Weekend Basketball: IVC races coming down to the wire
BOYS
WJER had a pair of victories over the airwaves Friday. New Philadelphia won its 10th in a row, beating West Holmes 48-35, led by Carter Vandall’s 29 points. Next up for the Quakers, Massillon Washington on the road Tuesday on WJER.
Dover topped Parkersburg South, visiting from West Virginia, 59-50. The Tornadoes were led by Carter Grove and Tyler Stephenson with 13 points each. The Tornadoes are home Friday against Steubenville where they will celebrate the 1998 state runner-up team. Listen to our coverage here on WJER.
Garaway moved closer to an IVC South title with a win over Ridgewood. Keshawn Miller and Logan Yoder had 12 points apiece. Garaway, at 8-2 in the IVC South, can win the division with wins over Sandy Valley and Claymont this week.
Malvern has the IVC North wrapped up. The Hornets are 10-0 in the division after Friday’s win over then second-place Strasburg 64-34.
Tuscarawas Central Catholic helped Malvern by beating Buckeye Trail 59-48 Friday. Jordan Cherry led everyone with 32 points. TCC, Strasburg, and Buckeye Trail all have three losses, so no one can catch Malvern with only two games left.
Sandy Valley beat Claymont 58-54. Dillon Watkins led the Mustangs with 18.
GIRLS
Dover won 31-15 Saturday as the Tornadoes celebrated Women in Sports.
Tuscarawas Central Catholic beat East Canton 49-23. Reese Triplett scored 20 to lead TCC.
Strasburg won against Conotton Valley 56-15 with four players in double figures. Olivia Spidell was chasing a triple-double with 8 steals and 10 assists.
Strasburg and TCC are tied atop the IVC with 9-2 records. Strasburg closes at home Wednesday against a surging Buckeye Trail team. TCC ends the season Wednesday at Malvern. There is a scenario where all four of those teams – Strasburg, TCC, Malvern, and buckeye trail – share the IVC North title.
Malvern won a non-conference game over Steubenville Central Catholic 46-35 Saturday. Maddie Powers had 17.
Claymont’s girls beat Sandy Valley 52-37. Emily Grant had 14 to lead the Mustangs.
Tusky Valley topped Indian Valley 56-26. Kadence Stutz had 16 points for the Trojans.
Tusky Valley is 10-0 in the IVC South and plays at home against Hiland Monday and at Sandy Valley Wednesday.
Hiland, after beating Garaway 43-36, has just one conference loss, so Monday’s game at Tusky Valley is huge.
The IVC girls basketball showcase is Saturday.
TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Also in girls high school basketball, brackets have been released for the start of tournament matchups. Playoff games begin the week of Feb. 13.
Among Tuscarawas County schools, action begins that Wednesday, Feb. 15. In Division ii, Dover is at Morgan High in McConnellsville, New Philadelphia is at Steubenville, and Indian Valley is at Indian Creek. All those Tuscarawas County teams are driving at least about an hour to get to their playoff games.
Who gets a home game? In Division III on Wednesday, Feb. 15, Tusky Valley, Claymont, and Sandy Valley play at home.
In Division IV on Thursday, Feb. 16, Tuscarawas Central Catholic, Garaway, and Strasburg play at home. That leaves Newcomerstown at the county’s greatest road warrior, traveling 90 miles to play at Frontier in New Matamoras.