“They’re really good, we know that,” Wheeling Park head coach Michael Jebbia said. “They’ve been the best program in the state for the last four years. Their defense, their depth, their experience is unmatched. That’s the first thing, we knew we were outmanned a little bit. Unless something drastic happens, they’ll be playing on the final day of the season. Wish them the best.”

Friday’s game was the continuation of a superb stretch for Morgantown senior Marty Johnson. After helping the Mohigans to a come-from-behind victory over Steubenville for the OVAC 5A championship, and being named the Dominion Post’s Athlete of the Week, Johnson was once again a star for his team, leading them in scoring with 15 points.

“He’s playing great, he’s a no-brainer first team all-stater in my opinion,” Morgantown head coach Dave Tallman said. “Steubenville game, we were down, and he kind of took over the game. Does a great job facilitating to his teammates, defensively he is spectacular.”

On Friday, Wheeling Park found themselves in a deep hole early in the second quarter, but fought back to bring the game within single digits, getting scores from Kolten Whitmire, Jay Bordas, Josh Huffman, Sincere Saunders-Paige and JD Williams in the frame.

“I thought our guys showed a lot of fight in the second quarter after going down 25-6 we cut it down to nine or 10 in the second quarter, showing some life,” Jebbia said. “But you can only do so much when you’re going against them. Tough slate of games here as we played two No. 1 teams this week, but our kids are fighting.”

The Mohigans allowed only five points in the fourth quarter to expand their lead, an effort produced by stifling defense and rugged rebounding.

“I thought our defensive pressure was really good today,” Tallman said. “We have all the respect in the world for coach Jebbia and his program, and we knew we had to come out and really guard. I thought we did a good job of that.”

“We have really nice kids and I tell them, before the game you have to flip the switch and be a different person out on the floor. I thought they did a good job of that.”

Waylon Colistra followed Johnson with 14 points, while Max Frey scored 11 and Brady Savage scored 10.

Kolten Whitmire and JD Williams each scored nine to pace the Patriots.

Wheeling Park travels to Parkersburg on Tuesday. Morgantown travels to Parkersburg South on Monday.