Even though the Philip Barbour Colts have not done well against the Buckhannon-Upshur Buccaneers recently (they were 2-7 in their previous nine matchups), they didn't let the past get in their way on Tuesday. Philip Barbour enjoyed a cozy 59-40 victory over the Buccaneers. Given Philip Barbour's advantage in MaxPreps' West Virginia basketball rankings (they are ranked 14th, while the Buccaneers are ranked 75th), the result wasn't entirely unexpected.
Philip Barbour's success was the result of a balanced attack that saw several players step up, but Arrington Sparks led the charge by scoring nine points along with eight steals and six assists. Sparks is crushing the steal category: she's posted at least four every time she's taken the court this season. Another player making a difference was Izzy Knotts, who almost dropped a double-double on nine points and 12 rebounds.
Buckhannon-Upshur's defeat came despite a true team effort from the offense, with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Alyssa Abel, who almost dropped a double-double on ten points and nine rebounds. Abel is on a roll when it comes to steals, as she's now grabbed two or more in the last three games she's played. The team also got some help courtesy of Casadie Lahman, who dropped a double-double on ten points and 13 rebounds.
Even though they lost, Buckhannon-Upshur were working as a unit and finished the game with 12 assists. This was only their eighth loss (out of ten games) when they've passed the ball that well.
The victory was the fourth in a row for Philip Barbour, bringing their record for this year to 13-2. As for Buckhannon-Upshur, they are on a five-game losing streak that has dropped them down to 2-11.
Both squads are looking forward to the support of their home crowds in their upcoming games. Philip Barbour will take on the Bees at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday. East Fairmont knows how to get points on the board -- the team has finished with flashy point totals in its past 15 contests -- so hopefully the Colts like a good challenge. As for Buckhannon-Upshur, their homestand continues as they prepare to take on the Indians at 7:30 p.m. on February 1st.
