KEYSER, W.Va. — With a third consecutive trip to the state tournament on the line, Keyser took care of business on Tuesday.
In the Class AAA, Region II Co-Final, the Golden Tornado (18-3) defeated Elkins, 58-21.
Keyser clinched its fourth trip to Charleston in five seasons.
“The crowd was fantastic, the Keyser community, the surrounding area community, thankful for them for showing up,” Keyser head coach Josh Blowe said. “Student section, thank you so much for showing up. We’re very blessed to have that community and close-knit environment.”
The story of the first half was Keyser’s ability to force turnovers and score on the other end.
The Tornado forced nine turnovers with eight steals in the first quarter and scored 11 of its 13 points in the first quarter off of takeaways.
Leading 13-2 after one, Keyser scored nine of its 10 points in the second quarter off four takeaways and led 23-6 at halftime.
“I thought our pressure could really bother them, we thought that was one of their weaknesses,” Blowe said. “One of our strengths is applying pressure in the full-court and the half-court. I thought we did a really good job for four quarters of applying pressure all night long.”
The Tornado shot 10 of 29 (35%) from the floor and missed all eight triples in the first half, but held the Tigers (10-11) to 3 of 11 (27%) from the field.
Keyser scored 78% of its first half points off turnovers, turning 13 takeaways into 18 points.
The Tornado outscored Elkins 19-4 in the third quarter and led 44-10 after three.
“Our defense leading to offense, I thought it was outstanding for the most part,” Blowe said. “When we could score and get back into it, it looked great. But then in the second quarter, we went on a little lull. We didn’t score as well and couldn’t get into our pressure very much. Third quarter, we came out and I thought we executed at a high rate.”
Keyser’s bench took over for most of the fourth quarter and outscored the Tigers 14-11.
Bibs Felton scored 12 points in each half for a game-high 24, adding four steals, three assists and three blocks.
Jillian Ault tied her season-high of 14 points with 12 rebounds, four assists and two steals.
“She played really well, she’s really intentional about getting to the glass,” Blowe said. “Her defense was great, doesn’t show up in the stats, but her defense was great.”
Rooney Urice finished with eight points, six assists, six steals and two blocks.
Mencia Gomez led Elkins with seven points and four steals.
Keyser will be the No. 5 seed in the Class AAA tournament and opens with No. 4 John Marshall (17-5) on Wednesday at 9 p.m.
“Two years ago, I felt we were kinda like the new kids on the block,” Blowe said. “Kinda starstruck, they came out and hit some 3s on us and it snowballed from there.
“Last year, we battled and punched back. We led most of the game, credit to Wayne, they found a way to get it done the last minute and a half. This team will definitely not be starstruck, no matter who we play.”
The winner will face No. 1 Greenbrier East (24-0) and No. 8 Hampshire in the semifinal on Friday at 11:15 a.m.
The Trojans (16-8) clinched its fourth trip to Charleston since 2021 by defeating Lewis County, 55-52, in the other Region Co-Final on Tuesday.
“That’s great, I’m so happy for Hampshire as well,” Blowe said. “Two teams from this side, it’s never been done before, since I can remember. That’s awesome for them, awesome for our area to get two of the eight teams down in Charleston.”