HAMBLETON – The Mt. Lions rebounded from two tough losses last weekend with a big win on Monday Feb 24th. Tucker County knocked off #1 Notre Dame at home 56-53.
The much anticipated game did not disappoint the big crowd that came out to watch. Both teams battled back and forth in the first quarter as Tucker County led after one 18-12. The Mt. Lions continued to execute on offense and defense in the second as they outscored the Irish 15-12 in the quarter to gain a 33-25 halftime lead.
Notre Dame came out hot in the third quarter and held Tucker County to just 7 points in the quarter to get within 1 point after three as Tucker led 40-39 after the third quarter. The fourth quarter was a battle as both teams went back and forth down to the end. The Irish held a 4 point lead late in the game but two 3 point baskets by Ian Nichols put Tucker County up one late in the game and Austin Zirk made 2 key foul shots to give Tucker County the 3 point upset win 56-53.
Ian Nichols had 14 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Mt. Lions. Mitchell Mason finished with 13 points and Austin Zirk added 12 points and 5 rebounds in the win.
PETERSBURG – Tucker County traveled to Petersburg on Thursday Feb 27th to make up a game that was canceled the day before. A late rally by Petersburg propelled them to victory over the Mt. Lions 63-58.
The Mt. Lions jump out to a fast start to lead 15-8 after the first quarter. In the second quarter the offense picked up as both teams scored 20 points in the quarter to make the score 35-28 Tucker County at the half.
The Vikings outpaced the Mt. Lions in the third 18-14 to cut the Tucker County lead to 3 points after three 49-46. Petersburg continued to score on offense in the fourth. The Vikings then outscored the Mt. Lions through the last part of the fourth period to pick up the close win over Tucker County 63-58.
Ian Nichols and Mitchell Mason finished with 14 points each for Tucker County. Owen Evans led the Mt. Lions in rebounding with 6 boards. The Tucker County JV team picked up the win 56-42 in the first game. The Mt. Lions JV team finished the season with an impressive 13-2 record.
Tucker County(15-5) was scheduled to start Sectional play on Tuesday March 4th against Tygarts Valley. The winner of that game will play the Notre Dame/Harman winner on Thursday March 6th @ 7pm for the Sectional Championship. Both games will be broadcast on WELK 94.7fm. All games will be played at Elkins High School. Both teams playing in the Sectional Championship will play one more game on March 12th with the winner playing at home and the loser traveling to the winner of the other Sectional Championship. For more sports info go to TuckerCountySports.Com.
