By Rob Kiser – Sports Writer Daily Advocate
DAYTON, Ohio – While Tri-Village High School boys basketball coach Lee Falknor was surprised when South Charleston Southeastern elected to hold the ball against the Patriots in a Division IV sectional tournament game at University of Dayton Arena Wednesday, it was not totally unexpected.
The result was the same for the Patriots. Tri-Village, which finished second in the final Associated Press poll, improved to 22-0 with a 48-26 victory.
The Patriots will play Mississinawa Valley Thursday, Feb. 28, at 8 p.m. in the sectional final in the Arena. The Blackhawks defeated Ansonia in Wednesday’s opener 72-57.
“I did not expect Southeastern to do that,” Falknor said. “When you are successful, I guess you have to expect teams to try some different things. It was the first time we had seen a diamond-and-one defense.”
While it was successful in the very early stages, Tri-Village led 15-6 at the end of the first quarter and 22-10 at halftime. Southeastern then suffered through a drought from the floor that destroyed any hopes of victory.
The Patriot defense completely stifled the Trojans, who went from 5:32 of the second quarter until 4:50 of the fourth quarter without a field goal. At one point Tri-Village led 42-14.
“We knew everything would have to go perfect,” Southeastern coach Jim Justice said of the 11-11 team’s chances. “We achieved our objective defensively. There were times when we didn’t execute on offense.”
While Tri-Village is an explosive team with six players averaging in double figures, it is the defense that has shined along the tourney trail. They allowed just 33 points against Bethel in the tourney opener.
“I was really pleased with the defense,” Falknor said. “We showed good patience on defense.”
Tri-Village was led by Shane Bietry and Scoob Cook with 10 points each. The Patriots were 22-43 from the floor for 51 percent and one of three from the line for 33 percent. Southeaster was 10 of 33 from the floor for 30 percent and six of eight from the line for 75 percent.
Falknor expects a tough game from Mississinawa.
Scoring by Quarters
Tri-Village 15 7 11 15 – 48
Southeastern 6 4 2 14 – 26
Tri-Village
Lindamood - 8
Brandon - 5
Ward - 0
Cook - 10
Bietry - 10
Lewis - 7
Fisherback - 0
Baker - 0
Buckingham - 0
Bennett - 0
Totals - 48
Southeastern
Jason Cox - 8
Spitzer - 6
Spears - 4
Peters - 4
Justin Cox - 2
Pavelka - 2
Totals - 26
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