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| Ryan Buck battled inside for 22 points as the Buccaneers had a difficult time containing him and TV went on to a 46-40 win. |
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December 21, 2007 - New Madison, Ohio
Over the last three years the Tri-Village verses Covington match-up has always had big implications on how the two teams finish in the race for the CCC Crown. Last year the Buccs made a last second shot to send the game in overtime and went on to win then tying for a league championship while the PATS were left sitting on the outside.
Tonight Tri-Village found a way to hold off a very determined Buccaneer team to preserve a 46-40 win to stay in contention for a conference crown. Things will only get tougher for Covington as they have dropped their first 4 league games.
The Buccs came out aggressive with Nate Lavey opening the scoring with a trey and followed up with a lay-up a few minutes later to take a 5-4 lead. Ryan Buck scored his third straight goal for the Patriots at 5:12 and TV led 6-5.
Covington then scored 5 more points two by Jordy Meyer and a three-pointer from Kody Thiebeau and the Buccs led 10-6. TV responded with a Stutz steal for two, followed up by two more inside by Buck to knot the game 10-10. Covington then dropped in their third shot from behind the arch this time from Jordy Burelison and the Buccs would lead 13-11 to finish the quarter.
The second period was almost a carbon copy of the first both teams showed patience on the offensive end while playing hard nosed defense. TV opened the period with two free throws by Tyler Greer and a fast break basket by Drew Moore to give the PATS the lead 15-13.
Ryan Buck would then score the remaining 6 points for Tri-Village in the second period scoring 15 of his game high 22 points in the first half. Buck was the beneficiary of many post entry passes from David Barger and Covington was unable to defend the combination in the first half.
The Buccs however stayed close getting scoring from Andy Sparks, Adam Craft and Nate Lavey to tie the game 21-21 at the half.
In third period Tri-Village found some life from behind the arch as Kendall Stutz found the range on two of them to help the PATS go up 29-23 causing Covington Coach Roger Craft to call a timeout to regroup.The Patriots were however able to maintain their lead closing out the period leading 33-29.
In the final stanza Tri-Village would put some pressure on the Buccs with freshman drew Moore striking for three to open the period. The Patriots then went back inside to Buck for six more points. Tyler Greer at the 3:20 mark stole the ball and passed it up the floor to Moore for two off the break and the PATS held a 43-32 advantage their largest lead of the night.
Covington however didn’t fold the tents and responded with two straight three’s one from Thiebeau and another from Bill Dickey. But the deficit was too much for the Buccs to make up, as Tri-Village was able to net 3 of 4 free throws down the stretch to seal the win 46-40.
Afterward Coach Sagester was complimentary of Covington and the game they played. “They got into a low scoring game which is the style they needed to play to give themselves a chance to win.”
“Our team, with the exception of the first quarter played pretty good defense. Offensively we were a little out of sync we missed some easy shots and need to drop a few more. I was a little disappointed we didn’t close out the game better. With three minutes to go we have an 11-point lead and didn’t take care of the basketball nor rebound it defensively at the end. Give Covington some credit their kids played hard and didn’t quit.
“Ryan Buck and David Barger are really playing well together inside and tonight Covington wasn’t able to defend Buck said Sagester. I also thought Drew Moore and Kendall Stutz stepped up and hit some big shots for us in the second half. Defensively David Barger did a nice job with 4 blocks and played solid in the middle”, concluded Sagester.
Ryan Buck led the way offensively with 22 points while pulling down 13 rebounds. Kendall Stutz and Drew Moore chipped in 10 and 9 points as well.
The win improved Tri-Village record to 5-2 overall and 4-1 in conference play. The Jr Varsity Boys also were victorious with a win over Covington 46-28. Craig Dill led with 11 points while Troy Pearson and Matt Miller chipped in 8 points each. The JV boys share the same record as the varsity.
Both teams are back in action at the 45th Jet Holiday Tournament Friday December 28th. The JV boys will play at 1pm with the varsity playing at 6pm.
Scoring by Quarters
Tri-Village 11 10 12 13 – 46
Covington 13 08 08 11 – 40
Tri-Village
Buck 22
Greer 05
Moore 09
Stutz 10
Totals 46
Covington
Dickey 05
Kanet 05
Burelison 03
Lavey 09
Craft 05
Thiebeau 10
Sparks 04
Totals 40
Three Pointers
Tri-Village (3): Stutz – 2, Moore – 1
Covington (5): Thiebeau – 2, Dickey – 1, Burelison – 1, Lavey – 1
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| Kendall Stutz hit two big treys in the third period to help TV to a win over Covington. |
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