Chapmanville Secures Class AAA Basketball Title in Thrilling Matchup Against North Marion

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The Chapmanville Regional Tigers emerged victorious in a hard-fought battle against the North Marion Huskies, winning the Class AAA state basketball championship 71-67 on Saturday at the Charleston Coliseum. This marks the Tigers’ fourth state championship in the last nine seasons, solidifying their dominance in West Virginia high school basketball.^[2]

A Game of Grit and Second Chances

Chapmanville’s success this season and particularly in the championship game, was built on a foundation of relentless offensive rebounding and capitalizing on second-chance opportunities. Coach Brad Napier noted early in the season that if the team struggled with shooting, their ability to score off rebounds would be key.^[1] This strategy proved crucial against a determined North Marion squad.

Key Moments in the Championship Game

The game remained intensely competitive throughout, with both teams demonstrating high-level offensive execution. With Chapmanville leading by two points late in the fourth quarter, a missed free throw by Benji Adkins was followed by a crucial offensive rebound and a three-pointer from Jay Brock, extending the Tigers’ lead to five.^[1]

North Marion quickly responded with a three-pointer from Maddox Batson, narrowing the gap to two points. Another missed free throw by Adkins was redeemed by teammate Kati Martin, who secured the offensive rebound and scored, giving Chapmanville a 67-63 advantage with 1:44 remaining.^[1]

The Huskies battled back, closing the gap to one point, but a basket by Keaton Terry and a subsequent free throw sealed the victory for Chapmanville.^[1]

Player Performances

Keaton Terry led all scorers with 23 points and an impressive 19 rebounds, earning him the tournament’s Most Valuable Player award.^[2] Jay Brock contributed 20 points, including five three-pointers, while Benji Adkins and Kati Martin each added 11 points.^[1]

For North Marion, Maddox Batson led the way with 20 points, shooting 8-of-12 from the field and 4-of-4 from three-point range. Conner Balwanz added 17 points, Eli Ramsey scored 14, and Jacob Kucish contributed 12.^[1]

Coaches’ Reflections

“That was a war,” said Chapmanville coach Brad Napier. “I’m spent. I know these guys are spent. North Marion has a great team. They battle.”^[1]

North Marion coach Steve Harbert echoed Napier’s sentiments, stating, “That’s how a championship game should be. That was an absolute battle between two good teams. They just happened to come out on top.”^[1]

Statistical Overview

Chapmanville shot an impressive 61.3% from the field, making 29 of 47 attempts, and 24 of 34 from inside the arc.^[1] North Marion also had a strong shooting performance, with 26 field goals, including nine three-pointers, and committed only six turnovers.^[1]

Looking Ahead

With their fourth championship in nine years, Chapmanville Regional High School continues to establish itself as a powerhouse in West Virginia Class AAA basketball. The team’s commitment to rebounding, coupled with strong individual performances, proved to be the winning formula this season.^[2]