January 23, 2004 - Covington

The Patriots went to Covington wanting to play the spoiler and knock off the undefeated Buccs in the Cross County Conference. It was an ugly physical game with 47 turnovers, a game that didn't favor the Patriots. Covington pulled away in the fourth quarter winning 66-50 to remain on top tied with Ansonia at 7-0 in the conference.

Kyler Burns started the Patriots off with a basket off a steal and a 2-0 lead and Derek Ary followed up with a basket and Tri-Village lead 4-2 early on. Brady Reck drained a trey and the Buccs jumped on top 5-4 and never trailed the rest of the way. The Patriots had trouble handling the basketball against Covington's 1-3-1 press and turned the ball over numerous times and found themselves trailing after one 21-13.

Cory Jay picked up the pace in the early part of quarter two scoring inside baskets and Burns nailed his only three on the night and TV was within three 23-20. Covington would go on a run of their own behind the play of Dustin Kimmel and lead at halftime 32-27.

To start the second half Corey Jay scored and old fashioned three on a bucket and free throw. The Patriots defense stifled the Buccs for a few minutes and at 5:51 Covington called a timeout. Following the timeout Jay scored another basket and it looked like it was going to be a game tied at 32-32. But Covington would go on a 14-0 run over the next five minutes enabled by many Patriots miscues handling the basketball. The Buccs ended the third period 46-33 in total control of the game.

Tri-Village didn't go away just yet making a run of their own to start the final stanza. A Josh Bailey baseline jumper brought the Patriots to within seven points 46-39 with about 6 minutes to play. But the rest of the fourth quarter belong to senior Matt McCord and freshman Gene Studebaker scored 17 of Covington's 20 points to help the Buccs the pull away with the win 66-50.

A couple of positives in the game was the adjustment Tri-Village made in the second half to contain Dustin Kimmel who scored 16 points in the first half and only a free throw after that. The Buccs were a much more physical team and while not being a physical team the Patriots matched Covington on the boards 28-30.

Rebounding is key to winning games and when the offense is clicking it will benefit the Patriots in games down the stretch. The Patriots will pick up action tomorrow at home facing the Versailles Tigers for the second time this season.

Go Patriots!

If you are interested in any of the photos from the game they can be ordered from Ben Robinson at ben@colorgreencreative.com

Box Score
Tri-Village
Ary - 5
Fisherback - 0
Bailey - 7
Burns - 11
Quinn - 5
Lindamood - 9
Jay - 13
Snyder - 0
Brant - 0
Totals - 50

Covington
McCord - 24
Kimmel - 17
Studebaker - 12
Darin Rhoades - 6
Reck - 5
Meyer - 2
Burelison - 0
Dusty Rhoades - 0
Warner - 0
Totals - 66