Zade Rash

Congrats @LUKE_ANDERSON26 @ferris_braydun @Zade33Rash @EliPatton2027 @Isaac_Hodges_ Well done! All the hard work paying off! @OllyReedSports @BracketSportz1 @BlueChipsGlobal @DDSportsNetwork

Tug Valley is right back where they belong, and they didn’t sneak in quietly either… they stormed their way into the state championship like the scrappiest team in West Virginia always does, leaving no doubt that the mission is still alive. From the opening tip, the Panthers came out firing on all cylinders, jumping out to a quick 10-2 lead and forcing Tucker County into an early timeout. That early punch set the tone, but Tucker wasn’t folding, responding with a 6-0 run sparked by a technical foul to make it a fight. From there, it turned into a back-and-forth battle until Braydun “The Chef” Ferris (@ferris_braydun ) delivered a moment that shifted everything, driving and kicking it to Zade “Skillz” Rash (@Zade33Rash ) in the corner, who rained in a buzzer-beating three to send Tug Valley into the locker room up 7 with all the momentum. That’s when Tug Valley did what Tug Valley does… they turned defense into chaos. Coming out of the half, the Panthers cranked up the pressure, forcing 13 turnovers that turned into 17 points, stretching the lead to 12 by the end of the third. Every loose ball, every passing lane, every possession felt like it belonged to them. In the fourth, it was control. Pure control. They extended the lead to 16, and that’s when Coach Rabbit Thompson flashed that signature 4 out signal. With five skilled guards on the floor, Tug Valley turned the game into a clinic, spreading the floor and playing keep away the final 4 minutes with surgical precision. No panic, no mistakes, just execution. At the center of it all was Braydun “The Chef” Ferris, who controlled the game from start to finish, cookin' up 26 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists while hitting big shot after big shot. And in the final minute, he added another layer to his legacy, scoring his 2000th career point in a moment that felt just as big as the win itself. Zade “Skillz” Rash made his presence felt beyond that buzzer-beater, finishing with 9 points, 7 rebounds, and making plays all over the floor. Carson “Silent Assassin” Newsome delivered another steady performance with 9 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists, while Cameron “Lock Down” Slone added 7 points and 4 rebounds, bringing toughness on both ends. And then there’s Bryson “The Shot” Elia… the heart of this team. He controlled the paint at 5’10, finishing with 5 blocks, 3 rebounds, 3 points, 1 steal, and countless altered shots that don’t show up in the stat sheet. That’s not just toughness… that’s something deeper. Now Tug Valley is headed back to the state championship, one win away from completing the 3-peat. And the way they’re playing right now… they don’t look like a team that’s ready to let that slip away. @DDSportsNetwork @BlueChipsNation @OllyReedSports @BracketSportz1

The 3peat is complete, and Tug Valley didn’t just win another title; they took it with grit, toughness, and a fire that never cooled. Walking in as the No. 2 team in the state with history on the line against No. 1 Greater Beckley Christian, this one carried weight from the opening tip. Beckley came out swinging and jumped to a 10-2 lead, forcing Tug Valley into an early timeout. But that moment didn’t break them; it woke them up. Out of the break, Tug Valley turned up the pressure and closed the gap to 13-11 by the end of the first, even after a waved-off bucket that would have tied it. You could feel the shift coming. And right in the middle of it all was senior leader Braydun Ferris (@ferris_braydun), setting the tone with his energy, his edge, and his refusal to let this moment slip away. From there, Tug Valley took control. They grabbed the lead before halftime and never gave it back. Defense tightened, the pace shifted, and every possession started leaning Tug Valley’s way. This is what they do. Make it tough, uncomfortable, and make it theirs. The numbers back it up. Ferris, the Most Outstanding Player of the game, had a dominant performance with 30 points on 10-21 shooting, along with 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 6 steals. He was everywhere. Scoring through contact, creating off the bounce, picking pockets on defense, and answering every moment Beckley tried to build. There was simply no containing him. Carson Newsome, an All-Tournament Team selection, added 12 points and 6 rebounds, bringing strength inside and coming through with key baskets when Tug needed them most. Zade Rash(@Zade33Rash), also an All-Tournament Team selection, added 5 points, including a big three, while impacting the game with his presence, spacing, and defensive grit. Cameron Slone added 9 points and 6 rebounds, battling in the paint and doing the little things that win big games. Off the bench, Preston May gave Tug Valley a strong lift with 6 points and 6 rebounds, adding toughness and energy in key stretches. This was a full team effort built on defense, effort, and staying connected. Tug Valley forced turnovers, controlled the flow, and made sure every possession mattered. That identity carried them all season, and it showed up when it mattered most. Final score: 64-54. Three straight state titles. History made. And leading the charge, Braydun Ferris didn’t just play in this moment; he owned it. *Photo credited to: Paul Adkins of The Mingo Messenger @OllyReedSports @BlueChipsNation @BracketSportz1

