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Gene Studebaker scores on a first half lay-up in the Buccs' loss to South.
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Team
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CCC
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ALL
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Ansonia
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10-1
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16-4
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Twin Valley South
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9-2
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15-5
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National Trail
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7-4
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14-6
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Franklin Monroe
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7-3
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10-8
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Covington
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7-4
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11-10
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Tri-Village
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6-5
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9-11
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Tri-County North
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5-6
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9-11
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Arcanum
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4-7
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9-11
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Bethel
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5-6
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8-12
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Newton
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2-9
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4-16
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Mississinawa Valley
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2-9
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4-16
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Bradford
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0-11
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0-20
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January 4, 2005 – WEST ALEXANDRIA
The Covington faithful who made the 45 minute trip to West Alexandria saw two different Covington teams in the same game.
The first Buccaneer team torched the nets for 40 points in the first half, while playing nearly flawless basketball.
The second managed just three second half field goals and a total of 16 points in the final 16:00.
The end result was Covington's ninth defeat of the season by the score of 60-56 at the hands of Twin Valley South.
"It's frustrating," said Covington coach Roger Craft in regards to the second half performance. "To play so well in the first half and then struggle in the second half, it's disappointing."
Covington ran up and down the floor in the first half by pulling down rebounds and getting the ball out for easy baskets in transition. Even when the Buccs had to set up their offense, patients and precise passing led to open looks at the basket.
The result was a 20-16 advantage after one and a 40-31 lead at the half.
All five Covington starters scored in the first half, with Darin Rhoades and Dusty Kimmel leading the way with 14 and 10 points respectively.
"It seemed like everything we got in the first half was a lay-up," Craft said. "We rebounded well and got the ball out quickly. We had some nice bounce passes and backdoor cuts for easy baskets."
Everything changed in the first minute of the second half as South's Dusty Bassler opened the third with a long trey with just seven seconds off the clock.
After a Darin Rhoades jumper, the Buccs went nearly 6:00 without scoring a point and committing five turnovers in the scoring droubt. All the while, South scored seven unanswered points, including a dunk by Tyler Loxley, which brought the Panther faithful to their feet.
With their lead cut to 42-41, Covington finally broke the ice with two free throws by Richard Canan. South closed out the third with a trey by Clavin Bryant to notch the score at 44-44 with 8:00 to play.
"At the half, I told the kids to just keep making plays, but you can't get out in transition if you don't rebound the basketball," commented coach Craft on how the game turned at the half. "Plus, we didn't take care of the ball and they (South) were able to get out in transition and get easy baskets of their own. Rebounding and turnovers were a big factor in the second half."
Despite their offensive struggles, the Buccs still had every opportunity to escape with the win. The Buccs' only field goal in the final period was a lay-up by Gene Studebaker, but Covington managed to convert on 10 of 12 free throws in the fourth period and tied the score at 56-56 with 52 seconds left.
After a South timeout, the Panthers stalled time off the clock to set up for the final shot. With 4.3 seconds left, Dale Spitler canned a jumper from the foul line to give the Panthers a 58-56 lead.
The Buccs had one last chance to at least tie the score, but the ensuing in-bounds pass went out of play, giving the Panthers the ball back.
Spitler was fouled once the ball was put back into play and the junior knocked down both free throws to send the Buccs home with a 60-56 loss.
Covington was led by Darin Rhoades with 18 points, Dusty Kimmel with 14 points, and Richard Canan with 10.
The Buccs shot 17 of 37 from two-point range, 3 of 10 from behind the arc, and 13-21 from the free throw line. South conncted on 14 of 29 two-pointers, 7 of 27 from behind the arc, and 11 of 13 from the line.
Both teams pulled down 22 rebounds and Covington committed 11 turnovers to South's 12.
The Buccs drop to 9-9 overall and 6-4 in the CCC. Covington host Anna on Tuesday in a make-up came.
Scoring by Quarters:
Covington ........20......40......44......56
TV South ..........16......31......44......60
Covington Scoring:
Darin Rhoades – 18
Dusty Kimmel – 14
Richard Canan – 10
Gene Studebaker – 9
Seth Mohler – 5
TV South Scoring:
Derek Smith – 20
Dustin Bassler – 12
Tyler Loxley – 12
Dale Spitler – 9
Calvin Bryant – 3
Cory Bassler – 2
Bryan Nuse – 2
3-point Scoring:
Covington: Darin Rhoades (2), Richard Canan (1)
TV South: Dustin Bassler (3), Tyler Loxley (2), Calvin Bryant (1), Dale Spitler (1)
Reserve Score: TV South 43, Covington 26
