MORGANTOWN — When it comes to March vacation destinations, Wheeling isn’t typically at the top of anyone’s list. Unfortunately for University, it still has to make the trip.
Following a 57-56 loss to cross-town rival Morgantown in the Class AAA Region I Section 2 championship, the Hawks will have to travel to Wheeling Park on Tuesday for their regional final matchup.
“We knew coming into this game that we definitely didn’t want to go up there in a do-or-die situation,” junior guard Kaden Metheny said.
The last time University traveled to Wheeling Park was Jan. 15, when an 18-point third quarter from Keondre King powered the Patriots to a 78-68 victory. The loss was the first in-state blemish of the season for the Hawks — and until Friday, the only one thus far.
“We know we need to shut down King and [Alex] Vargo. If we can do that, we have a good chance,” Metheny said.
University split its regular-season series with the Patriots, torching Wheeling Park 70-5, at home in December. Next week’s rubber match will be the most important because the winner advances to Charleston for the state tournament.
“It was probably a good thing we lost up there earlier this year,” Hawks coach Joe Schmidle said. “Our kids understand that Wheeling Park is a very good team, and if we don’t show up to play, we’ll get beat.
“We were a completely different basketball team when we played up there in January. We weren’t a team. We were playing selfishly and we weren’t focused.”
Metheny shows skill in the clutch
Metheny is almost certainly not a reptile. It can’t be disputed, though, that he is cold-blooded on the hardwood.
After a 15-3 run to open the fourth quarter gave Morgantown a 50-43 lead with just over three minutes left to play, Metheny took matters into his own hands.
In less than a minute, Metheny drilled two unassisted 3-point baskets to cut the Mohigans’ lead to one.
On the ensuing possession, Metheny pickpocketed the ball and dished it to K.J. McClurg in transition, who converted the basket to put the Hawks back in
the lead.
“They made him mad. Big-time players step up in big-time games, and he’s a bi- time player. He got us right back in the game,” Schmidle said.
Metheny wasn’t happy with his overall performance, despite leading the Hawks with 22 points — highlighted by 13 in the final quarter.
“I thought I didn’t have the best game. I struggled,” he said. “But at the end, I knew we needed a bucket, so I just let it fly.”
