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| Gene Studebaker drilled four treys on his way to a 22-point night. |
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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 19, 2007 – COVINGTON
When you're riding a two-game skid and on the short end of five of the last six games, it's time for the senior leaders to step up.
That's what Covington needed and got Friday night as it pulled away from a gutsy Mississinawa Valley team down the stretch for a 63-51 win.
"Our seniors stepped up and made plays when we needed them," said a pleased Covington coach Roger Craft. "Gene (Studebaker) had a big night. Seth Mohler had a double-double. And Derek Brumbaugh had some big shots down the stretch."
As much of an impact as the seniors had, the bench played a significant roll by putting in its best performance of the season.
"Kyle Simon really did a nice job coming in and making some shots," Craft praised. "Jordy (Burelison) and (Andy) Sparks gave us some solid minutes off the bench as well."
The Buccaneers needed some big time performances as Mississinawa Valley took it to Covington from the opening tip.
The Black Hawks jumped out to a 10-2 lead to force Covington to take a timeout just 3:17 into the game. In the process, Covington's 6'6" Center, Derek Brumbaugh was forced to the bench after picking up two quick fouls.
"We got off to a sluggish start," Craft explained. "Brummy (Brumbaugh) ended up on the bench in the first two minutes and they (Mississinawa) got out on a run. It took us a while to get going."
Covington got going thanks to a big first half from Kyle Simon and some timely treys by Studebaker.
Simon came in to fill Brumbaugh's void and had an immediate impact with a short jumper.
Studebaker followed with a tip-in and a trey to cut the margin to 13-9.
Jordy Burelison streaked down the floor for a lay-up after Seth Mohler pulled down a rebound and hit him in stride to cut the Black Hakws lead to 15-11 after one period of play.
Studebaker opened the second period with a trey and then followed with a jumper to give the Buccs their first lead of the contest. 16-15.
After five straight Mississinawa points, Covington tied the score at 21-21 on a Mohler jumper and a Kyle Simon trey with 3:17 left in the half.
Mississinawa responded with a pair of baskets by Wes Gelhaus to take a four-point lead with just under 1:00 left on the clock.
Covington closed out the half with some momentum as Mohler scored on a lay-up and Simon drilled another jumper right before the buzzer to tie the score at 25-25 at the break.
"That was a big shot by Kyle," Craft said. "It gave us some momentum heading into the lock room. He (Simon) really stepped up tonight with Brummy (Derek Brumbaugh) on the bench for 14 minutes in the first half."
As they had done throughout the first half, the visiting Black Hawks stole back the momentum by scoring the first four points of the second half, including a two-handed slam by Gelhaus.
Covington took the lead right back on two-straight possessions as Studebaker canned a trey and Mohler scored on a three-point play to make the score 31-29 and spark a 12-2 Covington run.
Mississinawa cut the Covington lead to 37-36 with five straight free throws, two coming due to a Buccaneer technical foul.
"We need to keep our heads," said Craft in regards to the unnecessary foul. "We just can't have that."
Fortunately for Covington, there was enough time left on the clock for Studebaker to work some magic and give the Buccs some momentum heading into the final quarter of play.
The senior pulled down a long rebound and launched a buzzer-beating trey that hit nothing but net to increase the Covington lead to 40-36.
"That was as big of a shot as we've had in a while," Craft said. "It was an athletic move by Gene to pull down the rebound and get off a good shot before the buzzer."
This time the Buccs wouldn't give the momentum back as they opened the fourth period with a 15-4 run, as seven of those points came from Seth Mohler.
"Getting the momentum at the end of the third was huge, but it was just as big to put together a nice run to start the fourth," said Craft. "Seth (Mohler) had a nice pass to Drew (Craft) under the basket to get us going and then he had some nice stick backs."
Trailing 55-40 with time running out, Mississinawa was forced to send Covington to the free throw line in an attempt to get back into the game.
The Buccaneers responded by converting on 11 of 20 free throws in the final stanza to secure the win.
"Good team effort," Craft said of his team's performance. "We took care of the ball and attacked their zone (defense) better. It was a nice win for us."
Studebaker led all performers with a game-high 22 points, including four successful attempts from behind the arc. The senior also pulled down 7 rebounds and dished out 6 assists.
Seth Mohler recorded a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds and recorded 5 blocked shots.
Derek Brumbaugh scored 7 points and grabbed 8 rebounds, all coming in the second half.
Kyle Simon came off the bench for 7 points.
The Buccaneers converted on 23 of 43 shots from the field and 5 of 11 from behind the arc. Covington was also 12 of 22 from the free throw line, 11 of 20 in the fourths quarter alone.
Mississinawa was led by Wes Gelhaus with 20 points and 12 rebounds.
The Black Hawks converted on 18 of 52 from the field, 0-8 from behind the arc and 15 of 20 from the charity stripe.
The victory improves Covington's record to 6 of 7 overall and 6-2 in Cross County Conference play.
The Buccs are at home Saturday against New Bremen non-conference action.
Scoring by Quarters:
Mississinawa .........15......25.....36.......51
Covington ............11......25.....40.......63
Covington Scoring:
Studebaker - 22
Mohler - 16
Simon - 7
Brumbaugh - 7
Patty - 6
Craft - 3
Burelison - 2
Mississinawa Valley Scoring:
Gelhaus - 20
Dickey - 10
Claywell - 9
Harris - 6
Wicker - 2
Brunk - 2
Three-Point Scoring:
Covington: Studebaker (4), Simon (1)
Mississinawa Valley: None
