NEW MADISON – Tri-Village was coming off back-to-back losses and looking to get back on the winning track after two sub-par offensive performances, and the Patriots were ready to let loose.
The Patriots exploded for 10 3-pointers at the expense of visiting Covington for a 78-46 victory and in the process re-ignited their offensive confidence.
“We shared the ball really well tonight and got guys in position to be successful,” Tri-Village boys basketball coach Josh Sagester said.
Gavin Richards led a spirited first quarter offensively for the Patriots with three triples and 11 of the Patriots’ 20 points to go on top of the Buccs 20-7.
In the second quarter the Patriots ran a more controlled offense, getting touches in the paint with Trace Couch netting six points inside as Tri-Village rolled to a 35-16 halftime lead.
“Defensively we were in the right positions, and we did a good job on (Jordan) Maschino and (Trevor) Miller in the first half. Both of those kids are pretty good offensively,” Sagester said.
Tri-Village erupted for 28 points in the third quarter as the Patriots were raining threes – two by Brett Boyter, two by Tyler VanWinkle and one from Knox Morris. Morris also would score nine of his 12 points in the quarter as the Patriots increased their lead to 63-31.
“Early on we gave up some second chance points … but we finally got on the defensive glass,” Sagester said. “We did a better job of defensive rebounding and getting out in transition. For whatever reason we have been holding on to the ball instead of making that pass up the floor and getting our wings underneath us and in a position to make plays, and tonight we did a good job of pushing the ball ahead and made good decision with the ball to finish.”
In the final stanza the two teams would play to a 15-all tie … with the Patriots going on to claim the Cross County Conference win by the score of 78-46.
“We got contributions across the board. The teams that we have had there that have been very, very good over the last several years we’ve gotten get contributions from the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh man, and tonight we were able to do that across the board,” Sagester said.
“Tyler, Gavin and Trace are going to gather some attention … but Knox, Brett and Jonny were very good, and I though Pete gave us great minutes on both ends of the floor, too,” Sagester said.
“You always look good when you make 10 3s. That’s why you play home games … we stubbed our toe in the last two games on the road. We’ve been pretty good here in the Battleground, and tonight it served us well and gets us moving forward and back in the right direction,” Sagester concluded.
TV placed four players in double figure scoring: Richards had 24, Couch 16, Morris 12 and Boyter 10 in the win.
Covington was led by Maschino’s 17 points, and Miller added 11. The Buccs fell to 8-9 overall and 5-4 in the conference and will face Coldwater tonight.
The Patriots improved to 15-3 overall and 9-1 in the conference and host Bethel Friday.
Box score:
Score by quarters:
Tri-Village…20…15…28…15 – 78
Covington…07…09…15…15 – 46
Individual scores:
Tri-Village (15-3, 9-1)
Knox Morris 12, Tyler VanWinkle 6, Brett Boyter 10, Jonny Wilson 3, Gavin Richards 24, Dillon McCullough 3, Jared Buckley 4, Trace Couch 16 – Totals 10-18-12/15 – 78
Covington (8-9, 5-4)
Jordan Maschino 17, Trevor Miller 11, Nathan Blei 3, Adam Lefeld 2, Tristan Sowers 5, Zach Parrett 6, Lyle 2 – Totals 3-14-8/15 – 46
3-pointers:
TV – 10 (Richards 4, Boyter 2, VanWinkle 2, Morris 1, McCullough 1)
CO – 3 (Miller 1, Blei 1, Sowers 1)
