Caleb Clarke

We just watched the best game I have seen in years between Ashland and Morgantown at the @WVSHOOTOUT. This was a fierce battle that it is honestly sad someone had to lose. From the opening tip, it felt different. Everyonewas buzzing all day about this one, and every possession carried weight. Morgantown jumped out early and smacked Ashland right on the mouth, racing out to a 21-13 first-quarter lead. They were sharp, confident, and attacking from every angle. Ashland took the hit, but they never quit. They stayed within reach, battling for every loose ball and every rebound, even as Morgantown held a 38-30 lead at the half. Then came the third quarter. Ashland went to work and turned up the defense on Morgantown. Passing lanes disappeared. Dribble drives were cut off. Every shot was contested. By the end of the third, it was a slim 52-46 lead for Morgantown, and everyone in the building could feel it shifting. The intensity was through the roof. The atmosphere was absolutely electric. The crowd was on edge and rocking after every big play. You could hear the gasps, the roars, the stomping of feet in the bleachers. This was high-level basketball at its rawest form. Down the stretch, Morgantown looked poised to take a hard-fought win in regulation. They executed. They hit tough shots. They answered runs. But Ashland would not die. With the clock winding down and the pressure at its peak, #3 Elijah Neel(@ElijahNeel10) drained a clutch three that sent the game into overtime. The place exploded. Overtime was just as intense. Big basket after big basket. Defensive stand after defensive stand. Bodies hitting the floor. Players digging deep. Again, Morgantown looked ready to close it. And again, Elijah rose up and buried another clutch triple, giving Ashland one more breath, one more chance. Double overtime. Those final 3 minutes felt like an eternity. No team willing to flinch. No one backing down. Every possession felt like it could decide everything. In the closing seconds, #1 Max Frey rained in a deep three to give Morgantown a 1-point lead. Ice in his veins. Ashland answered right back. It came down to free throws that gave Morgantown the lead again. Ashland had two chances to steal it at the end but could not convert. Morgantown stood tall and escaped with an unforgettable 89-88 win. Max Frey was a one-man wrecking crew. He finished with 34 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal while going 2-3 from three. Strong with nasty handles and the speed to get to any spot he wanted, he controlled the tempo and delivered when the moment demanded it most. Waylon Colistra( @WaylonColistra ) was steady and punishing, adding 22 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block. He owned the midrange and scored with authority on the block, especially cleaning up off rebounds. #5 Collin Ridgeway added 15 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals, orchestrating offense and defending with grit. Ashland was just as relentless. Elijah Neel delivered a monster stat sheet stuffer with 27 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks. He did everything. Scored at all three levels, created for others, defended, and hit the biggest shots of the night to extend the game not once but twice. #32 Caleb Clark was a beast inside, attacking off the bounce with nasty finishes at the rim and scoring strong on the block. He finished with 22 points, 10 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block, battling through contact all night. #12 Drew Smith added 18 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal, stepping up in key moments and hitting big shots to keep Ashland within striking distance. This was not just a game. It was drama. It was toughness. It was heart on full display. The gym was alive from start to finish, and every player on that floor left a piece of themselves out there. Morgantown walks away with an 89-88 double overtime win, but both teams earned respect in a game that will be talked about for years. @DDSportsNetwork @OllyReedSports