DRIVING IN — Weir High’s Sebastian Spencer drives to the hoop against Martins Ferry on Friday. (Andrew Grimm)

WEIRTON — The bench can be just as important as the starting five.

Weir High demonstrated that Friday night Inside the Carl R. Hammil Field House, defeating Martins Ferry 78-54 in an OVAC consolation match.

The Red Riders (14-7) got 39 points from the bench to keep the Purple Riders (15-6) at bay and improve to 10-2 on the Ron “Fritz” Williams Court.

“I thought tonight we had great play from the guys that came off the bench,” Weir High coach Mike Granato said. “They sparked us. I thought it was a great team win against a great team. Martins Ferry is a legit team.”

Mikula finished with 12 points, hitting three 3-pointers, to trail only Luka Haught’s 13 points in Red Rider scoring.

“We brought Tanner off the bench tonight, and he hit got some big rebounds for us and hit some big-time shots,” Granato said.

Reed Reitter, just hours after signing to play football at West Liberty, scored 12 points, coming out strong with seven in the first quarter.

“He almost looked like he was a little bit relieved out there,” Granato said of Reitter. “We talked about it all the time. I’ve got him in class and and in practice. I think he was a little more relaxed than he’s been.

“It’s a big decision for an 18-year-old kid for what they’re going to do for school. He was more relaxed and that led to him playing well.”

After opening up a 12-4 lead at the end of the first quarter, Granato’s bunch pushed the advantage to 10 points at the break when Haught drained a long 3-pointer at the first half buzzer.

It was all Red Riders from there as they pushed the lead to 18 by the end of the third quarter and pulled away even further for the 24-point victory.

Martins Ferry was led by DeAndre Pugh, who finished a rebound shy of a double-double with game-highs in points (14) and rebounds (nine).

Dasyn Hores had 12 points for Ferry.

The Red Riders play John Marshall on Tuesday.

GAME NOTES

¯ Martins Ferry won the jayvee game, 45-42. Jaizen Miles led the Purple Riders with 15 points, while Skylar Jackson had 14 to lead Weir High.

(Grimm can be reached at agrimm@heraldstaronline.com)

Weir High 78, Martins Ferry 54

Martins Ferry 4-19-10-21 — 54

Weir High 12-21-18-27 — 78

MARTINS FERRY (15-6): Olson 1 2-2 4; Hores 4 2-3 12; Shrodes 3 0-0 8; Smith 3 1-2 7; Pugh 6 2-6 14; Buska 0 0-0 0; McKennen 0 0-0 0; Ray 1 0-0 3; Hilson 0 2-4 2; Grubba 0 0-0 0; Miles 0 0-0 0. TOTALS: 18 9-17 54.

WEIR HIGH (14-7): Spencer 1 3-5 5; Haught 5 0-1 13; Gillette 2 2-5 6; McCoy 2 0-0 4; R. Reitter 5 2-4 12; McUmar 2 2-4 8; Trupiano 3 2-2 8; Jackson 0 0-0 0; Cross 1 0-0 2; G. Reitter 0 0-0 0; Nutter 1 1-2 3; Mikula 4 1-2 12; Buffington 2 0-0 5. TOTALS: 28 13-25 78.

3-POINT GOALS: Martins Ferry 5 (Shrodes 2, Hores 2, Ray); Weir High 10 (Haught 3, Mikula 3, McUmar 2; Nutter, Buffington). TURNOVERS: Martins Ferry 22; Weir High 12.