New Madison – It was a showdown at the Battleground as the Tri-Village Patriots and Bethel Bees knew the stakes as both teams held identical 9-1 league records. Covington had already completed their league games finishing 10-1 and was waiting the outcome of this game, as the winner would share with them the Cross County Conference title.

The atmosphere was electric it was a large crowd of red and blue on one side and a crowd of green on the other but not an empty seat to be found. The fan support for both teams was loud and the kids fed off the energy in the house.

It would be a game that had 6 ties and 7 lead changes with neither team really establishing the big run to pull away. With the game tied 46-46 with 2:09 seconds to play Bethel’s Tony Phillips made a cut and the Patriot defender slipped and fell. Bethel was able to find Phillips open in the right corner and without hesitation he let fly a three that gave Bethel a 49-46 lead. On the next trip down the floor the Patriots came up empty and with time dwindling the Patriots began to foul. Bethel would go on to win it at the free throw line 58-53 to claim their share of the Conference title.

In the first quarter both teams battled to a 9-9 tie. T-V behind Sam Lindamood’s 11 points in the second quarter was able to open up an 8 point lead 22-14 at 3:44, the largest lead for either team on the night. Bethel would finish strong with a bucket inside by Clayton Strunk, 2 free throws by Tony Phillips and three by Mike Kley to pull the Bees to within three at the half 24-21 and some precious momentum.

In the third period Bethel would gain the lead at 5:35 when Brian Muse hit a short jumper. Lindamood regained the lead for T-V with two free throws. But then Bethel put together a short run capped by two more three’s by Kley and at 2:33 the Bees held a 7 point lead 35-28 their largest lead of the night.

The Patriots fought back with Mark Wheeler driving to the basket for two, moments later Derrick Chowning was the recipient of a nice pass for two inside and when Lindamood hit a jumper 27 seconds to play in the third T-V was down just 3 points 37-34.

Mark Wheeler got the Patriots rolling to start the final stanza with a drive and a foul. He converted and the game was tied 37 all. The game would be a see saw affair and tied two more times until Phillips hit the big shot with 2:09 to play. The Bees would then shoot 9-for-12 from the free throw line in the last 1:08 to close out the game with a 58-53 win.

Sam Lindamood led all scorers on the night with 24 points; Mark Wheeler added 11 and Daniel Foreman 10. Bethel was led in scoring by Mike Kley and Clayton Strunk with 16 each and Tony Phillips contributed 14 points.

The loss drops Tri-Village boys record to 13-7 overall and 9-2 in the conference finishing in second place. The Patriots will now focus their attention to the post season where they will meet up with Emmanuel Christian at Wright State University’s Nutter Center on Wednesday 2/22/06 at 8pm.

Scoring By Quarters:
TV 9 14 10 19 – 53
Bethel 9 11 16 21 – 58

TV
Wheeler 11
Greer 0
Foreman 10
T. Brubaker 0
L Brubaker 2
Lindamood 24
Barger 2
Chowning 4
Totals 53

Bethel
T. Phillips 14
M. Kley 16
M. Elam 4
C. Strunk 16
J. Meagan 4
B. Muse 2
D. Watson 2
Totals 58