February 26, 2008 – DAYTON - UD Arena

By Ben Robinson

Battling gallantly, only to fall to Houston 58-57 in double overtime in the district final.

Throughout four quarters and two overtime sessions in the district final against Houston, the game plan installed by Tri-Village coach Josh Sagester was working to near perfection.

The Patriots had kept the game close by implementing a patient offense and a junk defense in order to prevent the high-powered Wildcats from lighting up the scoreboard.

Unfortunately for Tri-Village, missed opportunities at the free throw line, a few missed rebounds at key moments and a costly turnover in the waning minutes of regulation led to a 58-57 double-overtime loss.

"I don't really know what to say," said Sagester in obvious disappointment in the outcome. "I know we got beat, but the effort the kids gave tonight and the way we showed ourselves - I couldn't be prouder of our guys. Last year we came out and really didn't look like we belonged, but in my opinion - take it for what it's worth - we certainly belong this year."

The Patriots more than belonged as they held Houston to just 38% shooting and 8 for 28 from behind the arc and shot 56% from the floor themselves.

But it was the 10-19 free throw shooting, the 15 second chance scoring opportunities for Houston and the nine points surrendered off turnovers that prevented Tri-Village from putting the game away.

"It was a turnover here, a shot there, we had opportunities - there's no
doubt about it," Sagester said. "We just didn't quite seal the deal."

The Patriots were in position to seal the deal in regulation thanks to a stingy defense that allowed Houston just 45 points in regulation.

Tri-Village also received a huge night from its post players in Ryan Buck and David Barger as the duo combined for 37 points and 25 rebounds.

"We were slowing it down, it's the tempo we wanted," Sagester explained. "We knew we couldn't outscore them because of their offensive firepower. That (style of play) is how we've won a lot of games in my tenure. We're not overly flashy. We grind it out and methodically beat you.

We had opportunities tonight that in the past we've capitalized on. For some reason or not we didn't tonight. But give Houston credit, they're 20-4 and going to three-straight regionals for a reason."

It appeared as though Sagester's Patriots were the team headed to the regional tournament as they had the ball for one final shot with the score
knotted at 45-45 in regulation.

As it had done on numerous occasions, Tri-Village used the clock to its advantage and executed the offense for a perfect scoring opportunity with just seconds left. The ball went to Ryan Buck within five feet of the basket, but Buck's shot was blocked in a sequence where the Tri-Village faithful felt the Patriot Center was hacked and should have went to the free throw line.

Still, Tri-Village had other chances to seal the deal in the first and second overtimes. The final chance came after Houston took a 58-57 lead with 37 second left in the second overtime.

Tri-Village worked the offense to get an open lane to the basket and Tyler Greer found that opening with six second left. He drove to the basket and put up a runner that bounced off the tip of the rim and into a Houston player's hands as the buzzer sounded.

"They were in a two-three zone and I kind of like the broken floor, "described Sagester in regards to the final attempt to claim victory. "Against Yellow Springs I had a timeout left with 13 seconds and we went the length of the floor and scored. I didn't know if I wanted to call a timeout and let them set up, but we got an awful good look. It was just a little hard and I don't think we could have drew up anything better than what we got."

Considering the effort Tri-Village gave on a big stage, the loss was as difficult to accept for the coach as it was for the kids. "The toughest thing is sending my seniors away," Sagester said. "The effort they've given and the time they've put into this program is second to none.
Hopefully the younger kids can carry the torch along."

The emotions in the locker room reflected Sagester's mood during his post-game comments. "I could barely get a word in after the game" he stated. "I've got so many guys in there (the locker room) crying. That just shows how much they care. They never once cared about any individual stats. It was all about the W's. We've got great kids and I think that's the toughest thing. They become like your own because you spent so much time with them. To send them off, I would have liked to have cut that net down with them. Unfortunately it didn't happen tonight."

Scoring by Quarters:
Tri-Village ....................16.......26......37......45......52......57
Houston ........................13......30......38......45......52......58

Tri-Village Scoring:
Ryan Buck - 20
David Barger - 17
Tyler Greer - 12
Drew Moore - 4
Kendall Stutz - 2
Logan Brubaker - 2

Houston Scoring:
Dustin Schwable - 18
dan Estes - 9
Josh Cornett - 9
Jeremy Howard - 6
Travis Mullen - 6
Adam Sluss - 4
Brad Grillot - 3
Kevin Roeth - 3