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By Gaylen Duskey
realfang@citlink.net
Calhoun's second-half defense allowed it to roar from behind and post a 59-47 victory over Williamstown in first round of the Class A Region 1, Section 2 tournament Saturday night at Ritchie County High School.
With the win the Red Devils advance to next Tuesday's semifinal game against No. 3 ranked Parkersburg Catholic.
In the other quarterfinal games Gilmer County beat Paden City 49-38 and advanced to the other semifinal against St. Marys, a 52-43 victor over Wirt County. They play the first game at 6 p.m. and Calhoun plays PCHS in the second game at 8 p.m.
The Red Devils had a balanced scoring attack with Chucky Kendall leading the way with 15. Kendall was especially hot in the fourth quarter when he rammed in nine points to break open a close game.
Calhoun, now 10-10, held a precarious 34-31 lead heading into the final period but with Kendall lighting the 9-11 Yellowjackets up the Red Devils pulled away.
Calhoun's smothering defense, which held the 'Jackets to five third quarter points, was one of the main things that opened the way for Kendall in the fourth quarter, especially with the 6-1 senior garnering a couple of steals for baskets.
Calhoun also had a big night from Zach Moore. Moore scored 14 points and pulled down 14 rebounds as the Red Devils controlled the boards against Williamstown, enjoying a 34-20 advantage. Justin Gerwig, who had eight points, added seven rebounds for the Red Devils.
Bronson Clark, who played at Ritchie County last year, had 11 points, five rebounds and three assists as he enjoyed his visit to his old school. Meanwhile point guard Kyle Keesler had five while adding three assists and Dan Sims came off the bench to score six on a pair of three-point bombs.
Calhoun started off quickly but cooled off some allowing Williamstown to take a 12-10 first quarter lead. The 'Jackets stretched it out to 26-21 at halftime as Calhoun played most of the second quarter without Moore, who was benched with two early fouls.
But the second half belonged to Calhoun as the Red Devils gained revenge for a four-point loss in the Clarksburg Notre Dame Holiday Tournament. It that game Williamstown shot 34 fouls while Calhoun shot 12 and never reached the one-and-one.
The Red Devils played all 12 players with Anthony Richards, Cai Clothier, Tyler Bennett, Randy Fluharty, Caleb Schoolcraft and Brandon Sampson all playing but not scoring.
Williamstown was led by David Huggins with 14 while Andrew Badgely added 11 and Luke Offenberger 10.
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