The Tolsia Rebels made a strong argument for the No. 2 sectional seed with a 65-54 win at home over the Chapmanville Regional High School boys’ basketball team on Friday night at Glenhayes.

Tolsia jumped out to a 12-0 early lead then clung to a 23-22 halftime advantage as the Tigers’ Mackenzie Martin banked in a 3-pointer at the buzzer.

The Rebels, led by Jacob Copley, who had two big third-quarter dunks, then held off Chapmanville to notch the win.

Martin, a 6-foot-4 junior, who was playing against his old Tolsia High School teammates, surpassed 1,000 points for his career during the game and finished with 27 points. When he reached the plateau the game was stopped and he was recognized.

Chapmanville saw its five-game winning streak snapped with the loss as the Tigers dropped to 12-6 overall and 8-3 in the Cardinal Conference. Tolsia, which lost 69-65 at Chapmanville on Jan. 27, improved to 13-4, 9-2, going one-game ahead of the Tigers in the standings.

Tug Valley, rated No. 4 in the state, is the Class AA sectional tourney’s likely No. 1 seed when the rankings are to be released. The Panthers crushed county rival Mingo Central 88-53 on Friday night at Newtown to sweep the season series with the Miners.

Mikey Newsome poured in 21 points and Mason Pack added 17 for the Panthers (15-2). Austin Brewer contributed 12 and Aaron Muncy 11 for Tug Valley.

Mingo Central (11-8) had a 21-point effort from Corey Cook. David Hatfield had 11 and Austin Banks 10.

With Tug Valley getting the No. 1 seed for the upcoming sectional tourney, Tolsia could be second with Chapmanville and Mingo Central battling for the third and fourth seeds. Scott and Wayne will most likely bring up the rear. Mingo Central, which beat Chapmanville back in December in the Tigers’ holiday tourney, have faded badly during the stretch run of the season going just 5-7 in its last 12 contests.

The Class AA sectional are set to begin on Feb. 25 at Logan High School’s Willie Akers Arena with the 3-6 and 4-5 seed games. The No. 1 and No. 2 seeds get first-round byes.

The Tigers are scheduled to return to action on Feb. 17 at home against Wayne. Chapmanville then goes to Sissonville on Feb. 18, hosts Man on Feb. 21 and closes out the regular season on Feb. 24 at Poca.