It is time for Athens and Alexander to add another chapter to their rivalry. As usual, both teams know much is at stake in this year's addition.
Athens started off slow in its game against Marietta. The team fell behind 11 points, prompting coach Jeff Skinner to desire a better start to the game.
We missed shots that we normally make and got killed on the boards
Skinner said. We need to do a better job rebounding and limit offensive put-backs.
Limiting the second chance points will be key in controlling Alexander center Jack Hart, something that Skinner said he believes his players can do.
Jack is long but not heavy and the team only has one tall player
not four (like Marietta)
Skinner said. They will have to guard our 3-point shooters
which creates equal matchup problems for both teams.
Stanley returns
Athens junior guard Nick Stanley sustained an elbow injury against Marietta, but he will be back for Friday's game. The guard's return is a big deal for the Athens defense.
He can guard the point or the wing
Skinner said. He is one of our better defenders.
Meaning of the rivalry
Skinner spoke of the significance of the Spartans-Bulldogs rivalry and what a victory would mean for his team.
We play them in every sport - both boys and girls; this game is for bragging rights in the (Tri-Valley Conference)
Skinner said.
For the Spartans, it gets the team back into the action in the TVC-Ohio after starting 0-5.
Keys for Alexander
Alexander will enter Friday's game on a three-game winning streak. The Spartans are coming off a 62-58 win against Parkersburg Catholic, which was the single-A state champion last season.
The biggest contributor to the winning streak is the team's understanding of the fundamentals.
Kids are learning to take care of the ball
and Jack Hart and Michael Chapman continue to play well
coach Blaine Gabriel said.
Gabriel knows that Athens will try to control Hart and Chapman, so he intends to look to other players such as Jake Gray, Ben Doughty and Braden Jones to step up.
He also mentioned the importance of the Spartans dictating the speed of the game.
We need to cut down on our turnovers and disrupt their 3-point shooters to control the tempo
Gabriel said.
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