Pitsburg – December 27, 2004
It was ten short days ago when Tri-Village visited FM coming out flat and trying to catch-up all night falling short 62-52. Once again it appeared the night was going to repeat itself as the PATS again came out flat falling behind 18-9 after one.

But on this night the Patriots had enough grit to fight back behind Corey Jay who avoided foul trouble on his way to 31 points (second game in a row) and 18 rebounds as the Patriots found a way to win down the stretch 50-40.

In the first period TV didn’t move well on defense and the Jets benefited from a couple of baskets falling from a few unlikely scorers. Logan Halderman led FM with 10 points in the quarter knocking down two threes. Meanwhile on the offensive end the Pats started out cold but Jay would score 8 in the quarter with Foreman adding a free throw but trailing 18-9.

The second quarter Tri-Village would move a little better in their zone defense and Sam Lindamood would get 5 points including a trey. But it was Jay contributing 9 points dominating the inside and the Patriots pulled within a point 24-23 at the half.

“I thought oh no here we go again, said Coach Josh Sagester. We weren’t moving well on defense at all in the first half. I knew we needed to change things up and put some pressure on the ball.”

In the third period they came out in a man-to-man defense getting up on the Jets taking away their ball movement and penetration not allowing them good looks at the basket. The Patriots were able to slow the Jet offense and tied it 31-31 giving themselves a chance to win the game in the final stanza.

The fourth quarter would belong to the Patriots and Jay who would go 11 more points. The defense would continue to limit FM from getting good shots and they would go on to post a 50-40 rematch victory.

“Hey what can I say? Jay was a man tonight, a difference maker for us. When he isn’t sitting beside me on the bench like he did the first time around it’s a different game,” said Coach Sagester. “I thought Ryan Snyder gave us some good minutes tonight and our defensive effort in the second half was much better. Daniel Foreman also gave us a solid floor game,” added Sagester. “This was a good win because we fought back this time around and found a way to win the game. We have no time to celebrate or rest with a big game tomorrow night against a tough Versailles team in the Holiday Tournament Championship.”

Free throw shooting is still a bit inconsistent as the Patriots only connected on 13-25 and will need to improve to win the close games. Good Luck and Go Patriots!

Box Score
Tri-Village Patriots
# 5 – Fisherback – 0
#15 – Foreman – 5
#32 – Snyder – 4
#33 – Quinn – 0
#35 – Lindamood – 8
#50 – Jay - 31
Totals – 50

Franklin Monroe Jets
# 3 – Cera – 2
#11 – Halderman – 13
#20 – Shellabarger –6
#23 – Long – 9
#24 – Hunt – 6
#32 – Fisher – 2
#45 – Hall – 2
Totals – 40

Score by quarters:
Tri-Village – 9 – 23– 31 – 50
Franklin Monroe – 18 – 24 – 31 - 40