KEYSER, W.Va. — No. 3 Keyser led from the start and had a commanding lead for nearly the entire game, defeating Frankfort 56-20 on Thursday.
“I thought we executed well defensively,” Keyser head coach Josh Blowe said. “We’ve kind of been in a defensive groove lately, the last four games or so. I think we haven’t allowed more than 40 points. We did a great job rebounding, the effort was awesome.”
Before the game, the Golden Tornado (16-3) celebrated Senior Night and recognized Kiara Kesner, Makayla Gillaspie and Jewel Selby.
Kesner scored six points with four steals and three assists.
“She’s always been a defensive specialist,” Blowe said. “She has a really good shot, she doesn’t shoot it all the time but she’s a really good shooter with good form. She’s always been one of our defensive stoppers. She brings a lot to the table, energy, effort, defensive tenacity.”
After recognizing the seniors, Keyser added to the pre-game festivities with a special team introduction.
A disc jockey introduced the starters as strobe lights flashed and a smoke machine went off as the players took the court.
“That was awesome, you want to make Senior Night special for the seniors that put in all that hard work,” Blowe said. “Having the DJ, the great student section here, everything around it was just outstanding.”
Keyser scored the game’s first six points and led 10-3 midway through the first quarter, on its way to its 10th-straight victory.
Bibs Felton scored six points, had two steals and a block in the first quarter alone. She finished with 17 points, five steals, two blocks and two assists.
“She’s crafty around the rim,” Blowe said. “She can reverse under the basket. She can go left, she can go right, she can pull up. She can go past somebody. She’s just a complete offensive player right now.”
The Falcons (3-19) only field goal of the quarter came at the 2:56 mark. Adison Pritts inbounded to Jillian Ault for a layup that made the score 8-3.
The Tornado scored seven unanswered and led 15-3 after one quarter.
Keyser’s defense dominated the first half. Frankfort was held to one made field goal in each of the first two quarters.
“Making them shoot tough shots,” Blowe said of what worked defensively. “When they shoot tough shots, they don’t get a second shot. Our press in the first half was very effective. We had the ball a lot more than they did.”
After scoring three points in the first quarter, the Falcons were held to five in the second.
The Tornado forced 15 turnovers in the first half while committing seven.
While Keyser was in control from the start, the Tornado struggled early to hit open layups.
Keyser led 27-8 at halftime, but only shot 10 of 30 (33%) from the field.
“We’ve been in a little funk with layups lately,” Blowe said. “We’re getting open, we’re getting the defense to help. We’re finding the backside, but for whatever reason, they don’t go in.”
However, the Tornado’s defense held the Falcons to 2 of 20 (10%) shooting from the field in the first half.
Keyser led 38-14 after three quarters, outscoring Frankfort 11-6 in the third quarter.
The Tornado inserted several bench players in the fourth quarter and Carlee Staggs scored nine points.
With about four minutes left, Selby entered the game. After drawing a foul, she split a pair of free throws for her first varsity point.
Selby, who is playing her first season of basketball, was on the junior varsity team for most of the season.
“From day one to now, the growth she has made and her development as a basketball player has been amazing,” Blowe said. “It’s been something special to watch. For her to score her first varsity point on the foul line, coach (Matt) Everline said that’s a storybook ending. To see her teammates and the students and crowd get excited for her, it’s very special.”
Frankfort’s regular season concluded on Thursday. The Falcons will be the No. 3 seed in the Class AA, Region II, Section I playoffs beginning on Tuesday.
Frankfort heads to No. 2 seed Moorefield to open the section playoffs.
Keyser is at Hedgesville on Friday at 7:30 p.m. in the regular-season finale.
The Tornado will be the top seed in Class AAA, Region I, Section II and will host the winner of No. 2 Hampshire and No. 3 Berkeley Springs next Friday.