Kyle Lovern/WDN

Mingo Central center Jason West is shown driving the baseline for a shot against River View Wednesday night at the Williamson Fieldhouse. West scored 10 points in the contest. Coach Brad Napier played 15 players in the contest. The Miners head to Tug Valley tonight to take on the No. 2 ranked Panthers in Naugatuck.

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Kyle Lovern

Sports Editor

WEST END - It was a senior dominated night for Mingo Central Wednesday night at the Williamson Fieldhouse. Miner’s coach Brad Napier started some seniors who normally come off the bench as his team defeated River View 74-48.

The makeup game, which had been postponed because of inclement weather, was played at the Williamson Fieldhouse because the Mingo County middle school tournament is being held at the MCHS gym.

Getting his first start, senior Jason West scored 10 points for the Miners. Napier played 15 players, including five freshmen in the contest.

Senior all-state candidate Austin Banks led Mingo Central with 16 points, six steals and five assists. Marqus Cunningham, a 6-6 senior center, had eight points and eight rebounds in limited playing time.

Trevor Cline came off the bench to score six, while junior wing Julius Hatcher also scored six. Cline also pulled down seven rebounds. Matt Lester and Stevie Hammond each chipped in five.

Junior Alex Lee only had three, but had an impressive slam dunk and was fouled on the play and completed the 3-point play. Dalton Hatfield swished in a 3-pointer, while Zack Barker and Mallie May each scored two points. May and Hammond each dished out three assists.

“Some of these seniors deserved to start a game,” Napier said. “They have worked hard all season. I wanted to reward them for their effort.”

“It helps develop our bench. We are playing four games in five days, so we need the depth, especially heading into the tournament,” Napier added.

“I was happy with the way Jason (West) played and Trevor (Cline) had a good game,” said Napier. “All the seniors played well. Alex’s dunk was impressive and it gave the team a boost and a little excitement.”

MCHS led 13-10 after one quarter and 33-21 at the half. The Miners turned up the intensity in the third quarter and padded their lead to 55-34. Napier subbed several players in and out of the game in the final quarter.

Mingo Central travels to Naugatuck tonight for a rematch with county rival Tug Valley. The Miners have not beaten the Panthers since the school was consolidated. Mingo travels to Mt. View Saturday night for another make-up game. Next week they have two big Cardinal Conference games with Chapmanville and Scott.

Score by quarters:

RV …. 10 11 13 14 - 48

MC …. 13 20 22 19 - 74

Scoring:

Mingo (8-7) - Banks 16, Lester 5, Hatcher 6, Cunningham 8, Lee 3, May 2, West 10, Simpkins 6, Barker 2, Hammond 5, Cline 8, D. Hatfield 8, Joplin 0.

River View (2-13) - Clevenger 4, Dehaven 10, J. Baker 6, T. Baker 7, Morgan 6, Collins 0, McClanahan 4, Wilson 2, Roberts 6, Coeburn 3.