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Jason Meyer drives the lane for 2 of his 18 points in the Buccs' 66-50 win over Fort Loramie in the Sectional Finals.
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Team
Covington
Bethel
Tri-County North
Tri-Village
Twin Valley South
Newton
Franklin Monroe
Arcanum
National Trail
Ansonia
Mississinawa Valley
Bradford
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CCC
9-2
9-2
9-2
9-2
8-3
6-5
5-6
4-7
3-8
2-9
2-9
0-11
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ALL
16-4
16-4
16-4
14-6
15-5
10-10
9-11
5-15
5-15
4-16
3-17
0-20
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March 1, 2002 – PIQUA
When the shots are not dropping a great shooting team can fall victim to panic. Fortunately for the Buccs, they have a solid defense that can keep a game close until they find their stroke.
That was the case tonight against Fort Loramie in the Sectional Finals. The Buccs had a hard time early finding the bottom of the net but they leaned on their defense to get them through the stages where they were struggling on offense. The result was a hard fought win where the final score of 66-50 was no indication of how close the game really was.
Fort Loramie made life difficult for the Buccs early as they held the Buccs to 10 first quarter points. The Buccs benefited by two 3-pointers, one each by Josh Burelison and Jason Meyer as well as a defense that held Loramie to only 13 points of their own.
After a Redskin lay-up to begin the second period the Buccs went on a 9-3 run to take a 19-18 lead with 4:30 to go in the half. Three straight jumpers by Jason Meyer, Bert Roeth and Jarod Meyer extended the Buccs' lead to 25-20 at the half.
In the third, the Buccs continued to play steady defense while the offense did just enough to gradually increase their lead. Jarod Meyer started off the third with a lay-up and then nailed a jumper to put the Buccs up 29-22. Jason Meyer increased the lead to 31-22 before Loramie responded with a 3-point play on a lay-up and a free throw. Josh Burelison nailed two jumpers and Bert Roeth canned another to put the Buccs up 38-25 that forced a Fort Loramie time-out. After a Derick Brumbaugh lay-in Loramie scored on three straight buckets to cut the Buccs' lead to 40-31 after three quarters of play.
Fort Loramie cut the Buccs' lead to 6 on a 3-pointer to start off the fourth but that was as close as they would get the rest of the way. Bert Roeth dropped in two lay-ups and Josh Burelison knocked down a jumper and Loramie was forced to foul. The Buccs converted on 18 out of 22 free throws in the final 5 minutes of the contest to seal the deal.
On the night for the Buccs Bert Roeth led all scorers with 21 points and 5 assists while Jason Meyer scored 18 of his own. Josh Burelison was dominating on both ends of the floor for the Buccs as he scored 15 points while recording 5 steals and 3 assists. Jarod Meyer was the fourth Buccaneer in double figures with 10 points.
The Buccs forced 20 turnovers on the night while scoring on 48% of their shots from the field.
Next the Buccs face Cedarville in a rematch of last season's last second thriller in the tournament. The game will be next Friday night at UD Arena at 6:00 pm.
One Game At A Time...
"It's like deja vu all over again," Yogi once said, "only it keeps happening."
It must seem so for the Buccs after Friday's convincing win over Ft. Loramie to advance to another district finals. Same time...same month...same Friday night...same arena. Could it get any weirder? Sure. How 'bout the same opponent? Yep, even the same Cedarville Indians that Jason Meyer and the Buccs beat with a last-second jumper last March.
"They're another good team again," said Roger Craft on post-game radio after the Loramie win. "They don't have Nick Trimbach, but they do have some size, they're well coached...and they will have some motivation for revenge."
Revenge, in and of itself, wins very few basketball games. Teams who shoot, defend and rebound typically win basketball games and by that criteria the Buccs would appear to be in good shape. They have more shooters, have defended well in recent weeks and like the Duke Blue Devils, seem to be able to win those games in which they get out-rebounded. But Roger Craft is taking nothing for granted.
"One game at a time...and it happens to be Cedarville," continued a relieved. but obivously focused Craft. "We're not looking ahead. We're not even thinking about what might lie beyond. The kids just want to play one more basketball game...and then one after that. Anything's possible if you keep taking care of business."
To be sure, anything is possible, and familiarity may work to some advantage. Looking at the Southwest region, there's more than one familiar opponent (call it deja vu) that may lie ahead. Russia is a strong candidate to advance. The Buccs saw them during Christmas break and lost by a single point with a something-less-than-hoped-for performance. Stranger yet, if Marion Local keeps winning, could they show up again? One night after the Russia game the Buccs defeated them at home, still without their best effort. And believe it or not, the same school that knocked Covington out of the football playoffs...Southeastern and Brian Cooper...is ranked number one and they'll be there someplace after eliminating Bethel on Friday night.
"You take the best teams going into the districts...and the regionals if we get that far...and Covington is as good as anyone they'll likely see for the rest of the tournament," said former coach Bob Huelsman after the Loramie win. "I had a lot of good players, but never so many who could shoot on one team...and never so many seniors with competitive experience...and that has to make you feel good. With Bethel out of the mix, I'd take our chance against anyone 'cause I don't know how you'd prepare for Witt."
"I suppose there is some pressure to win, but we're practicing and playing as well as this group has ever played," said Craft. "You really get the sense that all their motivation is about playing just one more game...one game at a time."
If they can keep doing that...it'll be good enough!
The Quiet Factor...
Of the kids in his class, he was one of the first to be heralded. He is, after all, a Covington legacy. He's a three-year starter at guard...one of the four "scorers", an athlete, all-state in football, quick, scrappy...competitive. There was the concussion last February that cut his junior year short and left those to question how well he would come back from such a terrible fall. Off to a slow start offensively for the first half of the current season...and Jarod Meyer manning the point-guard position, how do you redefine your role when much is at stake and a short half season left to play?
Josh Burelison has dealt with all the above...the expectations, the injury and the slow start this season. He's done it all in typical fashion...with action rather than words. You see, Josh Burelison is not one to talk about himself, not one to publicly complain about the bad times. Josh Burelison is a player.
"I can't imagine this team without Josh's influence," says Roger Craft. "His hustle and hard work at both ends of the court cannot be missed. Even when the shots weren't falling he never let down on defense and intensity. He's a leader and we're all happy that his shot has come around."
His hustle and intensity have taken care of defining his role, and to be sure, he has hit some big shots over the past six weeks.
"Two shots against Loramie really stand out," continued Craft. "The three (three pointer) at the beginning was big 'cause it got us started...and the two from the wing when they'd cut it to six sort of took the wind out of their run."
They were senior plays and typify the way Josh has played over the current season. No one wrote about them in the paper and the people who recognized the impact were those who were there and understood best...coaches and teammates.
He has the admiration of his opponents as evidenced by Arcanum coach, Richard Cline's comments.
"Josh is dangerous at both ends because of his hustle. He can steal it from you and out-run everyone for the score. Moreover, he's played without big numbers in the face of high expectation and that's really hard on a kid that age. I have nothing but respect for him."
The injury...a concussion due to a fall against Ansonia last February...left everyone who witnessed it in near shock. Parents, students and fans looked on in horror as Josh lay on the court struggling for breath and life. It was as bad an accident as any who saw it could remember in basketball. As a community, a collective sigh of relief came at the news that physically he would be fine. Psychologically, he proved to be100% when football came in August. He ran with the same moves and toughness that he'd previously exhibited. It was the same old Josh.
There can't be a better story or a more fitting tribute this season than that paid to Josh Burelison by those who know him best. Athlete, student and symbol of Covington pride...our best to Josh and the Buccs for this weekend, and hopefully, many more!
