Two rival teams are watching their seasons go in different directions.
After Alexander's 48-35 loss to Vinton County Monday, coach Blaine Gabriel said that his team did not play with emotion and had too many unforced turnovers. Despite the loss, Gabriel recognized the role his team will play the rest of the season.
At 2-4 (in the conference)
we are pretty much out of the race to win Gabriel said. But with games against Meigs Athens and Nelsonville-York we can dictate who does.
Gabriel said that is was the perfect opportunity for his team to play spoiler to other teams in the conference. Now the Spartans, who are led by Hart, are starting to play team basketball.
In his last six games, Hart averaged a triple double when other players step up.
We have Jack and Mike (Chapman)
but when we get that third player to play consistently
and a fourth steps up
that is when we can be successful
Gabriel said.
Better Fortunes
Athens, loser of its previous two games before Tuesday night, is still in second place in the TVC- Ohio.
In a loss against Chesapeake, the Bulldogs were down by six with five minutes left and ended up losing by 17. They dropped a game against Logan by one point.
Coach Jeff Skinner said he believes his team can still make a run in the conference.
We still have a shot (to win)
but probably every coach (in the conference) feels that way
Skinner said.
Athens defeated Nelsonville-York Tuesday 50-34, giving the Bulldogs three conference wins. Dean Maffin and a tight defensive effort keyed the win.
Dean had been in a little bit of a shooting slump
but he shot himself out of it
Skinner said.
Maffin finished with 23 points and Orhan Mentese added 11.
Athens is 3-1 and a half game behind Meigs, who is 4-1 for the conference lead. The Bulldogs will play the Marauders again Feb. 11.
Sharp Done
DeVon Sharp sustained a leg injury in the Bulldogs' double over time thriller against the Spartans Jan. 14. Originally what was thought to be a minor injury, but now Sharp will be out for the rest of the season.
He is four weeks from being able to play
