SHOOTING FOR THE STARS — Zach Perkey shoots over Magnolia’s Jared Blatt during the Tuesday’s game in New Martinsville.

The Tyler Consolidated boys basketball season ended against a familiar opponent in a familiar setting.

The Silver Knights traveled to New Martinsville last Tuesday, March 3, for a sectional semifinal showdown against Magnolia.

In their last matchup, the Silver Knights gave the Big Blue everything they could handle before the Wetzel County school pulled away in the fourth quarter.

During the first quarter, it appeared that Tyler Consolidated came in with the same upset-minded attitude.

The Silver Knights big men Zach Perkey and Zack Minger made sure to bring their A-game providing some key shots for an early lead which lasted most of the first quarter.

Tyler Consolidated looked to remain in the game, but a 14-4 run by the Blue Eagles pushed the score to 29-17 to take control of the momentum largely impart to Jared Blatt’s eight points and Jordan Moore’s six points in the second quarter.

At the half, Magnolia’s advantage was almost the same at 35-24. The trio of Matt Sapp, Blatt, and Moore scored 28 of the 35 Blue Eagle points, with Sapp hitting a trio of three pointers, Blatt netting 13 and Moore scoring six markers to lead the Eagles offensively.

The second half started out with a bang for both teams as both offenses lit up the scoreboard.

Minger made his presence known again with a nine-point period on four baskets. Dustin Snider, Cory Lowe, and Perkey shared 11 points to round out the 20-point third quarter.

The problem was stopping Blatt. The junior seemingly answered every field goal with one of his own, scoring 14 points with two coming via foul shots. Magnolia’s depth became apparent as five other players combined for 13 other points.

In the fourth, the Silver Knights offense sputtered as Magnolia’s defense tightened up. The only basket came by way of Perkey before fouling out to end his impressive basketball career. He finished tied for the team-high of 15 points.

The Knights’ other senior Darren Oliver was able to mark the scoring column one final time with a foul shot in the final minutes.

Magnolia ended up netting 18 in the final quarter to win 80-49.

Minger also provided 15 points for the Silver Knights to share team-high honors. Snider scored nine points, Lowe added four, Boone Kehrer tallied three, and Alex Jones added two.

Blatt was the difference maker, pouring in 34 points, 10 rebounds and six blocks.

Magnolia moved on to the sectional championship where they were defeated by Weir, but still move on to a regional play-in game at Ravenswood against the Red Devils tonight.

For Tyler Consolidated, they lose the services of Zach Perkey and Darren Oliver to graduation, but have good things ahead with the young talent of Dustin Snider, Zack Minger, Cory Lowe, Aaron Estep, Alex Jones, Boone Kehrer, B.J. Eastham, Joseph Semple, and Zach Knowlton returning.