Shanna Rose | WV Sports Chat
CHARLESTON, W. Va.-Best Virginia’s magical run in TBT came to an end on Thursday with a 85-77 loss to Eberlein Drive at the Charleston Coliseum.
Gabe York, a former Arizona standout and G League sharpshooter, led Eberlein Drive with 25 points on 7-13 shooting, eight of those points coming in the Elam Ending.
Despite being dominated on the boards, Best Virginia fought hard.
Early on Eberlein Drive went on a 12-4 run thanks to York and Terry Taylor. The duo drained 3s and gave Eberlein Drive a 21-12 lead. However, Best Virginia battled back and Tobi Okani hit a shot from beyond the arc and Isaiah Sanders drained a 3-pointer from the corner to cut the deficit to 21-18 at the end of the first quarter.
Best Virginia continued to fight and Okani hit a 3-pointer from the wing to make it a 40-37 contest at the half.
In the second half, the two teams traded shots before Eberlein Drive went on a 7-0 run to take a 64-58 lead.
Notre Dame alum Will Vorhees stepped in and ended Eberlein Drive’s run when he completed the conventional three-point play, pulling Best Virginia within 64-61 at the end of the third quarter.
Eberlein Drive pushed its lead to seven as the Elam Ending drew near but Best Virginia continued its gutsy performance and pulled within two at 77-75.
In the Elam Ending, York took control. His jumper gave Eberlein Drive a 79-75 lead.
After James Reese V scored the lone Best Virginia basket, York responded with a triple.
JD Weatherspoon missed two free throws before York hit another three to send Eberlein Drive into the championship.
Reese led the way with 15 points, while Okani chipped in 14. Vorhees and West each added 10 in a balanced scoring effort.
“It was a great journey,” Best Virginia head coach Jarrod West said. “Anytime you get a chance to get the juices flowing, compete and try to win a tournament, it’s great. The biggest thing I’ll take away is having 10 great guys in that locker room, building relationships with guys that are becoming fathers and husbands, and hopefully they see something with how I carry myself to be part of their life moving forward. I wish I wasn’t so competitive. Win or go home was the mentality. It’s championship or bust. That’s the mentality we’ve always had.”
Best Virginia, a West Virginia alumni team, reached the TBT semifinals for the first time in program history.
Despite the loss, Best Virginia proved they belong among TBT’s elite. As for Eberlein Drive, they’ll face the winner of Aftershocks vs. We Are D3 in Sunday’s championship game. Tipoff is slated for 4 p.m. (ET).
Photo Credit: TBT
