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| Dusty Kimmel came up big inside the paint for the Buccs. |
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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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January 27, 2006 – COVINGTON
The Covington Buccaneers took a big step in challenging for the Cross County Conference title with a 53-47 win over Tri-Village in a contest between the only two unbeaten teams in conference play.
"This is a big win in regards to conference play," said a pleased Covington coach Roger Craft. "We still have some key league games against Bethel and Twin valley South, but this was a key game because we are now the only team without a conference loss."
The action on the floor was everything that's to be expected from two quality teams with a lot at stake. The game not only had significant conference implications on the line, but a higher tournament seed could be obtained for the winner in Saturday's tournament draw.
"With the tournament draw tomorrow, we had a little extra incentive," said Craft. "They (Tri-Village) did too, so we knew we would be getting their best effort."
The visiting Patriots did give their best effort as they opened the contest with a jumper by Sam Lindamood.
Covington's Dusty Kimmel got the Buccs on the board moments later by converting on a three-point play with a basket and a free throw.
Lindamood responded with another jumper to give the Patriots the lead right back, 4-3. Unfortunately for Tri-Village, it would be its final lead of the contest as Darin Rhoades and Seth Mohler both connected on treys to lead the Buccs to a 15-12 advantage after the first period. Kimmel was also big for the Buccs as he scored seven points in the period.
"Dusty Kimmel had a nice night for us inside," said Craft. "He kind of kept us going in the first half because we wasn't able to get out and run very much. This was the first time in a while we saw a junk defense."
Covington put the clamps on Lindamood through the remainder of the first half by holding him to just two free throws in the second stanza. Still, the Patriots managed to close the gap to 23-22 at the half as Derek Crowning and Mark Wheeler came up big with eight of Tri-Village's ten points in the stanza.
"We rushed some shots in the first half," said Craft. "We were a little keyed up. I'm not sure if it was that the crowd was into it so much or if we were just a little off."
The Buccs settled won in the second half took command of the contest in the third period by outscoring tri-Village 15-6 in the stanza.
Darin Rhoades opened the second half with a runner and Gene Studebaker followed up with a trey to push Covington's lead to 28-22.
After a basket by the Patriots' Logan Brubaker, Covington scored eight straight points on two consecutive baskets by Dusty Kimmel, a jumper by Rhoades and a lay-up by Seth Mohler.
The Buccs then received another jumper by Rhoades in between two Tri-Village baskets by Daniel Foreman and Sam Lindamood for a 38-28 lead with 8:00 left to play.
Covington found some difficulties in the final period as both Dusty Kimmel and Seth Mohler found themselves on the bench for significant periods of time in foul trouble and both eventually fouled out in the final minutes.
Sam Lindamood responded with Kimmel and Mohler on the bench as he knocked down 14 of his game-high 22 points in the final period.
Still, Covington had enough firepower down the stretch to hold on for a 53-47 win.
"Seth Mohler did an outstanding job on Lindamood," said Craft. "He (Lindamood) is very athletic, but Seth was able to hold him in check over the first three quarters. It hurt when Seth was not in the game."
With the win Covington improves to 12-2 overall and 8-0 in the Cross County Conference, while Tri-Village drops to 9-5 and 7-1 in the CCC.
Sam Lindamood led all players with 22 points, but the Buccs had three players score in double digits with Darin Rhoades leading the way with 18 points. Richard Canan scored 14 points, while Dusty Kimmel dropped in 11 points.
Covington took care of the ball very well as it only turned the ball over six times, while forcing 10 turnovers.
Tri-Village held a slim edge on the boards with 26 rebounds to 23 for Covington, but the Buccs shot well from behind the arc, making 6 of 14 attempts.
Covington is back in action tonight at Anna in non-conference action.
Scoring by Quarters:
Covington .........15..........23...........38.........53
Tri-Village .........12..........22...........28.........47
Covington Scoring:
Darin Rhoades - 18
Richard Canan - 14
Dusty Kimmel - 11
Seth Mohler - 5
Gene Studebaker - 4
Nick Meyer - 1
Tri-Village:
Sam Lindamood - 22
Daniel Foreman - 12
Derek Chowning - 4
Logan Brubaker - 2
Taylor Brubaker - 2
Three-Point Scoring:
Covington: Richard Canan (3), Seth Mohler (1), Gene Studebaker (1), Darin Rhoades (1)
Tri-Village: Sam Lindamood (2), Daniel Foreman (1)
