PHILLIPI — The Preston Knights continued to show how much they’ve improved this year as they went to Phillipi on Thursday and enjoyed a dominant 78-56 victory over the Philip Barbour Colts.
Four different Knights scored in double figures, and they were led by junior Easton Hayes who poured in 24 points to go with nine rebounds and five steals. Tristian Smith followed with 14 points and seven boards, Kash Jenkins cashed in 12 points and Kaden Bachtel logged 11 points while dishing out a team-high eight assists.
The result pushed the Knights’ record to 7-4, meaning they’ve now already matched last year’s win total. It is also now just the third time Preston has reached the seven-win mark since after the 2014-15 season, joining last year’s 7-16 squad and the 2019-20 season that also ended with a 7-16 record.
If Preston gets one more win, it will be the most in a single season for the program since that 2014-15 campaign which saw the team end with a 17-7 record.
Preston hosted the Fairmont Senior Polar Bears (8-2) on Monday evening. Results from that game will be featured in Thursday’s edition.
The Knights return to the floor at 7:30 p.m. tonight when they host the Liberty Mountaineers (6-5).
CLARKSBURG — The Preston Lady Knights are finding their stride at the right time as they overcame a sluggish shooting performance to defeat the Robert C. Byrd Flying Eagles, 42-32, on the road this past Wednesday.
Preston has now won four in a row, improving its record to 5-8.
The Knights never trailed and was only tied 8-8 early in the game. They led 11-8 at the end of the first and 24-14 at the half before taking a 31-23 advantage into the final frame.
Bella Miller drained five threes (her third straight game achieving this feat) and finished with 19 points and four rebounds. Kendra Nazelrod logged eight points and eight rebounds to go with three blocks; and Ava Bishop had five points, eight boards, five assists and arguably the biggest shot in the game when she hit a three to put the Knights up seven with just over a minute to play.
The Knights shot just 26% from the field, making it the first time they won a game while shooting below 40%.
Preston will head back to Clarksburg to battle the Liberty Mountaineers (1-11) at 6 p.m. this evening.
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