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Big Reds sink No. 1 Capital in 67-65 thriller

Parkersburg’s Easton Martin goes up for a rebound against a few Capital players. Martin finished the night with a game-high nine collected caroms and provided a big boost off the bench. Photo by Joe Albright.

PARKERSBURG — Karson Snyder knocked down four free throws in the closing two minutes, including two free throws with seventh-tenths of a second left, to send the Big Reds to a thrilling come-from-behind victory against Class AAA, No. 1 Capital, 67-65, Thursday night inside PHS Memorial Fieldhouse.

“Our guys are gritty, tough and don’t want to lose,” said PHS head man Jeff Mennillo, when asked about the heart of his team.

Down 10 entering the final period of play and failing to generate much offense from the field, the Big Reds turned to the foul line and a stifling defensive effort to pull out the victory. PHS went to the line 14 times in the closing session. Snyder led the way with six trips and hit on five shots.

The final-year player tallied 28 points on the night with eight of those coming in the closing stanza for Menillo.

“I don’t know what it is,” said Snyder, with a smile on his face, when asked about coming through in the big moment. “It just brings something out of me. I don’t know. It seems I always want the ball when time is running out. I just want a chance.”

Parkersburg’s Karson Snyder drives through the lane to score two of his game-high 28 points during the Big Reds’ 67-65 win over top-ranked Capital Thursday night inside PHS Memorial Fieldhouse. Snyder hit two free throws with seven-tenths of a second left to give the Big Reds the victory. Photo by Joe Albright.

“Karson is having just a monster senior year,” said his head coach. “He has grown as a teammate, a player, and a leader.”

PHS was up 2-0 before either team took the floor because of a techinical foul called on Capital for a player dunking during warmups.

However, the Cougars weren’t phased. The visitors built themselves a nine-point lead after one period of play, 24-15.

The Charleston-based team was paced by Leondre’ Rodgers’ 18 points. Rodgers was a thorn in the Big Reds side all evening. His quickness allowed him to get a lot of steals and long rebounds. He constantly got to the hoop but hurt his team at the free throw line. Only connecting on 3 of 9 from the free throw line. He missed four important attempts with time running out in the fourth quarter.

Capital’s advantage grew to as many as 15 in the second period but the Big Reds never gave in. Kionte Peacock nailed a trey and two dueces in the closing minutes before halftime to pull PHS within nine at the break.

Parkersburg got the lead down to four on a nice swish from Tyler Lawrentz from behind the arc late in the third period. The shot sent the crowd into a frenzy. Capital stayed strong and pushed the lead back up to 10 by the end of the third period.

“Coach just told us to keep shooting and reminded us when we were down big last year,” said Snyder. “Those examples really sparked us.”

Snyder and Kam White (six points) combined for 14 points in the fourth quarter. White’s two free throws with 4:32 left got the lead down to six. Seconds later, White chipped into Capital’s advantage further at the 3:57 mark. This time it was on a quick pop two. Snyder and Easton Martin then drained five of six freebies and the students rushed the court as the horn sounded.

Martin, along with Peacock and Lawrentz provided big minutes in the game because of foul trouble for the Big Red starters.

Senior Martin scored nine points and corraled nine caroms, which included the final four of the game for the Big Reds. Two of them being crucial defensive rebounds after Capital missed free throws.

“Our bench play tonight was outstanding, just absolutely positively outstandig,” said Mennillo. “All those guys contributed. It was a great team win. All the guys were picking each other up, all the guys on the bench we into the game … I mean it (the win) was good. That is one that is going to stick to your bones for a while.”

PHS returns to action when it faces St. Albans tonight at 7:30 back at Memorial Fieldhouse.

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