BUCKHANNON -Robert L. Bland captured the title over the weekend in the Buckhannon-Upshur Middle School "Week 51" Basketball Tournament. The Patriots defeated Bridgeport 33-28 in the final.
Six teams participated in the event, with each getting two games in divisional play plus a single elimination playoff at the end. The tourney also featured Taylor County, Washington-Irving, and West Fairmont.
Robert L. Bland defeated won both of their games in divisional play, defeating West Fairmont 37-29 and Wahsington-Irving 49-25. After receiving a first round playoff bye, the Patriots defeated Taylor County 52-31 in the semifinals, setting up the tight final with the Warriors.
Thomas Hogan led Bland with 52 points in the tourney, including 13 in the decisive final. Jaret Mullooly scored 46 points over the four games, including a 20-point outburst in the semifinal win over Taylor County. Nate Frazier was consistent with 41 total points, and scored 10 in the championship game.
Buckhannon-Upshur was led in scoring by Tristan Fulton who scored 20 points in the tournament. He was followed by Brennan Frye with 15 and Sam Cutright with 13. B-U lost twice in divisional play, falling to Taylor County 36-33, and to Bridgeport 55-19. In the first round of the playoffs, West Fairmont ended the B-U event by a score of 53-27.
