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Senior, Mandy Kuharik looks for the open man in the Lady Buccs' win.
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Senior, Caitlin Sargent battles on the inside against a Tri-Village defender.
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Team
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CCC
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ALL
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Franklin Monroe
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11-0
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15-5
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Covington
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10-1
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20-4
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Tri-Village
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9-2
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16-5
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Arcanum
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8-3
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17-4
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Mississinawa Valley
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7-4
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10-11
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Twin Valley South
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6-5
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9-11
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National Trail
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4-6
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7-11
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Bradford
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3-8
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7-11
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Ansonia
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3-8
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4-15
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Bethel
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2-7
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5-12
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Tri-County North
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1-9
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3-15
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Newton
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0-10
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0-19
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February 18, 2005 – TIPP CITY
By Rob Kiser - Piqua Daily Call
The dream season continued for the Covington girls basketball team Friday night. Or at least a season where the Lady Buccs have had more success than coach Chris Besecker ever could have imagined.
The second seeded Lady Buccs reached the 20-win plateau for the third time in school history with a 55-37 victory over third seed Tri-Village in the sectional finals Friday night.
The Lady Buccs will now play the Xenia Christian-Summitt Country Day winner in the Division IV district finals at a time to be announced next Saturday at the Vandalia Student Activites Center.
"I never would have dreamed this team would have won 20 games," Besecker said. "It is only the third time in school history and twice in a row after losing four starters off of last year's team."
For those familiar with the Lady Buccs past success, successful seasons are not all that big of a surprise under Besecker.
"It just shows you what happens when the kids buy into the program and come in and put the work in," Besecker said. "You do that and play good, solid defense...you are going to win games. There is no doubt this is (one of his most rewarding seasons as a coach)."
The Lady Buccs used a familiar formula to win their third straight sectional title. Covington's defense limited Tri-Village to single digits in points in each of the first three quarters and less than 30 percent shooting from the floor in that time frame.
"Your goal is always to get out of the sectional," Besecker said. "Any time you can do that, you have to feel good."
Tri-Village was a dangerous foe for the Lady Buccs. In the first meeting, Covington had trailed by 10 points before rallying to win. Despite that, Besecker had a very good feeling going into Friday night's matchup.
"I just had a really good feeling coming into this game," Besecker said. "The kids had practiced so well all week and were really focused. I just had a feeling we were going to play well and that is what happened."
After three baskets by Heather Deaton had given the Lady Patriots a 6-2 lead, Covington had a 9-0 run and never trailed again.
Michelle Meyer had 12 points in the first half, while Alex Christian scored seven and Andrea Meyer netted five. The Lady Buccs were in front 24-14 at the break and stretched it to 38-21 after three quarters.
"We weren't flawless by any means," Besecker said. "We had a few defensive breakdowns in the post early. But, once we got that corrected, I thought we played well for the most part."
The Lady Patriots could never make a serious run at Covington and Ashley Johnson finished the game off by making five of seven free throws down the stretch.
Michelle Meyer had 18 points and five rebounds for the Lady Buccs, while Andrea Meyer scored 11 points and led the team with eight rebounds.
Deaton had 18 points and five rebounds for Tri-Village, while Olivia Frazier scored 12 points and Brennan Moore pulled down six rebounds.
Covington shot 23 of 46 from the floor for 50 percent and eight of 10 from the line for 80 percent. Tri-Village was 14 of 36 from the floor for 39 percent and nine of 11 from the line for 82 percent.
Covington won the battle of the boards 24-20 and had 12 turnovers to Tri-Village's 21.
Now comes the likely challenge of facing Xenia Christian and the amazing Frazee tripletts. The Ambassadors only loss this season is to C-J.
"That is a good question (how to slow Xenia Christian)," Besecker said. "I watched them the other night and they really do a great job of getting out and going. That is easy to do when you have that kind of size inside. I think the key will definitely be limiting their points in transition."
BOXSCORE
Tri-Village (37)
Moore 0-1-1, Dill 3-0-6, Deaton 7-4-18, Skidmore 0-0-0, O. Frazier 4-4-12, Allison 0-0-0, Stahl 0-0-0, Bailey 0-0-0, A. Frazier 0-0-0. Totals: 14-9-37.
Covington (55)
Johnson 0-5-5, Christian 4-1-9, M. Meyer 9-0-18, Sargent 2-0-4, Kuharik 1-0-2, A. Meyer 5-0-11, Tebbe 2-2-6, Barhorst 0-0-0, Bayman 0-0-0, Plank 0-0-0. Totals: 23-8-55.
3-point field goals - Covington: A. Meyer.
Score by quarters
Tri-Village ......8......14......21......37
Covington ....13......26......38......55
Records: Tri-Village 17-6, Covington 20-3.
