Balanced Berkeley Springs defeats Clear Spring, 61-50

Three Indians scored in double figures and three more at least six points, leading Berkeley Springs to a 61-50 victory over Clear Spring on Wednesday, February 21 in Berkeley Springs.

"We really had some balanced scoring tonight," said Berkeley Springs coach Chad Brinegar. "Anytime you can get everyone involved in the offense it makes things really tough on opposing defenses. Tonight we were able to do that."

Nathan Sirbaugh and Robbie Williams each scored six points in the opening quarter, as the Indians built a 15-9 lead after the opening eight minutes of play.

The Tribe picked up the defensive intensity in the second quarter, holding the Blazers to only five points, as they built a 29-14 half-time lead. Jeremy Michael scored five points and LJ Wright in the second quarter to lead the Indians offensively.

After the half-time break, both teams heated up offensively, with Berkeley Springs extending their advantage to 19 points, 48-29. Williams had a big quarter for the Indians scoring eight points, while teammates Wright and Foster Sirbaugh added six and five points, respectively

The Blazers outscored Berkeley Springs 21-13 in the final eight minutes, but it was nearly enough as the Indians collected their 11th win of the year.

"I thought we played pretty well tonight," Brinegar said. "Clear Spring beat us earlier in the year, so it was nice to get a measure of revenge."

Williams led the Berkeley Springs offense with 16 points. Wright scored 12 points, Foster Sirbaugh 11, Nathan Sirbaugh nine, Sammy Trump seven and Jeremy Michael six to round out the offense.

Kyle Crist led Clear Spring with 18 points.

Two nights later, Hedgesville's smothering defense held Berkeley Springs to a mere seven first-half points, as they easily defeated visiting Berkeley Springs 52-27.

"Hedgesville has a good ball club," Brinegar said. "They play excellent team defense and are well coached."

The Eagles jumped out to a 16-5 lead after the opening quarter of action and then increased it to 26-7 at the half.

"When you play a team as good as Hedgesville you need your offense clicking on all cylinders and that just did not happen tonight," said Brinegar.

The Indians did manage more offense in the second half, but was not nearly enough as the Eagles soared to the easy 25-point victory.

Foster Sirbaugh led the Indians with 11 points, brother Nathan added three, Josh Wise, Williams, Lenny Roach, Wright, Sammy Trump and Ian Whibley two points each, while Michael rounded out the scoring with one point.

Michael Lopez led Hedgesville's balanced offense with 15 points.

The Indians, 11-11 on the year, will face Frankfort in the Region II, Section II championship game tomorrow, March 1 at Berkeley Springs High School. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.