Marietta’s Elyjah Lieras-Kelley cuts off a piece of the net after the Tigers’ sectional final win over Fairfield Union at Warrior Coliseum. (Photo by Jordan Holland)

MARIETTA — After guiding the Marietta Tigers to one of the best seasons in program history, head coach Austin Gardner will have the chance to coach two of his own players one final time.

Gardner, whose Tigers won 22 games and a sectional title in his second season at the helm, has been selected to coach the Ohio team in today’s Battle Against Cystic Fibrosis All-Star Basketball Classic at Parkersburg South’s Rod Oldham Athletic Center.

Two of Gardner’s seniors from MHS — Elyjah Lieras-Kelley and Izak Knighten — will represent the orange and black.

“We had our banquet last week,” Gardner said. “I said to Izak and Ely that they’re fortunate to have one more time together. Those are two good kids who will excel at the next level no matter what they do. They had a big impact on our program.”

Fellow Tiger senior Alex Kendall is unable to suit up for the BACF game after being selected to play for an all-star team in Italy.

“Not being from the area, I didn’t know too much about the BACF,” Gardner said. “It’s a big deal, and it’s for a good cause. It gives the kids another opportunity to showcase their skills one more time as seniors. They understand the value of the game, the meaning of the game and putting on the jersey one more time.”

One cool thing about a game like the BACF is it’s a chance for former rivals to become teammates. Lieras-Kelley and Knighten were involved in two hard-fought battles with Warren this season. The Warriors’ lone senior, Trent Taylor, will join forces with the Tiger duo to try to help the Buckeye State pick up a win.

“It’ll be nice having Trent Taylor on the squad instead of going against him,” Gardner said.

Gardner is familiar with a lot of the players selected to the Ohio team. Federal Hocking’s Tariq Cottrill and Andrew Airhart along with Vinton County’s Garrett Brown and Owen Hire are players that the Tigers have gone up against in the past. From Washington County, Belpre’s Blake Church and Derek Liston as well as Frontier’s Ethan Snyder also will suit up. Rounding out the team will be River’s Kabel Isaly, Nelsonvile-York’s Keagan Swope and Trimble’s Levi Weber.

“I know the West Virginia squad won last year,” Gardner said. “We’ll play to win the game. Hopefully it’ll be a fun night for everyone to enjoy.”

Ohio lost last year’s BACF game by a score of 124-103, snapping a five-game win streak for the Buckeye State. West Virginia leads the all-time series 13-7.

Gardner previously coached in the district all-star game, with his team losing a 119-117 affair. He’s hoping there will be a bit more defense in the BACF game.

“That game was kind of a free-for-all,” Gardner said. “I’d like to make one a little more competitive and compelling. Sometimes in these all-star games, if you take it too nonchalant, it can be hard to watch. Sometimes it’s cool to pick up the pace and play hard. We want the kids to have fun and make it a good show for the fans.”

Gates open at 4:30 p.m. Friday with tickets available at the door for $7 each. The girls game will start at 5:30 with the boys following at 7:30. Proceeds will go toward funding and research for finding a cure for cystic fibrosis.

Gardner is aware of how prevalent cystic fibrosis is in society and planned to drive that point home during practice on Wednesday.

“This isn’t rare,” Gardner said. “It happens. Kids live through it, parents live through it, and a lot of people are affected by it. We had a player on our team, Ashton Harris, who passed away with myeloid sarcoma. I think kids sometimes feel like they’re untouchable or invincible, but that’s not the case. This game has a lot of meaning, and I’m looking forward to it.”

EDITOR’S NOTE: Warren senior Trent Taylor will miss the BACF game due to a “little nagging hamstring injury,” according to a statement on the Warrior Hoops Facebook page. Taylor, also a standout on the Warren baseball team, is committed to staying healthy for baseball season. He’s signed to play at Glenville State.