No Place Like Home Part II
J. C. Tilton
Like their counterparts the TVS boys team had a tough game and what turned out to be an easy one. They played against a stubborn Covington team on Friday. Allowing them to go into the locker room at halftime with the lead. The resilient team bounced back and even held off a late challenge to win with a Dale Spitler shot in the closing seconds. The team performed well offensively and defensively. Covington was stymied at both ends of the floor.
Saturdays game was viewed as no less of a challenge. Tri Village has been in the upper echelon of the league year in and year out. And there are several teams with a chance at getting a share of second place if South falters and loses any of their remaining games. On the other hand, if South wins out and Ansonia stumbles against National Trail, TVS could lay claim to a share of first. So there was a lot riding on this game.
Both teams opened with zone defenses. The teams were tentative in the early going, like two boxers getting a feel for their opponent. Tri Village lead briefly up 5-4 at the midpoint of the quarter. They did not enjoy their lead for long as Tyler Loxley connected from 3 point land 9 seconds later to propel TVS back into the lead 7-5. Momentum swung sharply over to the Panthers as they closed out the quarter up 18-11.
The second quarter belonged to Tyler Loxley. He scored the opening points of the quarter on a trey and would end the quarter in the same way. He would score the majority of his 19 points in the first half with most of these points scored behind the arc. Tri Village would close to within 4, but South would make a defense change that the Patriots could not answer. At halftime the team had a firm lead 35-21.
The second half was anti-climatic. South smothered Tri Village on defense and kept their motors on full throttle on offense. Which scorer do you stop? South had 4 players in double figures for the night. South was able to cruise to a comfortable 62-38 win.
Coach Augsperger was understandably upbeat after the game, “We played three excellent halves in a row this weekend. After the first half yesterday [against Covington] we had three good halves. I was really, really pleased with my guys tonight. I told them before the game that if we come in here and lay an egg, then last night doesn't mean anything. We've got to build on what we did last night, and I think we did. Tyler Loxley had a great weekend for us. He did a great job defensively. He did a great job of making shots in the first half. We couldn't get it to him fast enough. Derek Smith had an outstanding weekend as well. Surely one of the best big men in our conference. He made shots, he rebounded, he did a lot of good for us tonight”. Hopefully South will be able to carry this momentum forward into next week and then the state playoffs.
Scoring: Dustin Bassler 14, Cory Bassler 3, Spitler 14, Bryant 3, Loxley 19, Stearman 2, Smith 14. Comments email: Chris Tilton
|