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By Gaylen Duskey
realfang@citlink.net
There really is no such thing as a moral victory.
Its just a loss that wasn't as bad as expected or something like that.
Its sort of like boxing Muhammad Ali (in his prime) and living.
But there are losses that are good for morale.
Such was the case Thursday night when Calhoun fell to Doddridge 51-44 in the LKC ninth-place play-in game. The loss, while still a loss dropping the Red Devils to 8-12, was not near as bad as the lackluster 71-43 beating the Red Devils took at the hands of these same Bulldogs the night before.
The game was actually closer than the seven-point final spread as Doddridge sophomore Drew Lett scored four of his game high 18 points in the final half minute including a basket at the buzzer.
Calhoun had its chances to win despite playing a man short as senior Mason Sheldon was unable to play and playing back-to-back road games at West Union. But it was unable to come up with combination at the right time after the Bulldogs took the lead midway through the fourth quarter.
Calhoun found itself in a deep hole after falling behind 16-7 at the end of the first quarter. But unlike Wednesday night it battled back and closed the gap to six, 27-21, at halftime.
The Red Devils continued to battle from behind and by the end of the third quarter were on top 36-35. But here the weariness of the trip or playing a man short caught up with the Red Devils and Doddridge took advantage and slipped away with thr win.
Lett's 18 were a game high and he was backed by Ashton Heinzman with 17 while Tim Shepherd and Brandon Smith chipped in with six each and Jesse Lackey added four.
For Calhoun Tyler Gerwig led the way with 15 while Ryan Slider, who did not score in the first half, added 10. Sam Brady added eight while Tyler Sims added seven and Ethyn Miller four. Lucas Wilson and Cody Starcher both played but did not score.
The junior varsity game was also a close affair with Doddridge getting away with a 39-34 victory.
Doddridge took advantage of six first half three-point goals to take a 25-19 lead and was able to hold Calhoun off in the second half.
For the Red Devils Dylan Heiney led the way with 11 while Austin Gribble added eight. Luke Sheldon was next with seven as Dakota jarvis had three, Zack Yanero and Jerry Jones two each and Riley Cain one. Nick Watkins, Christopher Kirkland, Austin Hicks and Chris Thornton all played but did not score.
Doddridge did not have a player in double figures. Beck Rock led the way with nine points and seven other players added three or more.
Calhoun returns to action Saturday in a recently added game at Webster County. There is no junior varsity game.
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