Kyle Kanet converts a steal into a lay-up for the Buccs.

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 21, 2007 – NEW MADISON
In each of Covington's four losses this season the Buccaneers either held the lead or trailed by no more than four points heading into the final quarter.

But Covington just hasn't been able to get over the hump - failing to finish strong in crunch time when the game is on the line.

It has led to a 1-4 record and a four-game losing streak against Cross County Conference foes, including Friday's frustrating 46-40 defeat at Tri-Village.

"We're in position to win," said Covington coach Roger Craft. "But we haven't been able to finish. It's a matter of making plays and finding a way to win."

Craft feels that isn't too far off because of the effort his kids give.

"The kids are working hard and staying positive," Craft said. "We knew there would be some rough spots, but its a long season. As long as we continue to work hard and stay positive, we'll be fine."

The Buccs opened the contest with a trey and a lay-up by Nate Lavey. Jordy Meyer followed with a jumper and a Kody Thiebeau trey increased Covington's lead to 10-6.

But the Buccs had problems containing Ryan Buck, who scored the Patriots' first six points and ended up with 15 at the half. Buck was the beneficiary of some nice passes down the lane by David Barger.

Still, Covington held a 13-11 lead after one and was tied 21-21 at the half thanks to the balance scoring of six players who registered points at the break.

The Buccaneers did a much better job controlling Buck in the second half, holding him to just seven of his game-high 22 points.

But is was two long scoreless spells that killed Covington's chances at a breakthrough victory.

The first came at the beginning of the third quarter as Covington didn't score a point until 3:20 had ran off the clock.

"We can't go three or four minutes without points," Craft said. "We've got to have guys mature in those situations."

By then Tri-Village had scored eight straight points thanks to two treys by Kendall Stutz and a bucket by Buck.

Trailing 29-21, Covington quickly cut the margin to 29-25 on a lay-up by Nate Lavey and a jumper by Thiebeau.

After a pair of free throws by the Patriots, Thiebeau scored on another jumper and Andy Sparks followed with a lay-up. But Tri-Village pushed the lead back to four to close out the third with a jumper by Drew Moore.

The second scoreless spell was too much for Covington to overcome as it took the Buccs 4:23 to score a basket to open the fourth quarter. By then Tri-Village had pushed the lead to 40-30 until a Lavey lay-up with 3:47 left in the game.

"We don't have a go-to guy that we can rely on in those situations," Craft explained. "What we do have is a bunch of guys capable of making plays. We just have to find some confidence that we can make some plays."

The Patriots responded with a free throw by Buck and a runner by Moore to take their largest lead of the contest, 43-32 with 2:42 left.

Covington battled back with two straight treys on consecutive possessions, one by Thiebeau and the other by Bill Dickey.

But time wasn't on the Buccs' side as they had to foul to extend the game. Tri-Village was able to convert on three of four free throws down the stretch to preserve the 46-40 win despite another jumper by Dickey.

In spite of dropping their fourth straight game, Craft is optimistic about what his team is capable of. Much of that has to do with the attitude of his kids.

"These kids are a close group and they stick together through thick and thin," Craft concluded. "I'm confident we'll learn from what we've done so far and get better. We're a young team searching for ways to win. We'll get there."

Eight Buccaneers scored for the Buccs with Kody Thiebeau leading the way with 10 points.

Covington returns home Saturday to face Marion Local.

Scoring by Quarters:
Covington ............13......21......29.....40
Tri-Village ............11......21......33.....46

Covington Scoring:
Kody Thiebeau - 10
Nate Lavey - 9
Adam Craft - 5
Bill Dickey - 5
Andy Sparks - 4
Jordy Burelison - 3
Jordy Meyer - 2
Kyle Kanet - 2

Tri-Village Scoring:
Ryan Buck - 22
Kendall Stutz - 10
Drew Moore - 9
Tyler Greer - 5

Three-Point Scoring:
Covington: Thiebeau (2), Lavey (1), Burelison (1), Dickey (1)
Tri-Village: Stutz (2), Moore (1)