WILLIAMSON, W.Va - A 16 to 5 first quarter, punctuated by Brandon Burgraff’s 4 three pointers in the period, gave Matewan a lead they would never surrender in this clash of sectional and county rivals held last night at the Williamson Fieldhouse.

Led by All-State Candidate Brandon Burgraff’s 29 points and a game marred for the ‘Pack by 16 turnover’s on errant passes and early first quarter steals, Matewan came out with a 58 to 43 win over Williamson,

Playing without starter Colton Copley, Matewan got big performances by Burgraff and by center Matt Kennedy who dominated the boards with 16 rebounds. to go with 15 points.

The game started out with the Wolfpack appearing a little out of sync, turning the ball over several times and making a few poor shots while Matewan raced to an early 1st quarter lead. Burgraff was hot from the outset hitting his first four shots of the evening, all three pointers, within the first six minutes of play.

“I told Brandon before the game that with a starter out, he was really going to have to step up to the plate and have a big game for us tonight.” said Matewan mentor Phillip Mitchell. “He apparently listened because he had a really big night for us.”

The second quarter was much better for the Wolfpack who, not giving any appearances whatsoever of giving in to the deficit on the scoreboard, came roaring back into the ball game. The ‘Pack settled down, reduced their turnovers and started demonstrating much better ball-handling than they had in the first period. Led by seniors Alex Anderson and Michael Davidson, sophomore Chris Hatcher and freshman Nick Lee, the Wolfpack roared back into the game matching Matewan point for point in the second period 12 to 12. At one point in the frame, Williamson had narrowed the lead to six points.

“We settled down and our ballhandling got a lot better” said Williamson’s veteran coach Curt Fletcher. “Plus, our gus started hitting a few shots and a lot of times when that happens. it can provide a little inspiration to do better.”