Best Virginia HC Jarrod West Sr. Labels First Round ‘Dog Fight,’ Looks to Herd That

Best Virginia’s matchup against the Dubois Dream went down to the wire Friday, but they came out on top 72-69. Head Coach Jarrod West Sr. reflected on the “dog fight” in the post-game press conference.

“That’s a dog fight right there. I knew it was gonna be a dog fight… they’re not gonna give up or stop,” West said of the Dream.

The Best Virginia squad was up by 17 points to start the fourth quarter after a put-back dunk by Isaiah Sanders to end the third. However, the Dream clawed back and took the lead for a short time in the Elam Ending.

“I mean, 17 to them is nothing,” West said. “Cutting down up, um, single digits and it was a grind. But to the credit of our of our team, adversity hit down one or two in the Elam Ending.”

With the target score set at 72 and Best Virginia sitting with a 70-69 lead, first-time TBT player Toby Okani sealed the win with two free throws.

BEST VIRGINIA MOVES ONTO ROUND OF 32 🔥@finalfourcast | @WVUhoops pic.twitter.com/QWHXt8oHgV

— TBT (@thetournament) July 19, 2025

“We was talking about how we’re gonna defend the next play. And I said, ‘listen. He’s gonna make these two free throws,'” West said. “And to his credit, he stepped up, made two big free throws for us to advance.”

Okani finished the game with nine points and a game-high 11 rebounds. West complimented his versatility on the court.

“Toby’s a band aid. He can play big if you need to. He’s a matchup problem, and he can handle the ball, make good decisions,” West said. “When he gets his feet set he can make shots, and it’s good to be young. He’s hungry. Um, great kid, humble kid. Wants to come in and says he wanna do everything he can just help us win. He was a big, big piece of the puzzle.”

Best Virginia’s next challenge will be at 5 p.m. Sunday against Herd That, the Marshall alumni team. Herd That comes into the game having beaten Sikh Warriors 84-71.

While the two in-state rival alumni teams are set to meet in Charleston, West said he will treat it as any other game.

“To be honest with you, I mean, I know it’s a rivalry game. It’s the next it’s just the next game,” West said. “It wouldn’t matter if it was Marshall. We was trying to win the next game. Obviously, they have a shirt on, but it’s not like it’s a WVU-Marshall thing. It’s the next game.”

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