The #1 seed Martinsburg Bulldogs have brought another state championship to Berkely County, this time in the boys basketball variety, as they beat the #2 seeded Woodrow Wilson Flying Eagles 57-52 at the Civic Center in Charleston, WV. The Bulldogs now become the first team ever to win the Class AAA football and basketball championships in the same year.
Martinsburg got out to a quick run early as they had a big lead 17-9 lead after the first quarter of play. In the second quarter Beckley outscored Martinsburg 14-13, which made the halftime score 30-23 in favor of the Bulldogs.
The second half is where it got interesting. In the third Martinsburg’s Donte Grantham made a jumper with 3:52 remaining. That would be the last field goal Martinsburg made until Jalen Lewis got a layup to go with 0:52 left in the fourth quarter.
In that time span Woodrow Wilson went on a 13-0 run from 3:00 in the third to 4:07 to play in the fourth quarter. With 55 seconds left in the contest the Flying Eagles committed a costly turnover, which led to the Jalen Lewis layup, which brought the score to 54-49 Bulldogs.
Martinsburg’s David Long was then fouled with 19 seconds to go and made one of two to make it a six point game. Beckley’s Andrew Johnson responded by hitting a three pointer to bring the Martinsburg lead back to three. Grantham was fouled on the inbounds pass, and that iced that game.
The Bulldogs’ Donte Grantham was the leading scorer and rebounder, with 20 points and 17 boards. Beckley’s Andrew Johnson was impressive as well as he picked up 19 points and four dimes.
It was a tough fought ball game by both sides, but in the end the Bulldogs quickness and rebounding is what brought the West Virginia Class AAA Championship back to Martinsburg.
