McDERMOTT—Wheelersburg stayed mathematically alive for a chance at a share of the SOC II title with a 54-33 win Friday at Northwest.

The win comes four days after the Pirates fell to the Oaks, giving them their third conference loss.

"We were all a little bit down after the game against Oak Hill," said Wheelersburg sophomore forward Andy Stegman. "But today we came out and shot really well. We got a lot of touches and a lot of open shots. We were able to knock some 3s down."

Wheelersburg (13-5, 9-3) connected six times from beyond the arc, getting two each from Shane Ward and Tyler Craigmiles.

Behind Stegman's game-high 16 points, were eight each from Ward and Craigmiles, helping to key the Pirates' win.

"They stepped up and made shots," Wheelersburg head coach Tom Barrick said. "Tonight it was those two. The next game, it could be those two and it might be somebody else."

The Pirates started fast, jumping out to an 11-0 advantage in the game's first four minutes, and shooting 14-for-21 in the first half. The Pirates shot 56 percent on the contest and held Northwest to 29 percent from the field.

"All year, when we've made shots, we've been pretty good," Barrick said. "That was huge for us to be successful to get off to a good start and keep their crowd out of the game... We have to continue to play hard and everybody has to contribute."

The quick start and 32-13 halftime advantage for the Pirates prevented Northwest (5-10, 3-9) from re-creating the excitement the teams had at Wheelersburg Jan. 13.

In that 45-44 overtime loss, Northwest led Wheelersburg for much of the game, held Stegman to just five points and got a big night from junior forward Hank Leslie.

None of the three happened Friday night, as Wheelersburg's defense limited the junior's touches and held him to just one point in the first half and nine total.

"I think they were packing (the paint) a little tighter," Northwest head coach Rick Scarberry said. "We weren't moving the basketball like we did up there and we weren't hitting some of the outside shots we did. That was the key.

"When they're diving, backside helping and collapsing like that, we need to hit some outside shots," he added. "When they do that, there are open spaces and we just weren't able to get to those spots."

Eric Thompson found room to hit a pair of 3s en route to scoring eight, while Kenny Crabtree scored four with eight rebounds.

On the other side of the court, Stegman pulled down10 rebounds to lead the Pirates. He sat significant minutes, including the entire overtime session, the first time the teams met, but was glad to see more action Friday.

"It's not very fun getting into foul trouble," Stegman said. "I've gotten into some trouble with (fouls) this year. To come out and actually play the whole game today was a lot (more fun)."

With Oak Hill's victory over Minford, Wheelersburg will need a loss from the Oaks against West and two victories in its games next week to secure a share of the SOC II title.

Wheelersburg will play at South Webster Tuesday, and hosts Waverly next Friday.

The Mohawks play three contests next week, at North Adams Tuesday, against Minford Wednesday and against South Webster Friday.

With hopes of a conference title still existing and sectional tournament play 10 days away, Barrick continues to focus his team on the games, not the outcomes.

"Our guys have to play hard and continue to play with that much intensity," he said. "If they do that, the winning and losing will take care of itself."

CHRIS DUNHAM can be reached at chrisdunhamjr@aol.com.

Wheelersburg 16 16 10 12 — 54

Northwest 3 10 10 10 — 33

Wheelersburg—Schankweiler 2 0 4, Kemper 2 0 4, Miller 3 0 7, Ward 3 0 8, Stegman 7 2 16, Whitley 3 0 7, Craigmiles 3 0 8. Totals 23 2 54.

Northwest—Thompson 3 0 8, Kr. Crabtree 1 0 2, Leslie 3 3 9, Ke. Crabtree 2 0 4, Hall 2 1 6, Blankenship 1 0 2, Cotton 1 0 2. Totals 13 4 33.

3-pointers—Wheelersburg 6 (Craigmiles 2, Ward 2, Miller, Whitley); Northwest 3 (Hall, Thompson 2).

Records—Wheelersburg 13-5 (9-3), Northwest 5-10 (3-8)