By KENT COULTAS
Blaine Vortman and Thrice Kirkpatrick both scored in double figures to lead West Central past Brown County 41-28 Jan. 4 in the championship game of the Virginia Eighth Grade Tournament.
West Central led 32-24 after three quarters and just 32-28 with 4:47 remaining in the game.
Thrice Kirkpatrick made a three-point basket and scored again off an assist from Emerson Little to increase the lead to 37-28. Vortman scored the final four points.
The score was tied 2-2 early in the game before West Central scored 11 straight points.
Daxton Littig scored the start the run. Kirkpatrick scored three points, Aydin Kessinger scored, and Littig capped off the run as the Cougars jumped out to a 13-2 lead. They led 16-6 after one quarter.
Brown County got within 20-14 in the second quarter. Vortman scored the last four points of the quarter, including a basket just before the buzzer, and West Central led 24-14 at halftime.
Vortman and Emerson Little were both named to the all-tournament team.
West Central led 30-17 in the third quarter before Brown County got within four points in the fourth.
Vortman scored 14 points and grabbed 16 rebounds to lead the Cougars. Kirkpatrick scored 11 points.
Littig and Jack Little each scored six points. Emerson Little scored two points and had four assists. Kessinger scored two points.
