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| A jubilant Tri-Village team rejoices in winning a Sectional Championship. |
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Vandalia, Ohio – March 2, 2007
The Tri-Village Patriots Boys basketball team play like the “cardiac kids” winning an overtime thriller against the Ridgeville Christian Lions. With the Patriots holding a one-point overtime lead 32-31 a Lions player broke free driving down the baseline with 8 seconds to play. Out of nowhere Ryan Buck appeared meeting him at the spot and swatted the ball away into the hands of Tyler Greer erasing the go-head basket.
Greer was immediately fouled sending him to the free throw line where he netted one of two throws to give the Patriots a 33-31 lead. Still there were 3.1 seconds left to play and a three-pointer could still send TV home…. but the shot was long and Tri-Village had survived a heart stopping back and forth affair to become Sectional Champs!
Only 5 teams in school history have accomplished the same feat, the 1974, 1981, 1991, 2000 and now the 2007 team.
“I really don’t know what to say,” said Coach Josh Sagester, barely able to speak losing his voice. “You can’t measure the hearts of the young men on our team.” “We aren’t the biggest, most athletic or skilled team… but they have earned everything up to this point through hard work, effort and buying into the system.” “This team could easily have folded up in the middle of the season… but they have won 8 straight games and now get to play in the districts at UD Arena.”
The Patriots jumped out in front early 7-3 before Ridgeville was able to net a trey to end the scoring in the first period trailing 7-6.
In the second quarter Tri-Village had trouble getting good looks against Ridgeville’s 3-2 extended zone. Meanwhile Stephen Buchanan was able to shake loose to score 9 of the 12 points the Lions registered taking an18-13 halftime lead.
The Patriots knew they had to slow down Buchanan and went to a box and one with Tyler Greer assigned to do the job. It would eventually prove to be a huge adjustment.
Ridgeville scored first to start the second half to go up 20-13 and with the Patriots struggling to penetrate the Lions defense things didn’t look good. Tri-Village would however hold the Lions scoreless the remainder of the period as Greer kept Buchanan in check while the rest of the Patriots held up their end.
Meanwhile the Patriots ran off 11 unanswered points to lead 24-20 at the end of three. Mark Wheeler hit two treys in the stretch including one at the buzzer while Tyler Greer, and Derrick Chowning contributed scores in the run.
Although David Barger never scored in the game it was his passing from the high post that helped the team get some open looks, he would end the game with 5 assists many of them during the 11 point run.
In the final stanza Ridgeville wasn’t ready to pack up and go home as they got an offensive stick-back to start followed by a trey to regain the lead 25-24 with 6:04 to play.
Tyler Greer sank a free throw to tie it but Ridgeville hit a short fielder to go back up 27-25. Ridgeville continue to pressure the Patriots full court a little too much sending Logan Brubaker to the free throw line and he would convert the one and bonus to tie the game 27-27 at 5:16 to play.
A free throw by Ridgeville gave them a one-point lead until a Greer drive down the lane put TV up 29-28. The remainder of the quarter went back and forth as both teams traded free throws with Ryan Buck hitting both ends of the one and one to tie it 31-31.
TV had one last chance to win it in regulation as Tyler Greer drove the lane but a Ridgeville block sent the game into overtime setting up the dramatic finish as Ryan Buck returned the favor of block.
“I told our kids that we didn’t want to give up any easy baskets, no lay-ups,” said Coach Sagester afterwards. “In no way did I ever expect Buck to make that kind of play… but it takes big plays to win games and that was a big one.”
“I also can’t say enough about the yeoman’s job that Ty Greer did on Buchanan,” said Sagester. “After scoring 9 points in the second quarter he was only about to get one in the second half.”
“These are great kids and all have contributed to the success of this team, I’m so happy for them right now I’m speechless,” concluded Sagester.
Tyler Greer led all scorers in the game with 13 points; Stephen Buchanan paced Ridgeville with 10.
The Patriots advance to the district at UD arena Friday March 9 times to be determined Sunday evening 3/4/2007 by OHSAA. TV will take on the Houston Wildcats who advanced with a 38-35 upset win over Russia the previously number one ranked team in the state.
Scoring by Quarters:
Tri-Village 07 06 11 07 02 – 33
Ridgeville 06 12 02 11 00 – 31
Tri-Village
Barger 00
Brubaker 02
Buck 04
Chowning 06
Greer 13
Stutz 00
Wheeler 08
Totals 33
Ridgeville Christian
Rush 05
Schillinger 03
Buchanan 10
Donley 01
Conaway 05
Bonardi 03
Painter 04
Totals 31
Three Pointers
Tri-Village (3): Wheeler – 2, Greer – 1
Ridgeville (4): Rush –1, Schillinger – 1, Buchanan – 1, Conaway – 1
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| Tyler Greer looks on as Logan Brubaker and Kendall Stutz celebrate. |
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