Ravenswood won on its rival’s home court for a second straight game.
That win earned the Red Devils a trip home.
A 56-42 victory over Point Pleasant Saturday night in a Class AA sectional final at the Ripley Health Center (home of the Vikings) will have the defending state champs in Ravenswood Thursday evening for a second meeting this season with Magnolia. The Blue Eagles come to Ravenswood after falling to Weir in another sectional final Friday night.
Earlier this season Ravenswood defeated Magnolia on its home court, 65-58.
The winner of Thursday’s game, which tips at 7 p.m., will head to the West Virginia Boys State High School Basketball Tournament in Charleston next week. Ravenswood’s win over Point Pleasant was the third of the season. Ravenswood improved to 19-4 while the Big Blacks dropped to 12-12. Point Pleasant could still head to the State Tournament with a win at Weir, also to be played Thursday night.
The Big Blacks led Ravenswood Saturday night, 13-11, after one quarter before the Devils gained a 20-18 edge at halftime. The Red Devils were up by seven, 34-27, at the end of three quarters. Point Pleasant managed to pull within three, but that was as close as they could get.
Senior Ryan Benson was Ravenswood’s top scorer with 16 points, all of which came in the second half. Senior teammate Luke Murray scored 15 in the win. Chad Small and Zack Martin each hit double figures by scoring 10.
Benson and Small led Ravenswood in rebounding with seven.
Tyler Deal scored 13 for Point Pleasant while Drake Nolan had 11.
The win was Ravenswood’s 12th consecutive sectional championship. The Red Devils realize, though, a much bigger prize awaits them with a win over Magnolia.
The Devils will be trying to gain entry into the State Tournament for a third straight year and fourth time in the last five. During that stretch Ravenswood has played in three Class AA championship games, winning two.
