Adam Freeman
The Tucker County Mt. Lions are headed to Charleston! After hitting the road to Franklin for the regional championship, Tucker County defeated the Pendleton County Wildcats on their home court, delivering one of its most electrifying performances of the season with a 65–46 victory to punch their ticket to the state tournament.
In front of a packed gymnasium with standing-room-only on Wednesday night, the Mt. Lions brought an energy that matched the intensity of the moment. Tucker stormed out of the gates with a blistering 13–0 run that immediately set the tone for the night. By the end of the first quarter, the Mt. Lions had built a commanding 16–5 lead and never looked back.
With a trip to Charleston on the line, Tucker County refused to let momentum slip away. The Wildcats had defeated the Mt. Lions twice during the regular season, but Tucker made it clear early that there would be no third victory.
Fueled by relentless defense, fast-paced offense, and the electric atmosphere inside the gym, the Mt. Lions controlled the game from start to finish. The lead continued to grow as Tucker executed on both ends of the floor, ultimately securing the regional crown in dominant fashion.
When the final buzzer sounded, the scoreboard read 65–46, and the celebration began as Tucker County was officially announced as Regional Co-Champions.
Balanced scoring powered the Mt. Lions throughout the night. Ethan Cummings (Jr.) led the charge with a game-high 19 points, while Cayden Arnold (Jr.) added 16. Carson Dearborn (Sr.) and Sam Marks (Sr.) each contributed 10 points, Xander Lambert (Sr.) chipped in seven, and Drew Simmons (Jr.) added two.
With the victory, Tucker County improves to 16–8 on the season and now turns its focus to the state tournament in Charleston.
The Mt. Lions have been awarded the No. 6 seed and will face No. 3 seed Huntington St. Joseph’s (15–8) in the opening round Tuesday morning at 9:30 a.m. on March 17, 2026.
