Josh Burelison and the Buccs win their fifth straight conference game game this season to improve to 5-0 in the CCC.

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

11/30/01 12/01/01 12/07/01 12/08/01 12/14/01 12/15/01 12/21/01 12/22/01 12/28/01 12/29/01 01/04/02 01/05/02 01/11/02 01/12/02 01/18/02 01/25/02 02/01/02 02/02/02 02/08/02 02/15/02 02/19/02 02/23/02 03/01/02 03/08/02 at Arcanum at Fairlawn Miss. Valley at Tipp City at Franklin Monroe Dayton Christian Newton at Anna Russia Marion Local at National Trail at Milton Union Tri Village Versailles Bethel Twin Valley South Tri County North Miami East at Ansonia at Bradford BRADFORD ANNA FORT LORAMIE CEDARVILLE W 79-47 L 70-76 W 72-49 W 53-49 W 63-53 W 55-50 W 70-39 W 52-49 L 57-58 W 55-47 W 58-43 W 73-53 W 56-45 W 68-56 L 64-68 L 53-55 W 67-64 W 54-47 W 88-51 W 88-65 W 84-55 W 97-58 W 66-50 L 39-48 Team Covington Bethel Tri-County North Tri-Village Twin Valley South Newton Franklin Monroe Arcanum National Trail Ansonia Mississinawa Valley Bradford 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 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

January 4, 2002 – NATIONAL TRAIL
A National Trail Blazer fan made a comment that put the game in perspective. "We played as well as we could play but they were just too good," the fan commented to his friend as they made their way out of the gym. Yes, National Trail played very well but they just couldn't stop the Buccs' big three, Jason Meyer, Jarod Meyer and Bert Roeth. The "Dynamic Trio" accounted for 54 of the Buccs' 58 points in their 58-43 win over the winless Blazers.

After a Jarod Meyer jumper got the Buccs on the scoreboard, Jason Meyer brought the Buccaneer crowd to it's feet with a breakaway slam dunk off of a steal. According to Ron Schultz, who has been a part of Covington athletics during the past 4 decades, it was the first time a Covington player successfully dunked a ball during a game. The dunk got the Buccs rolling as they built a 9-point lead at the end of the first. Jason Meyer (8 points) and Jarod Meyer (11 points) scored all of the Buccs' 19 points in the period and put the Blazers in catch-up mode.

Although National Trail was outgunned they did not fold. Every time it appeared as if the Buccs were going to blow the Blazers out of the gym, National Trail battled back. The Buccs increased their lead to 31-19 on a Jason Meyer jumper with 3:35 left in the first half. The Blazers cut the Buccs' lead to 8 points by halftime and had their hometown crowd thinking upset.

In the third, the Buccs again built a double digit lead. After two Jarod Meyer jumpers and lay-ups by Burelison and Roeth, the Buccs held a 42-29 lead. National Trail scored the next 7 points to cut the lead to 42-36 with under a minute to go in the third. Jarod Meyer drilled a jumper to push the Buccs' lead to 8 at the end of the period.

National Trail cut the Buccs' lead to 5 on a 3-pointer to start the fourth period but that was as close as they would get to the Buccs the rest of the night. Bert Roeth and Jarod Meyer scored all of the Buccs' points in the fourth as the Buccs separated themselves from the Blazers. Down the stretch, the Buccs converted on their free throws which resulted in a 58-43 win.

The Buccs improve to 9-2 on the season and 5-0 in the Cross County Conference. The Buccs travel to Milton Union tomorrow night and battle a tough Bulldog team.

Scoring Breakdown:
Jarod Meyer – 20
Jason Meyer – 18
Bert Roeth – 16
Josh Burelison – 4

Dusty Blythe Is All Smiles...
There is something about Dusty Blythe that makes people like him. There is never a negative word spoken about the kid with the million dollar smile. When he takes the floor the Buccs' crowd (specifically the student body) comes to their feet.

For those who followed Buccs football this past season, you know Dusty very well. He was the Buccs' quarterback the past two seasons and led the Buccs to a 23-2 record the past two season. He missed the entire basketball season last year due to an injury but he did it all with a smile on his face. As a matter of fact, Dusty always has a smile on his face. He seams to enjoy every minute of his high school experience.

Dusty isn't a starter for the Buccs but he is the ultimate team player. According to coach Craft, Dusty never missed a game last season when he was sidelined with his wrist injury. He supported his teammates the entire way. The time he lost in basketball hurt him as far as his own skills progressing but it never hurt his attitude. During introductions it's apparent that he is close to his teammates. He and Josh Burelison have established a bond that results in a "Belly Bump" as Burelison is introduced. When Dusty does get into the game he gives every ounce of effort. He plays basketball with the same intensity and composure that he brought to the football field.

Dusty Blythe is a senior and he will be missed next season. Not because he was a great football player or a determined basketball play; but because the kid with the big smile won't be there. One thing is for sure, when Dusty leaves Covington High School, he will leave it a better place than when he got there. He will also leave people with a good impression of himself.