OHSAA Boys Basketball District Quarterfinals
Friday, February 27, 2026
West Liberty-Salem 54, Carlisle 51
@ Bethel High School
In a thriller at Bethel High School, West Liberty-Salem, the #4 seed, edged #9 seed Carlisle 54–51 in the Southwest District 9 Quarterfinals on Friday night.
Sutton Wilcoxon delivered a postseason performance for the ages, burying the game-tying jumper from the elbow, calmly drilling the go-ahead three in the closing seconds, and then sealing the win with a perfectly timed steal on the final inbound.
It was a high-intensity, physical defensive battle from start to finish, the kind of tournament game that came down to toughness, poise, and one player rising to the moment at the buzzer.
The opening quarter was a back-and-forth affair, but West Liberty-Salem grabbed early momentum. Brothers Brandel and Beckett Sullivan each scored six points in the period, while Brevin Louden knocked down a three to give the Tigers a 15–9 lead after one.
The Tigers turned up the defensive pressure in the second quarter, using quick feet and active hands to slow Carlisle’s top scorers. Louden buried two more triples, and Brandel Sullivan added four points in the quarter as WL-S took a 27–18 advantage into halftime.
Carlisle came out firing in the third quarter, as Drew Conger and Kolby Morgerson each hit early threes to spark a 6–0 run. Later in the period, with the Tigers up 32–26, the Indians went on an 11–0 run highlighted by two more Conger triples and a Morgerson three-point play, giving Carlisle its largest lead at 37–32.
West Liberty-Salem head coach Darrin Leichty called a timeout to regroup, and the Tigers responded.
Louden drained his fourth three-pointer of the game, and Sutton Wilcoxon scored his first basket of the night to tie the game at 37 heading into the fourth quarter.
The teams traded scores early in the final frame. With the game tied at 41, Carlisle surged again. Conger knocked down his fifth three, and Gavin Morris followed with a wing triple to push the Indians ahead 47–41.
Another timeout was called by coach Leichty, and once again, the Tigers answered.
Louden and Poppe jump-started the offense, slowly chipping away at the deficit. Carlisle stayed in front with key free throws from Morgerson, and with under a minute to play, the Indians led 51–49.
West Liberty-Salem had the ball and went to Wilcoxon. He pulled up from the elbow and knocked down the game-tying jumper with under 30 seconds remaining.
Carlisle had a chance to retake the lead, but Conger missed both free throws with 15.4 seconds left.
The Tigers capitalized.
Louden controlled the ball across halfcourt and drove to the hoop. The ball went inside to Beckett Sullivan, who kicked it out to a wide-open Wilcoxon on the wing. Without hesitation, Wilcoxon let it fly.
Cash. A go-ahead three with two seconds remaining.
After a Carlisle timeout, Wilcoxon read the ensuing inbound perfectly, picked off the pass, and sealed a dramatic 54–51 district tournament win for the Tigers.
Wilcoxon talks about his unreal string of plays to help seal the win and the environment the WL-S fans brought to Bethel.
Tiger coach Darrin Leichty reflects on the finish to the game and previews the Tigers’ next tournament game on Tuesday.
West Liberty-Salem advances to face Greeneview, the #10 seed, Tuesday, March 3rd at 8:00 PM, once again at Bethel High School. The Tigers will be looking for revenge after the Rams ended their tournament run last season.
Other Local District Quarterfinal Scores
Cedarville 89, Calvary Christian 38
@ Piqua High School
Troy Christian 56, Triad 18
@ Troy High School
