TVS Splits

The new year didn’t bring a change to South’s habit of splitting games.  This weekend the two foes were fellow CCC team Newton and the GCL’s Fenwick.  South was able to take care of business against Newton, but Fenwick was a much tougher foe and despite a good run in the 4^th quarter they would fall to the Falcons.

Newton had greater depth than TVS, but overall the team was smaller.  South used this to their advantage and dominated in the paint – both in scoring and in rebounding.  A lot of the bench players got to see some action as South took off hard out of the blocks and built an easy lead.  They were able to cruise to a 64-25 victory.  Scoring for South: Cole 12, Burns 4, Cottingim 2, Green 27, Bassler 8, Osborn 4, Utz 2, Baker 11.

After the game coach Augspurger commented that, “We did a good job against a not so strong opponent.  We defended well against them and maintained defensive integrity which kept their scoring to a minimum. We used our size effectively and rebounded well.  We were able to take care of business against their team.”

Saturday nights opponent was Middletown’s Bishop Fenwick, a member of the GCL.  Fenwick used a vigorous man to man defense to put a chokehold on the South offense in the first half.  On the night South would cough up the ball 22 times. At halftime, the Falcons were up 24-10.  In the second half, South adjusted and using a trapping defense to put pressure on Fenwick.  And on offense Wes Cole began to nail 3 pointers and really ate into the opponents lead in the last quarter.

But the high water mark for South was when they closed to score within 5 in the 4^th.  But Fenwick responded with a trey of their own and popped the lead back out to 8.  So South’s run fell short and Fenwick pulled away with a 56-43 victory.

“At the beginning of the year I thought Fenwick was the second best team on our schedule,” stated coach Augspurger, “but after playing them I have to reconsider that.  They are a 10-2 team in one the best basketball conferences in Ohio – the GCL.  Their man to man defense was impressive and their two guards are 3 year starters, they played really well.  Next week we play against Mississinewa Valley and Brookville.  Both of these games are on the road.  Both of these teams can beat TVS, but if we play like we are capable, we can beat them. We will need to find something inside and play some hard-nosed basketball to come away with 2 wins next week. “