By JORDAN ELLISON
for the Daily Telegraph
GARDNER — The PikeView Panthers (4-0) held off the Bluefield Beavers (3-3) in the fourth quarter to take the 61-55 victory on Tuesday night at PikeView High School.
PikeView defeated Bluefield behind a strong effort from senior Tyler Ruble who had 19 points and 15 rebounds in the contest. Ten of Ruble's 15 rebounds came in the first half of the contest.
In the first quarter, Bluefield started off strong by running out to a 7-3 lead early on. PikeView seemed to settle down following a strong defensive possession where Seth Meadows took a charge with 4:22 to go in the quarter, but PikeView would still find themselves down 16-11 at the end of the quarter.
PikeView came out in the second quarter and proceed to go on a 15-2 run to go up 26-18. The run was highlighted by three Jason Weitzel 3-pointers and six points by Ruble. Bluefield would fight back though closing out the half on a 9-3 run gut still trailed PikeView 29-27 at the half.
“That run was tremendous,” said PikeView head coach Colton Thompson. “Weitzel is one of those kids that I have seen him play enough, once he hits that first no-question pull up three and has no hesitation then the buckets an ocean for him and they are going to keep falling.”
The third quarter saw some back and forth action between the two teams. Bluefield was able to tie the game at 37 apiece with 2:28 to go in the quarter. The Beavers looked poised to take the lead seconds later, when Jordan Ponder drove through the lane, but it would be another Meadows charge that kept the game tied.
PikeView would hold a one point lead at 41-40 at the end of the quarter.
Bluefield would take the lead in the ball game 42-41 just 20 seconds into the fourth quarter. They were able to stretch the lead out to 44-41 but fouled PikeView's Hunter Hill on a 3-point attempt with 6:46 to go in the quarter. Hill would make 2 of 3 free throws to pull the Panthers to within one.
The two teams would trade the lead back and forth for a couple of possessions before Seth Wood put PikeView up for good 47-46 with a pair of free throws. The two teams traded baskets and free throws throughout the rest of the quarter but it was PikeView who would emerge with the 61-55 victory.
“We had our chances, I think we missed 12 to 14 layups inside,” Bluefield head coach Buster Large said. “But you have to give them credit they were the better team tonight. We are going to go back and work harder, it's a long season before tonight.
“They had the momentum tonight, they seemed to make the all the plays when they needed to. When we were up four in the fourth quarter, we didn't capitalize and when you do it against a good team it will come back to haunt you at the end of the night.”
In addition to Ruble's big night, PikeView was also led by Weitzel, who finished with 14 points that included a total of four 3-pointers. Seth Meadows also added 12 points and had three assists.
“Tyler Ruble was tremendous,” said Thompson. “We have preached to him that we play great defense and pull those rebounds and Tyler has completely bought into that. I couldn't have asked anymore of him tonight.”
Bluefield was led by Jeremy Thompson, who had a game high 20 points and eight rebounds. Jordan Ponder had 15 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Donta Hopkins added 14 points and three rebounds.
“I was really proud of my team, I feel like it was a big step for this group,” said Coach Thompson. “In the Wyoming East Game we jumped out early and took control, we just had to hold them off from making a run to cut the deficit too much.
“This game was hard fought, Bluefield is physical and they never quit. They kept pushing and attacking on the boards. So I think it was a big step for us to have to fight through that whole 32 minutes of difficult, physically, mentally draining basketball.
“We needed to test ourselves to survive that last run and knock down free throws when we had to, to seal that win.”
PikeView will travel next to Greenbrier East to take on Mingo Central in the Greenbrier East Christmas Tournament on Friday. Bluefield will play at home on the 29th as they take part in the Bluefield Beaver Classic.

At PikeView High School
BLUEFIELD (3-3)
Donta Hopkins 14, Jeremy Thompson 20, LAtrell Collier 1, Jordan Ponder 15, Corey Coppola 5.
PIKEVIEW (4-0)
Seth Wood 9, Seth Meadows 12, Hunter Hill 5, Tyler Ruble 19, Jason Weitzel 14, Wayne Brockman 2.
Bluefield…..............……16 11 13 15 — 55
PikeView……..................11 18 12 20 — 61
3-Point Field Goals: Bluefield 3 (Jeremy Thompson 3); PikeView 4 (Jason Weitzel 4).