Big Reds fall to talented Highlanders, 79-66
Parkersburg’s Nate Rodriguez (25) brings the ball up the court during Tuesday’s game against Huntington at Memorial Fieldhouse. (Photo by Aaron Lee)
Parkersburg’s Luke Anderson handles the ball during Tuesday’s game against Huntington at Memorial Fieldhouse. (Photo by Aaron Lee)
Parkersburg’s Nate Rodriguez (25) brings the ball up the court during Tuesday’s game against Huntington at Memorial Fieldhouse. (Photo by Aaron Lee)
Parkersburg’s Luke Anderson handles the ball during Tuesday’s game against Huntington at Memorial Fieldhouse. (Photo by Aaron Lee)
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PARKERSBURG -- Winning is undoubtedly the goal of every team when they step out onto the court. However, when that does not happen, it is best to learn and improve within the loss, and that is what the Big Reds boys basketball team did against Huntington in their 79-66 defeat.
The final score and the game itself tell two different stories. It looked to be anybody's game well into the fourth quarter.
Quentin Wilson started things off strong for Parkersburg with a steal on the Highlanders' first possession. Moments later, a miss by Matthew Stalnaker was put back by his brother Andrew for two.
Mikey Johnson managed a steal and a dunk on the ensuing fast break for Huntington. Late in the first, Isaac Dailey of the Big Reds hit a nothing-but-net 3-pointer.
Quality defense was a huge factor early in the second. Andrew Stalnaker blocked a Huntington shot, and then Jayden Clark of the Highlanders intercepted a pass for a turnover.
Wilson, while being knocked down, drained a three and drew a foul. Nathan Rodriguez nailed four free throws in a row to keep the Big Reds in the game. Once again at the end of this quarter, Dailey hit an impressive three. Parkersburg went into the half only down by two at 39-37.
Dailey hit another three early in the third. Andrew Stalnaker executed an impressive spin move that led to a layup for two.
Johnson of the Highlanders was a defensive force all night. He blocked a shot by Dailey in the third, and then contributed a steal that led to a layup.
The Big Reds hit a couple more threes late in the third, one by Rodriguez, and the other by Dailey, the 3-point machine. Parkersburg trailed 59-54 going into the final quarter.
Dailey had a nice layup that drew a free throw attempt in the fourth. A putback attempt by Huntington was blocked by the long arm of Connor Gribble moments later. Parkersburg took the lead midway through the fourth on a bank shot by Matthew Stalnaker.
After this, the Highlanders began to pull away. Johnson found his second dunk of the night as Huntington secured the victory.
Rodriguez led Parkersburg in terms of scoring with 19 points. Dailey was right behind him with 18 and five made threes.
Johnson led all scorers with 24. Clark contributed 18 for the Highlanders.
Big Reds head coach Phil Wilson put things in perspective after the hard-fought game, "We're playing hard, and that's all I can ask them to do is play hard. We knew at the beginning of the season it was going to be a gauntlet, and that's exactly what it is, but as long as we keep getting better week after week, I think we're going to be fine as we get towards the end of the season. We just gotta go through the growing pains right now."
He continued, "I can't be more proud of them right now. Sometimes there is such a thing as winning through losing, and I think this is one of those opportunities right here."
Contact Aaron Lee at alee@newsandsentinel.com