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WHEELING – Class AA, No. 2 extended its winning streak to two games following a 76-59 victory against Weir here Monday afternoon at Linsly in the second annual Martin Luther King Jr. Classic.
The Red Riders, who dropped to 3-10 and play tonight at John Marshall, fell behind 23-8 after the opening quarter, but was able to narrow it to 36-25 at intermission.
Despite a game-high 28 points from Collin Cross, which included a half dozen trifectas, Weir only managed to get within nine in the fourth quarter.
"Honestly, I thought we got out to a great start. I thought our pressure was good at the beginning of the game," admitted 'Jacket head coach Scott Sauro, whose squad was paced in scoring with Parker Schramm and his 26 points that included five 3s.
"We had some pretty good balance, like shooting the 3 and attacking the rim. Sometimes we get a little 3 happy and I thought we had some good balance today early. We got off to a good start. They are a good team and they made a run."
Weir trailed 61-50 at 5:05 of the fourth following a Cross triple and the Red Riders finally got it back to single digits when Malachi Stromile had a steal and layup with 4:44 remaining.
However, Cruz Isaly answered with a lay-in for part of his 12 counters to push the lead back to double figures for good.
Carson Hill, who finished with seven points, knocked down a jumper following a Yellowjacket steal to beat the horn in the third quarter for a 56-38 advantage.
"What I was happy about it was the third game in four days and we answered their run and that was important for them that we answered that run," added Sauro, who received 14 points and eight rebounds from Louis Goodnow.
"When they made a play we kept answering. For being the third game in four days in that stretch we'll take it every time."
Da'Shwand Smith chipped in nine points and Jackson Potock had eight in the setback.
Williamstown, which also received six points from Jayden Bryant, was supposed to return to action on Friday at Tyler Consolidated, but that affair was moved to Feb. 8.
The 10-1 Yellowjackets opened the season 8-0 before suffering a 41-32 setback to top-ranked Class AA Charleston Catholic on Friday night at Logan. The Irish ended Williamstown's 25-0 perfect season in last year's state semifinals in Charleston.
Williamstown, which plays next Tuesday at Ritchie County, was able to bounce back on Saturday night by outlasting Logan in overtime, 56-51.