When Tyler Greer went down with an injury, senior Heath West stepped forward in the second half scoring 15 points to help the TV to a win over North.
12/19/08
New Madison, Ohio
Over the years Tri-Village basketball under the helm of Josh Sagester, has built up a reputation by many basketball aficionados of being a stall ball basketball team. There can be an argument made that a patient team isn’t a stall ball tactic… but that is a discussion for another time.
Last night the Patriots didn’t resemble anything close to stall-ball. They were content to play the style of basketball that the visiting team Tri-County North likes to play… and in fact beat them at their game.
TV raced out to a first quarter 24-21 advantage and a halftime lead of 44-35. In years past that may have been a final score for Tri-Village. “We can score the ball, we have a lot of kids who can put the ball in the hole,” said Coach Josh Sagester.
In the first half North set-up a box and one on Tyler Greer which was effective in slowing him down. Drew Moore picked up the scoring with 11 of his 13 first half points in the second quarter. Cody Gunckel also picked up scoring slack with 11 points in the half. The Patriots also got some good play from David Richards off the bench who had two big offensive rebounds late in the half for two scores.
“We are fortunate to have two 6’5” kids who can play the same spot and when one gets in trouble we can bring in the other and not miss a beat, tonight Dave did a nice job in that role and he is getting better every game,” said Sagester.
Early on in the third quarter Tyler Greer went down in obvious pain and was helped off the court and was unable to return to the game. With their senior leader out another senior stepped forward. Heath West assumed the point and scored 9 of the Patriots next 12 points to help the home team go up by a score of 60-44. Tri-Village finished quarter with a lead of 60-48.
In the final stanza the Panthers were able to close within 10 points but Tri-Village was able to maintain their distance with Gunckel and Moore providing the offense. Tri-Village would go on to take a 78-64 win and raise their overall record to 5-1 and 4-0 in conference play.
Moore led the Patriots with 25 points, Gunckel dropped in 17 and West 15 points on the night. Dave Richards pulled down 8 rebounds and Tyler Greer in just half a game dished out 5 assists. Early reports on Greer is a severe sprain no other information was available at the time.
Afterwards Josh Sagester commented, “I’m happy to get the win tonight, North is a scary team even though they haven’t won a game they are athletic and can put points on the board. Our team looked a little sluggish tonight and I thought our defense wasn’t good in the first half. We challenged them and I thought their effort was better in the second half.”
“I don’t want to make excuses… but this team has played a lot of games in a short period of time. Two double weekends and Tuesday games and now we have to go Greenville tomorrow night and play again on Tuesday. That wears down your team.”
“I was really pleased with the way Heath West stepped up tonight… he is a gritty competitor who just keeps playing and when we have our stud on the bench (Greer injury) and can keep rolling that is what makes this team hard to beat.”
Coach Sagester commented on the nice play of Troy Pearson with his defense and rebounding… “he plays hard and gives a good effort each night and that is what it will take for this team to keep winning… everyone contributes.”
“We need everyone’s contributions as we have put a target on our backs and will be taking each teams best punch, after tonight there will only be 2 undefeated teams, us and the winner of Miami East vs Bethel game in conference play (Miami East defeated Bethel 62-60) so that target will remain,” concluded Sagester
In the JV contest the Patriots cruised over Tri-County North with Aaron Cassel scoring 18 points and Tyler Garland adding 17 points. Evan Barger led the way on the boards with 8 caroms. Their record improves to 5-1 overall and 3-1 in conference play.
Both teams are back in action Saturday night as they travel to Greenville to take on the Green Wave.
