By Don McDermott – Sports Editor The Daily Advocate
New Madison – Tri-Village High quickly asserted itself as a Division IV boys’ basketball power Saturday night.
The Patriots scored seven points off three steals, and was 3-for-3 from the field in the first 1:11 as they overwhelmed Covington 91-58.
The Patriots have four starters back from the 1989-90 team that was 20-0 and ranked No. 1 in the final Associated Press Division IV poll. The red-white-and-blue, playing before a full house in the newly decorated high school gym, performed like the veteran team it is to stop Covington, 1-1.
Covington coach Steve Fisher was impressed. “They deserve any ranking they get,” said the Buccs coach, who got praise form his rival, Lee Falknor. “Steve has a lot of courage, trying to change his team’s style, said Falknor, who had watched the Buccs’ enthusiastic transition from a half-court offense to a fast break scheme. “It would be different if Steve was a new coach, but he’s been there for a while. His kids were aggressive and they played hard.
Tri-Village led 22-8 and 34-18 after the first two quarters. Halfway through the third quarter, the Patriots’ pressure defense forced several turnovers and going into the final eight minutes, Tri-Village led 65-33.
“I was very pleased with our teamwork,” said Falknor, looking at the stats sheet. Five players scored in double figures, with ailing center Scoob Cook netting 22. No. 2 guard Nate Lindamood 19, point guard Dirk Lewis 17, small forward Shane Bietry 14 and strong forward Randy Ward 10.
“All of our kids played extremely hard,” said Falknor, who was concerned about what kind of attitude his players would have. “I’ve seen teams with great personnel lose because of a poor attitude. Our players have great attitudes. We were passing the ball well, hitting the open man…rebounding…shooting…mixing it up offensively.”
The Patriots were 34 for 59 from the floor, a nifty first night shooting percentage of .576. Lewis who had three steals in the first 1:11 and finished with seven (of the Patriots’15), had four 3-pointers, Lindamood three.
Mac Wicker of Tri-Village sustained a cut chin that required nine stitches and a possible dislocated jaw in a fourth-quarter scramble for a loose ball. He will be sidelined indefinitely, according to school spokesman.
Scoring
Tri-Village……..22……12………31……..26 – 91
Covington………8…….10………15……..25 – 58
Tri-Village
Bietry - 14
Lewis - 17
Ward - 10
Fisherback - 2
Brandon - 7
Lindamood - 19
Cook - 22
Totals - 91
Covington
Long - 0
Kenworthy - 16
Davis - 0
Hite - 7
Dilley - 6
Short - 10
Kuntz - 17
Miller - 2
Totals - 58
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| 1990-91 State Runner-up 27-1 |
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