Best Virginia HC Jarrod West Sr. Breaks Down Loss to Eberlein Drive

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The Best Virginia run in the TBT came to an end in the Semifinals Thursday with an 85-77 loss to Eberlein Drive. After the game, Head Coach Jarrod West Sr. saw two major factors in the loss: defense and rebounding.

On the defensive side, West was confident in the team’s defense, but he credited Eberlein Drive’s ability to make difficult shots in the postgame press conference. He also thought Best Virginia handled the Eberlein Drive defense well.

“They did a pretty good job of shrinking the floor. The individual defense was pretty good, but the team defense behind was pretty good,” West said. “I thought offensively tonight we were fine. I thought we said that we, our offense was, we scored enough. I just thought our defense and rebounding was the key.”

Best Virginia’s tournament run has largely been from tough defense. However, West said he felt Eberlein Drive handled the defense well and executed shooting in the face of the defense.

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“We weren’t able to impact them defensively like we have been. So that credit to those guys,” West said. “They were able to deal with our pressure and in space but I mean to be honest with you, they made some tough, they, they made tough shots all game and they made timely big plays. So you got to give up, give, give credit where credit is due.”

Best Virginia lost the rebounding battle 43-22, which led to a second-chance point deficit of 21-3. West said he was confident in the early defense on possessions, but giving up offensive rebounds hurt Best Virginia.

“Our initial defense, first shot defense, it’s pretty solid. But when you continue to get two shots, three shots, you’re eventually going to score,” West said.

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