WHEELING — The Lady Maroon Knights launched their quest for another trip to the WVSSAC Class AA State Tournament in quick and impressive fashion Friday night on Skip Prosser Court.

Wheeling Central blasted Weir High by an 87-40 count. The outcome was never in doubt as the hosts dominated from the outset, building a 32-11 lead after the opening quarter as the Lady Red Riders turned the ball over on their first eight possessions.

The regional victory was the 18th in 23 starts for Coach Roberta Olejasz’s well-drilled squad. The Maroon Knights will now play host to Doddridge on Thursday. The winner punches its ticket to Charleston. Doddridge advanced via a 77-53 win over Tyler Consolidated last night.

Central was state runnerup last year.

Weir checked out with a 5-18 record.

“I like the way we came out. We took care of business early,” Olejasz said. “We pressured well and I was pleased on how well we shared the basketball.

“We got contributions from everyone and we shot the ball really well,” added the Wheeling Central Hall of Famer. “It is nice when you have 10 players get into the scoring column. It was a good win for us.”

Central’s first-quarter barrage with fueled by 15 Weir turnovers to go with productive scoring from a trio of Maroon Knights. Sweet-shooting junior Bella Fitzsimmons and savvy senior Addie Payton each netted 11 points in the frame while hard-working senior Erin Maxwell delivered eight more markers.

Central pushed its advantage to 54-19 by intermission as Maxwell added eight additional points in the second period.

Olejasz turned to her subs quickly in the third quarter as the starters were limited to just a few minutes. As a result, Weir outpointed the hosts 18-17 in the third chapter for a 71-37 Maroon advantage heading into the fourth quarter.

Fitzsimmons and Maxwell led the Maroon Knights with 18 points each. Payton chipped in with 13 points while All-State guard Seneca Heller turned in a splendid floor game by dishing out 11 assists to go with six steals.

“We don’t make excuses but we were down two girls tonight, one starter and one of my top reserves,” Weir head coach Rick Stead offered. “But make no mistake about it, Wheeling Central is a very good basketball team and Roberta does an excellent job with them.

“But I am proud of our girls’ effort tonight. They did not quit,” added the former WVU gridder. “We got a lot of young players on this team. If they want to work at it we have a chance to be good.”

Weir freshman Ryann Jeter led all scorers with 24 points. Classmate Gianna Siegel was solid support with 14 markers. Only three Lady Red Riders found the scoring column.

Weir ended the night with 26 turnovers. Central, meanwhile, committed just eight miscues.

“I am really pleased with how we are playing right now. Our kids are playing hard, smart and unselfishly,” Olejasz said. “Doddridge (15-8) is coming off a nice win over Tyler so we know they will give us their best shot. We look forward to the challenge.”

Wheeling Central 87, Weir High 40

WEIR (40) – Siegel 7, 0-0 14; Jones 0, 0-0 0; White 1, 0-0 2; Devore 0, 0-0 0; Jeter 9, 5-8 24. Totals 17, 5-8.

WHEELING CENTRAL (87) – Severns 4, 0-0 8; Fitzsimmons 7, 1-2 18; S. Heller 2, 1-2 6; Payton 5, 0-0 13; Maxwell 9, 0-1 18; Miehle 2, 0-0 5; B. Heller 0, 0-2 0; Steele 2, 3-4 7; Robrecht 3, 0-2 6; Downing 1, 0-0 2; Ernest 2, 0-0 4. Totals 37, 5-13.

3-point goals: Weir (1) – Jeter (1); Wheeling Central  (8) – Fitzsimmons (3), Payton (3), S. Heller (1), Miehle (1).