Mar 19, 2025
photo by: Jay Morris
Wheeling Central’s Eli Sancomb dribbles on the wing during the Maroon Knights’ WVSSAC Class AA state quarterfinals Tuesday against No. 7 Ritchie County, an 80-27 Knights victory.
CHARLESTON – The Wheeling Central train kept a rollin’ in Charleston on Tuesday as the No. 2 Maroon Knights had little trouble in the Class AA state quarterfinals against No. 7 Ritchie County, winning 80-27 inside the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center.
The Maroon Knights led wire-to-wire on Tuesday, starting fast and never slowing down in a hyper-efficient offensive outing for head coach Mel Stephens’ crew.
Wheeling Central started the game shooting 6-8 from the field over the first five minutes- though both misses were followed by offensive rebounds, and conversions. The Knights had just one turnover in that same stretch, but Ritchie County passed the ball out of bounds seconds after gaining possession. The Maroon led 19-5 after that initial barrage, made possible by 11 points and two assists from junior Eli Sancomb, and led 23-8 after the first quarter.
Offense continued to come easy for Wheeling Central, and their lead was extended to a 51-17 advantage at halftime, with Stephens already going aways down his bench for substitutions before the break.
“Normally down here, you don’t get to do that. It’s definitely a blessing,” Stephens said. “It’s different for us being in the rotation where you’d play Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. If you don’t mind being here all week, you get that day off and day to practice and prepare.”
Eli Sancomb had 20 points, eight rebounds and four assists at halftime, and finished with 22 points, 11 rebounds and six assists. Tyler Dean shot a perfect 5-5 from 3-point range to finish with 21 points of his own.
“I’m a catch-and-shoot guy,” Dean said. “Eli found me and my other teammates found me. I got good looks today and I was hitting them.”
“I trust my teammates in every fashion and I know they’re going to knock down shots,” Sancomb said.
Wheeling Central was molten hot from the floor, shooting 58% from the floor in the first half, including a hard-to-beat 9-14 mark from long range.
“We feel like we have good shooters,” Stephens said. “My thought is if you’re a shooter, you can shoot anywhere. Being down here last year helps.”
Luke Sancomb finished with nine points and three assists for Central, while Max Olejasz had eight points and a game-high 12 rebounds. 10 Maroon Knights scored in all.
Rhett Johnson had 15 points to lead Ritchie County, making five 3-pointers. Wheeling Central held the Rebels to 21.7% shooting from the field in the game.
After a decisive victory, Wheeling Central will have Wednesday off before taking on No. 3 WestSide on Thursday at 11:15 a.m.
WestSide managed a lopsided win of their own in the quarterfinals, defeating No. 6 Doddridge County 83-53 on Wednesday.
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