Matt McCord and the Buccs had a difficult time getting to the basket thanks to tough Versailles defense and the likes of Joe Shardo.

2003-04 Season Preview 2003-04 Covington Buccaneers 2003-04 Buccaneer Cheerleaders Matt McCord – CCC Player of the Year

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January 19, 2004 – COVINGTON
If you have any hopes of knocking off the fourth-ranked Division III team in the state, you better take care of the basketball and take advantage of your opportunities from the foul line.

The Covington boys did neither Monday night and the result was a 68-40 loss to unbeaten Versailles.

The Buccs trailed just 18-14 midway through the second quarter. That's when
Tiger Ball, hardwood style, took its toll. Versailles went on an 18-3 run to close the first half and open the second half to
open an insurmountable 36-17 lead and cruise to victory.

"I think we stepped it up defensively in the second half," Versailles coach Roger McEldowney said. "I think we were probably a little too physical in the first half instead of just playing defense."

And Covington coach Roger Craft had to be shaking his head at halftime after the
Buccs converted on just three of 11 free throws in the second quarter.

"That is the first thing we talked about at halftime," Craft said about his team's 27-15 deficit. "If we make those, it is a different game. It is a tight game and we have the adrenaline flowing, instead of being down 12."

After Matt McCord opened the second half with a field goal, the Tigers took control.

Kyle Gehle, who scored 18 of his 25 points in the second half, scored three straight fastbreak baskets off Tiger steals as Versailles blew the game open.

"We have been working on two-on-one drills and we are getting pretty good at it," McEldowney said. "The more uptempo the better for us. We just have a lot of outstanding athletes. Kyle (Gehle) got on a roll and that is always good for us. We hit some big threes. Ben Shappie hit one. Joe Shardo and Ryan McNeilan each hit one (in the first quarter). Kyle (Gehle) hit one (late in the first half) and that gave us a cushion."

And when the Tigers get a fastbreak opportunity, don't blink or you will miss the basket.

"They are going to make you pay for every mistake," Craft said. "They just have so much athleticism. All it takes is a deflected pass and they are going down for two points. They had a couple of runs like that in the second half. Every time we seemed to have the momentum going our way, something like that would happen."

Ryan McNeilan hit a three to give Versailles a 13-10 cushion after one quarter and it stayed close until late in the first half.

"Versailles is a great team," Craft said. "We just have to regroup from this and get better."

Gehle had six rebounds to go with his scoring. Shappie had 10 points, while McNeilan scored nine. Shardo added nine points and seven rebounds.

Gene Studebaker scored 10 points to lead Covington. Ross Mohler had eight rebounds and McCord pulled down seven.

Versailles was 23 of 49 from the floor for the game for 47 percent and 16 of 27 from the line for 59 percent. Covington was 12 of 40 from the floor for 30 percent and 12 of 23 from the line for 52 percent.

Covington outrebounded Versailles 30-28, but committed 18 turnovers to the Tigers 11.

Covington hosts Tri-Village Friday, while Versailles will entertain New Knoxville.

– Rob Kiser, Piqua Daily Call

Scoring by quarters:
Covington..........10....15......25.....40
Versailles...........13....27......49.....68

Records:
Covington – 8-5, Versailles – 9-0

Reserve score:
Versailles 61, Covington 54 2 OT

Covington Scoring:
Gene Studebaker – 10
Dustin Kimmel – 6
Matt McCord – 6
Darin Rhoades – 5
Brady Reck – 3
Tyler Moore – 3
Ross Mohler – 3
Dusty Rhodes – 2
Richard Canan – 2

Versailles Scoring:
Kyle Gehel – 25
Ben Shappie – 10
Joe Shardo – 9
Ryan McNeilan – 9
Bart Schmitz – 6
Paul Borchers – 6
Kevin Paulis – 3

3-point field goals:
Covington: Darin Rhoades, Brady Reck, Gene Studebaker, Tyler Moore.
Versailles: Ben Shappie, Kyle Gehle (3), Ryan McNeilan, Joe Shardo.