August 2005 – New Madison

The 2004-05 Patriots program ushered in a new coach and a different style of basketball. Josh Sagester implemented a match-up zone defense along with a new motion offense focused on getting the ball into the post. The team adapted quickly to the zone defense and established a new single season record of less then 50 points a game at 49.6. The defense was good enough to get the team into the sectional championship game where the season would end with an overall record of 11-12 and 6-5 in the CCC.

In conference action the Ansonia Tigers, National Trails Blazers, Covington Buccaneers and Twin Valley South Panthers all were considered front-runners.

Although the Patriots finished 5th in the conference they were within just a few points of finishing near the top suffering 3 overtime losses to league foes Ansonia, National Trail and Bethel.

The non-league schedule once again was very challenging with Fort Recovery, St. Henry, Fairlawn and two games with Versailles.

In the first half of the season Tri-Village struggled to a 3-7 record with an even more difficult schedule to come. Things looked bleak, but the team produced good wins over Covington, Tri-County North and Union City, Indiana on their way to a 6-4 record in the second half of the season.

In tournament action the PATS easily defeated Middletown Christian in the first round and earned the opportunity to play the number 4 seed Xenia Christian. Tri-Village played the spoiler and the upset advanced them to the sectional championship game. Facing Cedarville, TV played a good first half but the Indians got the hot hand in the second half to advance to the districts for the 4th time in the last 5 years.

Considering the schedule an 11-12 record was quite an accomplishment for the team. Five seniors are departing. Corey Jay led the way shooting 63% from the floor for 17.4 ppg while pulling down 10.3 rpg and tallying 957 career points 2nd most in school history. Corey also earned the following honors; CCC 1st team, District 9 1st team, District 9 all Star Game, and 2nd team All Southwest District.

Josh Fisherback scored 5 ppg earning Honorable Mention in the CCC and finished 12th all time in career 3-pointers with 33. Ryan Snyder contributed 3.9 ppg and 4.4 rpg, Cameron Quinn added 4.3 ppg and 4.5 rpg and Josh Pipenger limited action scored 1 ppg.

Three juniors contributed, led by Sam Lindamood with 12.7 ppg, 4.2 rpg and 3 apg, while earning CCC 1st team and Honorable Mention Southwest District. Daniel Foreman had 4.9 ppg and 6.2 apg or 143 total assists 3rd in school history for a single season while earning Special Mention in the CCC. Taylor Brubaker saw limited action off the bench but added 1ppg.

2004-05 was the first season for Coach Josh Sagester who now lays claim to the best defensive team in history and an 11-12 record. With youth on his side and a possible long tenure at Tri-Village the mark of 248 wins by Coach Lee Falknor is out there waiting to be broken.