Senior Kody Thiebeau scores on a fast break.

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

February 1, 2008 – COVINGTON
The Covington Buccaneers took Cross County Conference leader Twin Valley South to the limit Friday night, only to fall short 57-55.

In spite of the loss, Covington coach Roger Craft couldn't have been more proud of the effort his team gave.

"I'm very proud of these kids," he said. "We out hustled them, out rebounded them and I thought we out played them. We just came up one shot or a free throw here and there short of getting the win."

Covington did play well as it held a statistical advantage in every category but free throw shooting. The Buccs only shot 50% from the line on seven of 14 attempts, while South was 10 for 13 for 77%.

"If there is one thing to point to as the difference, I'd say it's that (free throw shooting)," Craft said. "In a close game like this free throws are important and we didn't shoot them as well as they did."

The visiting Panthers stormed out quickly for a 5-0 lead on consecutive possessions.

But Covington went on an 11-0 run as Buccaneer defenders made it difficult for South shooters to get open looks from behind the arc.

The Panthers thrive on the long-range shots, but only connected on seven of 28 for the game.

"We did a very good job of getting out on their shooters," Craft stated. "It was hustle and effort."

But the Panthers are a dangerous team that can score in bunches.

Covington found out first hand as a Panther trey closed the gap to 11-8 after one and another trey tied the score to start the second period.

"They (Twin Valley South) are a good basketball team," Craft said. "You have to be on your toes defensively because they can score in a hurry."

After Covington outscored the Panthers 17-13 in the second to take a 28-21 half time lead, the Buccs pushed the lead to double digits late in the third period, 43-32.

But in a blink of an eye South cut the margin to five at the end of the frame. Three of those points came at the free throw line as Covington fouled a Panther shooter from behind the arc.

"We picked up two fouls like that," explained Craft. "They made all six of those free throws and that came back to hurt us."

With momentum heading into the fourth, the Panthers continued chipping into the Covington lead - eventually pulling ahead 52-50 and holding on for the two-point win.

"We had our chances at the end to tie the game, but couldn't get the shots to fall," Craft stated.

Which hurts because Craft knew how much this game meant to his seniors who were honored on "Senior Night".

"It would have been nice to get this win for the (the seniors)," said Craft. "They really wanted this one and they deserved to get it. Unfortunately we came up short."

Still, Craft was pleased in everything his kids did.

"I can't tell you how proud I am for how hard they played tonight," he said. "They played their hearts out and you can't ask or expect any more than that."

Covington held a 33-17 advantage on the boards and only committed 14 turnovers compared to 24 in its last outing.

The Buccs also converted on 21 of 56 field goals for 37.5% and shot 6 of 16 from behind the arc.

Senior Jordy Burelison had a memorable night with a team-high 11 points, including three treys. Ben Christian scored 10 points, while Jordy Meyer pulled down a game-high eight rebounds.

The Buccs drop to 5-13 overall (3-8 in the CCC) and hosts Delphos St. John's Saturday. Covington will also be honoring new members into their athletic hall of fame.

Scoring by Quarters:
TV South .............8.......21.......40.......57
Covington ..........11.......28.......43.......55

Covington Scoring:
Jordy Burelison - 11
Ben Christian - 10
Kody Thiebeau - 9
Andy Sparks - 7
Adam Craft - 7
Kyle Kanet - 5
Jordy Meyer - 4
Nate Lavey - 2

TV South Scoring:
Clint Spitler - 17
J.T. Stone _17
Steve Summers - 12
Ryan Innis - 9
Austin Schmidt - 6

Three-Point Scoring:
Covington: Burelison (3), Thiebeau (1), Kanet (1), Craft (1)
TV South: Spitler (3), Summers (2), Innis (2)