December 26, 2003 - Pitsburg

Tonight Tri-Village was facing a monumental task taking on the number one seeded Versailles Tigers at the Jet Holiday tournament, sponsored by Fanfilemagazine.com. The Tigers returned a very solid nucleus of players from last year's team that lost in the regionals to Cincinnati Reading... and Reading went on to win the State Championship. The Patriots would play well in the first half and looked like they would give the Tigers a game... but they would not be able to repeat their performance in the second half... and eventually fell 70-45. Keys to the game rebounding and a full game of solid defense. The Tigers would score 20 points on second or third attempts on offensive rebounds... and defensively the Patriots would be unable to sustain their intensity for the entire game allowing Versailles to pick apart the defense.

In the first quarter Tri-Village used a 1-2-2 matchup zone that bothered the Tigers forcing some uncharacteristic turnovers. The Patriots would use it to their advantage... and when Kyler Burns hit a baseline jumper with 1:30 to go the Patriots were down one, 7-6. But Versailles would score 6 unanswered points including two free throws with no time on the clock as Bart Schmitz was fouled by Cameron Quinn and sank both free throws giving Versailles a 13-6 advantage.

In the second quarter Quinn would redeem himself and get a quick basket but Versailles would score the next eight points aided by three Tri-Village turnovers. Kylers Burns hit a big three at 5:03 and Versailles led 21-11. The Tigers again scored a couple of baskets until junior Josh Fisherback entered the game. Fisherback would give the Patriots a big boost in a matter of 2 minutes by hitting two - "three pointers" and one two point basket... and at the 1:33 mark the score was 27-19. The two teams would trade a couple more baskets... and at the end of the first half Verailles lead 31-23.

Versailles - Ben Shappie opened the third quarter with a three the hard way only to be answered by a Burns three. Shappie again scored a three this time from behind the arc and Burns again answered with a basket. Kyle Gehle would score a three pointer, his first points of the game, after sitting much of the first half due to foul trouble. Versailles started to build momentum...and Tri-Village found it difficult to stop the Tigers as they picked apart their zone. Versailles would end the third period leading 54-36.

In the fourth stanza the Patriots would start off in a man to man defense to try and stop the Tiger momentum. But in the next three minutes Kyle Gehle would knock down three - "three pointers"... and also knife his way through the lane scoring 11 points, giving Versailles a 65-36 lead. Versailles would have their largest lead of the night when Joe Shardo scored two and a free throw by Kevin Paulus at the 4:00 minute mark gave the Tigers a 32 point lead 68-36. The Patriots would finish out strong but found the Tigers too much to handle with a 70-45 loss.

Versailles will be tough to beat tomorrow evening and will square off against host Franklin Monroe. The Patriots will battle Arcanum in the consolation game... with a chance to avenge a one point season opening loss.

Remember to visit www.fanfilemagazine.com the official sponsor of the Jet Holiday Tournament. 20% of any photos or memorabilia purchased during the tournament... or anytime at BK Photo Studios goes directly to your school's athletic programs. Check out tall their products and photos at the game.

Box Score
Tri-Village
#5 - Fisherback - 12
11 - Pipenger - 0
#15 - Foreman - 2
#21 - Ary - 2
#23 - Bailey - 0
#24 - Burns - 13
#33 - Quinn - 8
#35 - Lindamood - 4
#50 - Jay - 4
Totals - 45

Versailles
#11 - Borchers - 6
#12 - Shappie - 13
#13 - Gehle - 15
#15 - Shardo - 12
#22 - McNeilan - 5
#32 - Barga - 2
#42 - Paulus - 5
#44 - Schmitz - 12
Totals - 70