By Gaylen Duskey
realfang@citlink.net
Calhoun moved to the .500 level for the first time in six years Friday night when it won its fifth straight game with a 52-37 blasting of Wirt County.
The Red Devils, now 8-8, shook of a first half offensive funk to roll up 35 second-half points including 19 in the decisive third quarter when they put the Tigers away. Calhoun actually led most of the final period by 20 or more points before Wirt cut into the final margin against the Red Devils' bench.
Justin Gerwig led Calhoun with a game-high 14 points, including eight early in the final period when the question changed from "who will win?" to "how much will they win by?"
Zach Moore added 12 points for the Red Devils, who save from being above .500 after winning their season-opening game this year, despite not scoring in the first half. He also led Calhoun with nine rebounds and three assists.
Calhoun had eight from Cai Clothier, including six in the second quarter when he helped the Red Devils take the lead for good. Chucky Kendall fought off illness to score seven points, all in the third quarter when he and Moore combined to give the Red Devils a 19-7 scoring edge and a 36-21 advantage heading into the fourth.
Kyle Keesler had six points and three assists from his point guard spot while guiding the Red Devils' offense and Bronson Clark chipped in with five.
Anthony Richards, Tyler Bennett, Dan Sims, Caleb Schoolcraft, Randy Fluharty and Brandon Sampson all played but did not score.
Dylan Wager led Wirt with nine points as the 8-8 Tigers failed to have anyone score in double figures.
Calhoun started its five-game winning streak with a two-point win at Wirt and has also beat South Harrison, Doddridge, Clay and Roane. The Red Devils won't have long to celebrate Friday night's victory since they are scheduled to play at South Harrison today (Saturday) with a noon doubleheader.
Wirt won the junior varsity game by a 58-23 margin, dropping Calhoun to 0-13 on the season.
Dalton Brindo led Wirt with a game-high 16 while Oakley Cheuvront added 12.
Sampson led Calhoun with six. He was backed by Schoolcraft with four, Quentin "Q Dawg" Murphy, Luke Moore and Dan Sims with three each. Trent Phillips and Derek Dawson had two apiece while Ricky Hall, Stuart Fitzwater and Bennett all played but did not score. Sampson also had six rebounds, a steal and a blocked shot for Calhoun.
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