EHS Basketball : In Review
We have sadly reached the end of the basketball season in the city of Elkins. This has been a fun journey we have been on since November but now let’s stop and look back on these past few months in Elkins Basketball.
This season started with hope. Even though last season, the Lady Tigers finished with a 4-15 record, they did get a win in the sectional tournament against Lincoln before falling to Robert C. Byrd in the section semifinals which could give a boost going into the year. The Elkins girls began their season with a low note with a loss on the road to St. Albans (59-43). After that game the Lady Tigers were on a tear. They had won five straight contests in convincing fashion against Scott (62-36), Trinity Christian (65-47), Southern (MD) (51-28), Preston (54-30), and Liberty (42-23). They would play in a little invitational in late December. They would lose to Cameron (55-42) but redeem themselves with a win against East Hardy (49-34). They had finished 2022 with a 5-2 record. Then the 2023 portion of the season happened. The Lady Tigers would open 2023 with a four game losing streak with a mix of close losses and blowouts against Lincoln (60-58), North Marion (63-42), Fairmont Senior (43-37), and Martinsburg (44-38). They would get their first win of 2023 with a close win against Grafton (54-51). They would drop the next game, a close one to East Fairmont (47-42), but followed it up with two straight wins against Lewis County (53-49), and Bridgeport (43-33). Elkins would then end the regular season on a five game losing streak with losses against Tucker County (59-49), Phillip Barbour (56-38), Robert C. Byrd (65-33), Southern (MD) (70-58), and Buckhannon-Upshur (43-37). They would finish the regular season with a 9-12 record after going 4-9 in 2023.
Elkins was given the #3 seed in the Region 2, Section 2 bracket after going 1-2 against region opponents. Their tournament run ended not too long after it began after losing to Lincoln (67-60) in their opening matchup. The Lady Tigers finished the season with an overall record of 9-13. This season could be described as having so much potential in the beginning but just to watch it fall apart at the end. The Lady Tigers will lose only three seniors in Davis, Lane and Ricotelli.
This season had the storyline of unfinished business. After having a dominant season they finished 21-4 but one win short of Charleston after falling to Grafton in the Region 2 Co-Championship game against Grafton. The season didn’t start the greatest after a home loss to Chapmanville (52-40). They would get back on track by winning three straight against Preston (75-47), Liberty (72-43), and Tucker County (54-46). Elkins would finish 2022 by participating in the Governor’s challenge in Maryland. They would lose to Wicomico (71-61) but would get a bounce back win against head coach Rayfield alma mater in Crisfield (59-26). Elkins would finish the 2022 section of the season with a 4-2 record. Elkins would open up 2023 with a win against Lincoln (52-42). They would drop their next game against North Marion (51-39), then follow that game up with a win against Hampshire (68-39) before suffering a blowout loss to Fairmont Senior (74-39). Elkins would clinch their second straight regular season regional title with a win against Robert C. Byrd (70-59). They would also get their revenge from the last season by getting a win against Grafton (64-47). Elkins would lose a close game at home against East Fairmont (55-47). They would get a last second win in their next game against Lewis County (60-59). The Tigers would go on a two game skid against Bridgeport (53-39) and rival Philip Barbour (82-67). They would follow it up with two straight wins against Buckhannon-Upshur (61-57), and county rival Tygarts Valley (63-44). That would be followed with another two game skid with losses against Mussleman (49-37), and University (65-43). Elkins would end the regular season after another two game win streak against Charleston Catholic (53-41), and Brooke (64-48). They would finish with a regular season record of 13-9 after going 9-7 in 2023.
Elkins was the #1 seed in the Region 2, Section 2 bracket and was pitted against Liberty in the opening round. Elkins would take that game with ease (60-40), allowing them to host the sectional title game against Lincoln. Elkins was in control throughout the game allowing Elkins to win (59-47), and to host another Section 2 Co-Championship game against East Fairmont. They would take the close win (58-55), clinching Elkins’ first appearance in the state tournament since 2000. They would be given the #6 seed and was scheduled against Ripley in the state quarterfinals. Elkins would get the shock win (60-49), giving them their first win in the state tournament since 1950. They had to take on Fairmont Senior for a spot in the state title. Elkins fought hard but couldn’t keep up with the eventual state champions as their season ended there (66-49). Elkins would finish the season with a 17-10 record. There would be times where the Tigers would be inconsistent but when they truly needed to get the job done, they were able to, which led to one of the most historic seasons in Tiger basketball in the 21st century. It’s going to be a new roster for the Tigers next season as Elkins loses nine seniors in Jackson, Miller, Harper, Watson, McCauley, O’Neil, Bragg, Baines, and Harlan.