MARTINS FERRY — The Purple Riders advanced to the OHSAA D-V regional tournament last winter. Martins Ferry took the first step to returning to the Sweet Sixteen this year by disposing of stubborn Garaway, 53-43, in overtime Saturday night at Tolbert Gymnasium.

The sectional title triumph improves Martins Ferry to 15-8 on the campaign. The third-seeded Purple Riders will now take on sixth-seeded Coshocton on Wednesday at a site to be determined by the OHSAA Eastern District Board.

The Pirates ended their campaign with a 4-19 mark.

“We knew it was going to be this type of game. Garaway is Garaway regardless of their record,” Martins Ferry head coach Derek Edwards said. “They are physical and play good defense. We knew we would have to match them with rebounding.

“We didn’t shoot it well from the perimeter but I thought we played pretty well,” added the former Ferry All-Ohio point guard. “And in overtime we did a great job defensively pitching a shutout while Elijah Smith took over, both offensively and defensively.”

The teams were deadlocked at 43-all after regulation.

Smith, a multi-talented 6-3 junior, meshed eight free throws and collared a handful of key rebounds in the extra four minutes. Ferry also forced the Pirates into four turnovers in the overtime session enabling the Purple Riders to win going away.

Smith ended the night with a game-high 25 points, including a 14-of-17 effort at the charity stripe. He also landed 11 rebounds. Standout senior Anthony Booth was next with 13 points, including a pair of free throws in overtime. Senior ace Gavin Little was solid support with 12 lightings.

Seniors Jaxon Garber and Lofton Numbers paced the Pirates with 10 points each.

Garaway led 33-30 going into the final chapter.

Ferry took a 34-33 lead on a Little bucket with 5:08 to play. Neither team would lead by more than three the balance of the period.

The Purple Riders appeared as if they may emerge victorious in regulation after Smith drained two free throws with 1:04 remaining, giving the hosts a 43-40 advantage.

Garaway did not go easily.

Numbers buried a wing trey with 25 seconds left to knot matters at 43-43. The Purple Riders had a chance to win in the waning seconds only to have a jumper fail to fall.

That set the stage for a Purple-dominated overtime.

“I don’t think we win this game nine days ago,” Edwards said. “That is when we didn’t close the deal against Monroe Central and lost. Our guys took that game to heart.

“They came to work every day after that game looking to get better….and they did. I am proud of them,” he added. “Tournament games are played in the halfcourt, as was tonight. We won this one in the trenches. So, it is nice to make the districts for the third straight year.”

The game was contested on even terms most of the night.

Garaway jumped out to a quick 12-5 lead but Ferry knotted the count at 12-all after the opening quarter. The Pirates maintained a 19-18 edge at intermission.

The Purple Riders committed nine turnovers while the Pirates were guilty of 11.

Ferry may have suffered a key loss during the game as freshman spark plug guard Jakori Cox left with a wrist injury.