DELBARTON, W.Va - In a game that started out looking as though it would be a Wolfpack rout with an 8 – 0 opening run, the Burch Bulldogs put together one of their best performances of the season as they regrouped to pull off a 54 to 40 defeat of the Wolfpack.

Williamson came into the game having won the two previous meetings between the two clubs this season and were attempting to pull off the coveted hat trick of sweeping the season series with their sectional rival. However, on this tempestuous, stormy night, the winds of victory did not blow the Wolfpack’s way.

After the early 8-0 lead, Burch Coach Kevin Hatfield switched from a press defense to a 2-3 zone and that immediately started putting his team back in the ball game. By the time the buzzer sounded to end the first frame, Burch had pulled ahead to a 13 to 8 lead.

About a minute into the third quarter with Burch leading 13 to 10, the game was halted for approximately 20 minutes when the Burch High gym lost power and the lights went out. Fortunately for both teams, Mingo County Schools Maintenance Director Hank Starr was in attendance and was able to see the power safely restored to allow the game to continue.

When play resumed, both teams settled into what looked to be a war of attrition as both teams stingily gave up points and the they matched each others scoring in the period 7 to 7 and that made the score at the half, Burch 20, Williamson 15.

Coming out of the half, both teams still played neck and neck with one another, with Burch denying Williamson it’s noted perimeter shooting and Williamson neutralizing to some extent the normal inside drives of Burch’s Jacob Stratton and Dave Hatfield. However, the Burch defense seemed to keep one step ahead of the ‘Pack, hitting the boards aggressively for rebounds all the while attempting to prevent Wolfpack center Chris Hatcher from hauling them in on the offensive end. The buzzer to end the third showed Burch ahead 34 to 25 after outscoring Williamson by four in the quarter.

The fourth quarter was an anomaly of sorts in that much of the scoring was done from the charity stripe. Burch’s Ryan Hatfield, who wound up leading all scorers with 19 points for the game, scored 12 of them in the fourth with 10 coming from the foul line. Overall Hatfield was 10 for 12 from the line in the period and 11 for 13 in the game.

Burch was 23 of 28 from the foul line for the game, while Williamson was 12 for 22 from the free throw arc. Chuckie White attempted to help the ‘Pack by hitting five of his total of 7 points in the fourth quarter. However, the damage was done as the Bulldogs led the rest of the way and won by the score of 54 to 40, a fourteen point deficit for Williamson.

Shooting form the charity stripe was very much a factor in the Bulldog win. Burch was 23 of 28 from the line and Williamson was only 12 of 22 from the free throw line.

Williamson Coach Curt Fletcher was not very happy with his team’s performance on this night. “Not to take anything away from Burch because they played well tonight. But we didn’t do any of the things we needed to well tonight - not shooting, not rebounding, turning it over - we just didn't play well. “

Burch Coach Kevin Hatfield said he chalked the win up to his young team getting better. “We have more experience under our belt than when we played them earlier. That was the difference.” Hatfield said. “I’ve said all along that I thought once we got some experience under our belt that we could beat anybody on our schedule and I think you’re seeing that now.”

Next up for Williamson is Sheldon Clark next Monday.

Burch meanwhile, travels to Matewan Friday night to take on the top ten ranked Tigers. And Coach Hatfield was very confident about his teams’s chances. “They’re a good team - don’t get me wrong. But they’re not 26 -4 good.”Hatfield commented.”Again, we’ve got more experience now so I think we can go in and do well if we play as well as we did tonight.”

Scoring by quarters:

Williamson 18 7 10 15 -- - 40

Burch 13 7 14 20 -- - 52

Scoring by team:

Williamson: Alex Anderson 8, Nick Lee 8, Chuckie White 7, Chirs Hatcher 6, Jarrid McCormick 6, Nick Turner 4, Bobby Hurley 1.

Burch: Ryan Hatfield 19, Keith Hill 12, Zac runyon 9, Jacob Stratton 6, corey Cook 3, Dave Hatfield 3, Cody Crum 2.