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| Gene Studebaker drives for two of his 12 points on the night. |
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| Can't start 'em too young...little Jaden Hicks is the latest of Buccaneer loyalists. |
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Team
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CCC
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ALL
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Covington
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10-1
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16-4
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Bethel
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10-1
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15-5
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Tri-Village
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9-2
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13-7
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Twin Valley South
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8-3
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15-5
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Arcanum
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8-3
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15-5
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Newton
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5-6
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7-13
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Ansonia
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5-6
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8-12
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Franklin Monroe
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4-7
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5-15
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Mississinawa Valley
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3-8
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6-14
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Tri-County North
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3-8
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6-14
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National Trail
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1-10
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1-19
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Bradford
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0-11
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1-19
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December 29, 2005 – COVINGTON
Covington head basketball coach Roger Craft could not be more happier with his team's performance in a grueling final week of 2005. Tuesday the Buccs battled highly regarded Russia into overtime before falling 70-63 and Friday the Buccs defeated an old nemesis from up north in Marion Local, 45-42.
"I very pleased with the way the kids have played to this point," said Craft. "The Russia game could have went either way and tonight we beat a quality team (Marion Local). I'm very pleased with were we are at at this point in the season."
Marion Local entered the game with an 0-3 record, which is very misleading considering the competition they have played.
"They are not your typical 0-4 team," continued Craft after the Buccs handed Marion it's fourth straight loss. "They are scrappy, athletic and physical. We knew coming in that this would be a battle."
Covington was up to the challenge as it jumped out to a 17-10 lead after one period of play thanks to two treys by Darin Rhoades, six points from Gene Studebaker, a lay-up off of a steal by Richard Canan and a pair of free throws.
"Darin made some big shots in the first half," said Craft. "After the Russia game we were a little disappointed in our three-point shooting. Knowing Marion was big underneath, we spent a little more time in practice kicking the ball out for open three's. Darin (Rhoades), Richard (Canan), Gene (Studebaker), and Seth (Mohler) all hit on some big three's."
Any thoughts of a Covington blowout win were put to rest as the Flyers closed the gap to three points by half time. Baskets by Damon Bertke, Greg Hartings, Greg Gehret, Mitch Thobe and a pair of free throws by Curtis Moeller closed the gap in a hurry.
Covington was able to keep Marion at bey as Rhoades and Seth Mohler canned two three-bombs in the stanza as the teams went into the break with the score 25-22 at the half.
"They (Marion Local) are a scrappy team," complimented Craft. "It's hard to get good looks against them because they play such great defense."
The host Buccs opened the second half with a Richard Canan trey to push the lead to 28-22, but Marion responded with a basket by Sam Schwieterman to cut the Covington lead to four.
Dusty Kimmel responded with a ten-footer and a Richard Canan runner to give the Buccs their largest lead of the contest, 32-24.
After a free throw by Chris Stucke and a Greg Hartings lay-up gave Marion some momentum, Gene Studebaker drilled a long-range trey to push the lead back to eight points with under 1:00 left in the third.
The Flyers closed out the stanza with a potential three-point play by Schieterman, but the free throw attempt was off the mark making the score 35-29 with the final period to go.
Covington found the cold shooting hand in the fourth, but managed to make enough plays down the stretch to seal the win. Just four shot attempts by the Buccs found the bottom of the net, but none was bigger than the put-back by Derek Brumbaugh with 52 seconds left in the game.
The Flyers had just cut the Covington lead to 41-40 when the Buccs had a chance to increase the margin at the free throw line on a one-and-one. The first attempt was off the mark, but Brumbaugh managed to keep the ball alive, pull down the rebound and put the ball through to give the Buccs a 43-40 lead.
"That was a big play by Derek," said Craft. "Brummy (Brumbaugh) stepped up with a big offensive rebound and put it back in crunch time."
Any celebration on the Covington side of the court was premature as the Flyers scored in a hurry of a basket by Damon Bertke to cut the Buccaneer lead to one, 43-42.
Needed another chance to get the ball back, Marion elected to foul and send Covington to the line for a one-and-one. This time Darin Rhoades canned both attempts, leaving the Flyers with a last ditch effort to send the game to overtime with a three. The Flyers never got the shot off as the Covington defense pressured the ball until the buzzer sounded, much to the delight of the Covington faithful.
The win over Marion Local is Covington's first since 2001, which only makes this win that much more special.
"We'll take it," concluded Craft in regards to the Buccaneer victory. "Any time you can get a win, especially against a good basketball team, it's a big win."
Leading the Buccaneers in scoring was Darin Rhoades with a game-high 16 points and Gene Studebaker with 12 points.
Marion Local held the advantage on the boards with 26 rebounds to Covington's 22. The Flyers also held a slim advantage in turnovers with 7 to Covington's 8.
The difference in the contest was shooting from behind the arc as Covington connected on 6 of 11 three-point attempts to Marion's 0 of 11 three-point attempts.
Covington (6-1) begins a new year on the road next Friday at Franklin Monroe.
Scoring by Quarters:
Covington ..........17...........25.........35..........45
Marion Local ......10..........22.........29..........42
Covington Scoring:
Darin Rhoades – 16
Gene Studebaker – 12
Richard Canan – 8
Seth Mohler – 4
Dusty Kimmel – 3
Derek Brumbaugh – 2
Marion Local:
Damon Burtke – 8
Curtis Moeller – 7
Mitch Thobe – 6
Dan Moeller – 4
Ryan Stucke – 4
Greg Gehret – 4
Greg Hartings – 4
Sam Schwieterman – 4
Chris Stucke – 1
3-Point Scoring:
Covington: Darin Rhoades (3), Richard Canan (1), Gene Studebaker (1), Seth Mohler (1)
Marion Local: none
