Athens is looking to get back on track after losing three straight games, including four of its last five.
The game Tuesday against River Valley looks like it will be the game to do exactly that.
The Bulldogs previously beat River Valley 69-31 in their Tri-Valley Conference and season opener Dec. 9.
Even though Athens beat River Valley by 38 points, it will not go into this game expecting an easy win.
“We definitely don’t take them lightly,” junior Robert Dickelman said.
The Bulldogs dominated the first game, forcing River Valley into committing turnovers, and taking low-percentage shots. When Athens dominates on defense like it did in its first game against River Valley, the offense works very efficiently. It helps push the Bulldogs into their fast-paced, high-powered philosophy.
“We want to get teams to do things they’re not used to doing,” coach Mickey Cozart said.
There is now a virtual three-way tie at the top of the TVC-Ohio, between Athens, Vinton County and Meigs. Vinton County holds a slight advantage with one more game played and a tiebreaker over both Athens and Meigs.
This game is the first for Athens in the TVC after playing five of the last six games out-of-conference.
Cozart thinks his team is playing well, despite that fact not showing in the wins column.
“We played pretty good basketball and lost to some really good teams,” he said.
Athens plans on honoring senior Griffin Lutz, who scored his 1,000 career point two weeks ago against Wellston. This will be the first home game for the Bulldogs since that game.