When you see these young stars step on the court, it's going to long night! Leaders of the scrappiest team in WV. Congrats to heading back to state. @ferris_braydun @Zade33Rash

Blue Collar Brilliance: On senior night, Zade Rash(@Zade33Rash ) delivered a complete stat-sheet stuffer, powering his team from start to finish, pouring in 17 points while adding 7 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals in a performance that checked every box and helped fuel the runaway win. A true three-level scorer, Zade flashed his smooth touch from deep, stepping into perimeter shots with confidence, attacking the mid-range with control, and finishing at the rim, forcing the defense to pick its poison possession after possession. When they closed out too hard, he calmly put it on the floor and made the right play. When help rotated, he delivered sharp passes that led directly to clean scoring opportunities, facilitating offense with poise and awareness like a true playmaker. What made the night even more impressive was the blue-collar work that strengthened every possession. He battled inside, secured tough boards in traffic, disrupted passing lanes, and stayed locked in defensively with a relentless motor that never dipped. He embraced the physical moments, made the hustle plays, and gave his team the extra edge that turns a good performance into a commanding one. His impact was undeniable because it showed up in every phase of the game, lifting teammates, sustaining momentum, and helping his squad steadily create separation. Senior night is about honoring the journey, and Zade did it with skill, grit, and a presence that could be felt long before the final horn sounded. @DDSportsNetwork @BlueChipsNation @OllyReedSports @BracketSportz1

Zade Rash(@Zade33Rash ) just etched his name into Tug Valley history, crossing into the 1000-point club with the same edge, toughness, and relentless drive that have defined his career. This was not a milestone handed out under bright lights. It was earned possession by possession, rep by rep, hour after hour in empty gyms when no one was watching. Now the record books reflect what those who follow him have known for years. Zade is the definition of a stat sheet stuffer. He averages 15.6 points, 3.4 assists, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.3 steals per game, numbers that only begin to tell the story. His high IQ allows him to read the floor two steps ahead, dissecting defenses and taking what they give him. If they crowd him, he attacks. If they sag, he rises and fires. If they overcommit, he delivers a dime right on time. On the defensive end, he is just as dangerous, jumping passing lanes, applying pressure, and turning steals into instant offense. What separates him is the nonstop motor. There are no plays off in his game. Every possession matters. He rebounds in traffic, defends with pride, and competes with a fire that fuels into Tug Valley’s identity. He does not just score. He impacts winning in every way. Reaching 1000 career points is a testament to consistency, discipline, and hunger. But make no mistake, this story is far from finished. It is tournament time, and Zade is built for this stage. When the pace gets tight, the possessions become more valuable, and the pressure rises, that is when high-IQ guards with relentless engines shine the brightest. The milestone is special. The banner moment is deserved. But this postseason stretch feels like the next chapter, not the finale. Zade Rash has reached 1000 points, and the way he is wired, he is just getting started. @DDSportsNetwork @BracketSportz1 @OllyReedSports @BlueChipsNation