Mike Molesky battles for a rebound in the Buccs narrow 1-point loss to an unbeaten Russia team.

2001-02 Season 2001-02 Covington Buccaneers 2001-02 Buccaneer Cheerleaders Jason Meyer goes on to college...

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December 28, 2001 – COVINGTON
The Buccs had a chance to make a big statement tonight against undefeated Russia but the opportunity slipped through their fingers as Russia snuck by the Buccs 58-57. Missed opportunities and foul trouble killed the Buccs' chances late in the game.

The tone of the game was set early as both teams picked up 3 fouls a piece inside the first 3 minutes of the game. The Buccs' leading scorer, Jason Meyer collected two of those fouls and sat out the last five minutes of the first period without scoring a point. Russia took advantage of Jason's absence by taking an 8-6 lead at the end of quarter. The Buccs 6 points came at the hands of Bert Roeth and Jarod Meyer.

Things picked up in the second period as both teams took turns making short runs. The Buccs took a 20-16 lead on Jason Meyer's first points of the game on a 3-pointer with 3:50 left. Russia scored the next 9 points to take a 25-20 lead before two free throws and a 3-pointer by Alex Hague tied the score at 25 going into halftime.

The lead changed hands 6 times in the third as both teams tried to get the momentum. Bert Roeth scored 7 of his game high 19 points in the third while Jason Meyer caught fire with 6 of his 14 points. Russia was able to hold onto a narrow 1-point lead at the end of the period after the Buccs failed to convert a Josh Burelison steal and a Russia foul into points late in the third.

The Buccs took the lead early in the fourth on a jumper by Jason Meyer and another jumper by Bert Roeth. Russia took the lead right back on a layup and a jumper of their own and never trailed the rest of the game. The Buccs began to fall victim to fouls and Russia took advantage by sinking the majority of their free throws. Russia built a 4-point lead with 25 seconds left as the Buccs missed 3 open looks at the basket down the stretch. Trailing 58-54, Bert Roeth drilled a 3-pointer at the buzzer but it was too little, too late for the Buccs.

The loss drops the Buccs to 7-2 on the season as both losses have come against undefeated teams from Shelby County. Things don't get any easier for the Buccs as they host Marion Local tomorrow night in a game that will test the Buccs' character.

Scoring Breakdown:
Bert Roeth – 19
Jason Meyer – 14
Jarod Meyer – 10
Josh Burelison – 7
Alex Hague – 5
Derick Brumbaugh – 2

Rebounding Breakdown
Derick Brumbaugh – 6
Jason Meyer – 5
Bert Roeth – 3
Mike Molesky – 2
Matt Maier – 2
Josh Burelison – 1
Jarod Meyer – 1

Bert Roeth Is Making His Own History...
Jason Meyer gets most of the attention on the Buccs' basketball squad and deservingly so. After all, he's second on the Buccs' career scoring list behind only Tom Dunn. Jason is a rare player who only comes along every so often.

There is another Buccaneer player who is quietly making his own mark on the record books. Bert Roeth cracked the top 10 on the school's career scoring list and could conceivably reach into the top 7 or 8. Bert now has 763 career points and trails Ed Barger by 103 points for the 9th spot. To reach the 7th spot currently held by Tim Vogler with 935 points, Bert needs 173 points. To pass Jay Meyer for the 6th spot and join the 1000-point club Bert needs 238 points.

Regardless of how far up the career scoring list Bert Roeth goes, he has already established himself as an elite player. He's never been the so called "go to guy" but he has still put up impressive numbers. During his high school career at Covington, Bert has played on teams that spread the ball around. Three players on this year's team average double digits in scoring so every player has to share the wealth. The fact that both Jason and Bert are in the top ten in career scoring is a credit to both players as well as the players they play with.