Eric Beckstedt launches a trey for the Buccs in junior varsity action.

2007-08 BASKETBALL LINKS MEET THE 07-08 BUCCANEERS MEET THE 07-08 LADY BUCCS MEET THE 07-08 CHEERLEADERS

2007-08 SCHEDULE 11/01/07 12/08/07 12/14/07 12/18/07 12/21/07 12/22/07 12/29/07 01/04/08 01/05/08 01/11/08 01/12/08 01/18/08 01/19/08 01/22/08 01/25/08 01/26/08 01/29/08 02/01/08 02/02/08 02/08/08 02/19/08 Versailles @ National Trail @ Bethel Ansonia @ Tri-Village Marion Local Russia Newton @ Milton Union @ Mississinawa @ New Bremen Franklin Monroe @ Anna Miami East @ Bradford @ Fairlawn Arcanum Twin Valley South Delphos St. John's @ Tri-County North SECTIONALS 34-30 44-52 61-68 43-57 40-46 26-54 36-59 52-60 53-62 62-54 30-49 41-44 41-73 48-44 70-36 49-43 34-55 55-57 38-61 52-54 33-46 2007-08 CCC STANDINGS Team CCC ALL Twin Valley South 10-1 15-3 Tri-Village 8-1 13-3 Arcanum 8-2 11-6 Franklin Monroe 8-2 10-7 Miami East 6-3 10-6 Bethel 5-4 7-7 Ansonia 5-4 8-8 Covington 3-9 5-15 National Trail 3-7 3-13 Newton 3-6 3-12 Mississinawa Valley 3-8 4-12 Tri-County North 2-8 5-12 Bradford 0-9 1-14

December 29, 2007 - COVINGTON
The Christmas break has been a rough one for the Covington Buccaneers as they had two tough opponents on the schedule in Marion Local last Saturday and Russia tonight.

Despite struggling in both contests, the Buccs know what they need to do to improve in the second half of the season.

"When you play teams like Marion and Russia it lets you know where you stand," said Covington coach Roger Craft after his Buccaneers fell to the Russia Raiders, 59-36. "They (Marion and Russia) showed us two different styles and let us know what we need to work on."

Two aspects of the game the Buccs need to improve on is protecting the ball and rebounding. Covington committed 14 first half turnovers and 18 for the game. The Buccs were also out hustled on the offensive boards 17-6.

"You can't get out rebounded 17-6 on the offensive glass and have 18 turnovers to their 4 and expect to win," Craft explained. "They (Russia) just out hustled us on the boards. It's all about effort and who wants it more. They wanted it more than us."

Covington jumped out to a 6-3 lead on a pair of baskets by Kody Thiebeau and a stick back by Jordy Meyer.

But Russia responded by outscoring Covington 11-4 over the remainder of the first period and followed with a 21-point second period to take a 35-20 lead at the half.

"We can't afford to give up 21 points in a quarter when we are averaging around 40 points a game," Craft explained. "A lot of those points were because we could handle the pressure. Our guards need to do a better job of attacking their pressure."

Covington opened the second half on a 7-4 run to close the gap to 39-27 midway through the third.

In the process Jordy Meyer picked up his fourth foul and was forced to the bench.

Russia took advantage by outscoring Covington 8-4 over the remainder of the period to increase the margin to 47-31.

"Jordy (Meyer) played pretty well and it hurt us when he got into foul trouble," Craft said.

Smelling victory, the Raiders turned up the defensive intensity in the final stanza by forcing four straight Covington turnovers. Two of those resulted in baskets at the other end to push the lead to 51-32.

Covington could only manage five points in the final frame as Russia cruised to a 59-36 win.

"Give Russia credit, they played well," said Craft. "They out hustled us and played like they wanted it more than we did."

Covington was led by Kody Thiebeau with a game-high 17 points and a team-high 8 rebounds.

The Buccs fall to 1-6 on the season after suffering a fifth straight defeat.

Covington hosts Newton next Friday.

Scoring by Quarters:
Russia ..............14......35......47......59
Covington ........10......20......31......36

Russia Scoring:
Schafer - 15
Zumberger - 15
Hoying - 10
Francis - 7
Toller - 7
Grogean - 4
Rittenhouse - 1

Covington Scoring:
Thiebeau - 17
Meyer - 9
Burelison - 4
Lavey - 2
Craft - 2
Sparks - 1
Christian - 1

Three-Point Scoring:
Russia: Schafer (2)
Covington: Burelison (1)