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| Derek Brumbaugh scored 16 points to lead 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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10-2
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13-7
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Newton
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10-2
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15-5
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Mississinawa Valley
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9-3
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11-9
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Twin Valley South
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8-4
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13-7
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Tri-Village
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8-4
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11-9
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Arcanum
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7-5
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12-8
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Ansonia
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7-5
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11-9
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Franklin Monroe
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5-7
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9-10
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Bethel
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5-7
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9-11
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| Miami East |
4-8 |
5-15 |
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Tri-County North
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3-9
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4-16
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National Trail
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1-11
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1-19
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Bradford
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0-12
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1-19
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January 26, 2007 – PITSBURG
After jumping out to a 23-9 lead with 4:35 left in the first half, the Covington Buccaneers nearly let one slip away in "The Hanger" at Franklin Monroe High School.
Franklin Monroe battled back by cutting the margin to 23-18 at the half and eventually closed to within two points midway through the fourth quarter.
Covington had its chances down the stretch to put the game away at the free throw line, but made just 3 of 8 attempts in the final stanza and 6 of 12 for the game. This left the host Jets a chance to tie the game on the last possession, trailing 44-41.
"We work on free throws all the time, about 20 minutes every night," said Covington coach Roger Craft. "Right now it's a mental thing. The kids have to believe they can step up to the line and make them."
Fortunately for Covington, the defense was on top of its game and prevented Franklin Monroe from getting an open look from behind the arc. With time running out, Franklin Monroe settled on a short jumper by Richie Miller with 3 seconds left and no timeouts.
Covington's then Gene Studebaker held the ball and allowed the clock to expire for a 44-43 victory.
"Great defense tonight, Craft said. "It was a great team effort on that last possession. We were not going to give up the three. We didn't give them an easy look and by the time they got the two, it was too late. They didn't have any timeouts and couldn't stop the clock."
The Buccaneers looked like they were going to run away with the game in the first half.
Gene Studebaker started things off with a trey and a lay-up to spark a 12-7 lead after one.
Covington then scored the first 13 points of the second period to increase the margin to 23-9 with 4:35 left on the clock.
"We came out ready to play," Craft explained. "They kids were making shots and we got on a roll."
Quickly the tied turned as Franklin Monroe closed out the first half with a 9-0 run to close the gap to 23-18 at the break.
"The difference between the first half and the second half was shooting," Craft continued. "Shots were not falling in the second half. We got the ball where we wanted and took good shots. They just were not falling."
Covington could only manage nine third period points on a Derek Brumbaugh jumper, two Corey Patty free throws, and a Seth Mohler jumper and long range trey.
With the Buccs' cold shooting, Franklin Monroe gradually chipped into the lead and cut the margin to 32-28 by quarter's end. Logan Halderman connected on two big three-pointers in the period to spark the comeback.
"Give Franklin Monroe credit," Craft praised. "They aren't very big, but they get after it. We knew coming in from scouting them that they were quick. They frustrate teams with their quickness and hustle."
Covington received a spark to open the fourth quarter as Drew Craft drilled a trey from the baseline.
But Franklin Monroe came right back with a free throw and a jumper to cut the margin back to four, 35-31.
Craft converted a fast break into a lay-up for the Buccs and Derek Brumbaugh followed with a stick back to increased the Covington lead to 39-31 and force a Franklin Monroe timeout with 5:08 left in the game.
"Brummy (Derek Brumbaugh) had a nice game," Craft said. "He had some big baskets in the first half and then got us a big basket there in the fourth quarter that gave us some breathing room."
The momentum quickly swung again as Franklin Monroe scored six straight points to cut the margin to 39-37.
After a missed free throw on a one-and-one, Studebaker tipped the ball in to put Covington back up by four.
The two teams took turns going to the free throw line over the next two minutes as Franklin Monroe converted on 4 of 4 attempts and Covington's Gene Studebaker made 3 of 4 attempts to make the score 44-41 with under one minute to play.
After a missed shot by Franklin Monroe on its next possession, Studebaker pulled down the rebound and was fouled. He went to the free throw line with a chance to seal the game with 30 seconds left.
Both attempts bounced off the iron, leaving Franklin Monroe one last chance to send the game into overtime.
The Buccs clamped down on defense and prevented the game-tying shot. Although surrendering a short runner, the clock expired with Covington holding on for the one-point win.
"The kids were a little disappointed in themselves for not winning bigger," described Craft. "But this (Franklin Monroe) is a tough place to play. The bottom line is we found a way to win and I'll take a win in this gym any way we can get it. It's good that the kids aren't satisfied though - because they'll work harder."
The victory keeps Covington in contention in the Cross County Conference as it improves to 8-7 overall and 6-2 in league play.
"I'm so proud of these kids," Craft said after recording a third straight win. "We've been through some rough times this year, but these kids have always stayed positive and kept working. They continue to listen and do the things we want them to do. I can't be more proud of them."
Covington was led by Derek Brumbaugh with a game-high 16 points. Seth Mohler dropped in 10 points and grabbed 9 rebounds, while Gene Studebaker scored 8 points and pulled down 8 rebounds. Mohler also recorded a team-high 5 assists and 3 blocked shots.
The Buccaneers are back in action Saturday as they host Anna.
Scoring by Quarters:
Covington........................12.......23.......32.......44
Franklin Monroe ................7.......18.......28.......43
Covington Scoring:
Derek Brumbaugh - 16
Seth Mohler - 10
Gene Studebaker - 8
Drew Craft - 5
Kyle Simon - 3
Corey Patty - 2
Franklin Monroe Scoring:
Grant Shellebarger - 16
Logan Halderman - 13
Richie Miller - 4
Ethan Nealeigh - 4
Lane Lucas - 2
Brett Robison - 2
Bill Taylor - 2
Three-Point Scoring:
Covington: Gene Studebaker (1), Seth Mohler (1), Kyle Simon (1), Drew Craft (1)
Franklin Monroe: Logan Halderman (3)
Records: Covington 8-7, Franklin Monroe 9-6
Junior Varisty: Covington 62, Franklin Monroe 59 (2 OT)
