CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - Devonti Birch netted 10 of his game-high 19 points in the fourth quarter to lead Robert C. Byrd to a 65-34 win over East Fairmont in the boy’s Class AA quarterfinals Wednesday. East Fairmont led only once in the game 2-0, after a basket by Myles Johnson on the opening tip.
Birch paced the Flying Eagles in the first quarter as he orchestrated an 11-2 run. Robert C. Byrd pushed the lead to 17-3 before East Fairmont would take advantage of Justin Noble’s second personal foul in the first quarter that seemingly allowed the offense to move.
Nicholas Greely dumped in 5 points in the quarter as the Bees cut the lead to 19-11 after one. Philip Vincent cut the lead to 19-17 early in the second quarter before Robert C. Byrd pushed the lead back to eight at the break.
Luke Dyer heated up in the third quarter scoring 11 of his 17 points in the quarter that pushed the lead back to 14 points after three quarters. Robert C. Byrd held East Fairmont scoreless for all but 2 seconds of the fourth quarter after a 3-point basket by Ryan Wanstreet ended the shutout and the Flying Eagles closed the contest with a 20-3 quarter.
Johnson and Greely added 9 points each in the loss. Top-seeded Robert C. Byrd (22-0) dominated the paint as it outscored eighth-seeded East Fairmont (11-14) 34-18 including 23 second-chance points.
Robert C. Byrd will face the winner of Westside and Bridgeport in the semifinals Friday. Robert C. Byrd was eliminated in the semifinals last season.
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