Untitled Page
 |
|
Dustin Kimmel fights for a rebound in the Buccs' loss to Fairlawn.
|
|
|
Untitled Page
|
Untitled Page
 |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
Team
|
CCC
|
ALL
|
|
Ansonia
|
10-1
|
16-4
|
|
Twin Valley South
|
9-2
|
15-5
|
|
National Trail
|
7-4
|
14-6
|
|
Franklin Monroe
|
7-3
|
10-8
|
|
Covington
|
7-4
|
11-10
|
|
Tri-Village
|
6-5
|
9-11
|
|
Tri-County North
|
5-6
|
9-11
|
|
Arcanum
|
4-7
|
9-11
|
|
Bethel
|
5-6
|
8-12
|
|
Newton
|
2-9
|
4-16
|
|
Mississinawa Valley
|
2-9
|
4-16
|
|
Bradford
|
0-11
|
0-20
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
November 27, 2004 – COVINGTON
The Covington Buccaneers knew coming into the 2004-05 basketball season that the opening weekend of the season would be tough. After all, the Buccs' first two opponents, Ansonia and Fairlawn, had solid teams a year ago and both teams retained much of their rosters.
After falling by four points to Ansonia Friday night to open the season, the Buccs found themselves on the short end of a 64-57 decision against Fairlawn Saturday.
"We knew this weekend would be tough, but we felt we were capable of winning despite the talent they had coming back," said Covington coach Roger Craft after the Buccs' second straight defeat. "That's because we have a good basketball team ourselves and we still feel we are a good basketball team."
With good reason. The Buccs were in both contests and had opportunities to capture wins, but fell short down the stretch of both games.
"Ansonia was 18-2 last year going into the tournament and lost by a last second three to a team that went to the big show," continued Craft. "Fairlawn was one win away from going to state themselves and that doesn't happen by accident. They are pretty darn good."
Covington jumped on Fairlawn early and surged to a 15-3 lead. Buckets by Gene Studebaker, Seth Mohler Dustin Kimmel and a trey by Rhoades led to the early lead and forced Fairlawn to take a timeout with 4:16 left in the first.
The Jets, sparked by a 3-pointer by Andy Francis, scored 9 unanswered points to cut the margin to 15-12 with 1:04 left on the clock. Rhoades pushed the lead to 17-12 with a jumper to end the first quarter.
Covington's Seth Mohler was the Buccaneer offense in the second period as he accounted for the Buccs' first 9 points of the period, including one coming from behind the arch. Rhoades connected on a second trey as Covington managed 12 points in the stanza.
Fairlawn, meanwhile continued its hot shooting before the half as they tallied 14 second quarter points, including 8 by Andy Francis.
Fairlawn made its move in the third as they scored 7 straight points to take its first lead of the contest.
Covington continued to struggle shooting the ball and only managed 10 points in the third, while Fairlawn increased its lead to 47-39 with 8:00 to play.
Despite their offensive struggles, the Buccs found a way to battle back into the contest throughout the final period. Covington closed the gap to 61-55 as Darin Rhoades led the way with 10 of his team high 24 points in the fourth.
Time wasn't on Covington side, however and the Buccs were forced to sent the Jets to the foul line. Fairlawn converted 11 of 15 free throws in the final period to seal the 64-57 win.
"We know where we stand," said Craft in regards to his teams performance over the weekend. "We played two great teams and we were right there. We would have liked to come out with a win or two, but the great thing about it is, we'll improve. We have 18 games left before the tournament and we know we'll be a much better basketball team by then. The experience this weekend was good for us."
Along with Darin Rhoades' 24 points, sophomore Seth Mohler dropped in a career high 17 points.
Fairlawn was led by Andy Francis with a game-high 30 points and 14 points by Richie Beard.
Covington drops to 0-2 on the season and looks to get into the win column Friday as they host rival, Bradford.
Scoring by quarters:
Covington...............17......29......39......57
Fairlawn..................12......26......47......64
Covington Scoring:
Darin Rhoades - 24
Seth Mohler - 17
Dustin Kimmel – 8
Gene Studebaker – 8
Fairlawn Scoring:
Andy Francis – 30
Richie Beard – 14
Scott Heckman – 8
Craig Henman – 6
Eric Slonkocky – 6
