By: Adam Freeman
Both the Boys and Girls basketball teams for Tucker County High School got their annual summer league under way this past week at Keyser High School. The boys team took on Fort Hill (MD) on May 27th. The boys team returns 3 starters from their third consecutive State Runners Up team and return their top two bench players from a season ago. The Mt. Lions will however have to replace two First-Team All-State players in 1,000 point scorer, Trevan Bonner and above the rim standout, Garrett Wilfong. The Mt. Lions were also without two starters from last year’s team in Sam Marks (recovering from shoulder surgery) and Xander Lambert (recovering from ankle surgery). Tucker found themselves down by 16 points at the half to Fort Hill but would battle back and make the game tight at the end. Tucker would ultimately fall by 4 points and their summer season started off with a loss. Junior guard Cayden “Diz” Arnold led the way with a solid performance of 14 points and 7 assists. Tucker will play again on June 3rd at 5 o’clock against East Hardy and against Petersburg at 7 o’clock, both games will be played at Potomac State College in Keyser.
The Lady Mt. Lions also got underway this last week. They have a large hole to fill on their squad as well, replacing 3-year starter and First-Team All Stater Raven Matthews. Tucker does return their 4 other starters from a team that made the State Tournament a season ago. Tucker took on the Union Tigers in their first matchup, taking the lop-sided victory 77-14. Tucker’s second matchup was against a talented Mt. Ridge (MD) team. Tucker’s defense and transition play would prove to be too much for the Miners as TC would take the win by 20 at 47-27. The Lady Mt. Lions will return to action at Keyser Middle School on June 2nd where they will take on Hampshire County at 6 o’clock then Fort Hill (MD) at 8 o’clock.
