A HAPPY HOLIDAY...for the Tri-Village Patriots from left to right: David Barger, Heath West, Drew Moore, Brett Foreman, Kendall Stutz, Tyler Greer, Ryan Buck, Logan Brubaker and Tyler Fisherback.

Story by Dale Barger
Pitsburg, Ohio – December 29, 2007
For the first time in 6 years a new team would be crowned champions at the Jet Holiday Tournament. Tri-Village last won it three years straight in 1998, 1999, 2000.

For Arcanum the drought was even longer with their last tourney title 20 years ago in 1986.

The two teams had met once already in the season opener at Arcanum with Tri-Village taking a 6-point win 60-54. The Trojans were looking to vindicate the loss and more importantly take home a long overdue Jet Tourney title.

Early on in the game it appeared the Trojans were determined to do just that as they opened up a 17-10 first quarter lead. For Tri-Village it was dejavu all over again as they found themselves down big just like the night before to Versailles.

“We haven’t been able to get off to a good start yet this year, said Coach Sagester. We talked about playing aggressive defense and getting after it but we just haven’t been able to do it.”

Arcanum benefited from a trio of players Clint Hale, Travis Binkley (2 straight treys) and Austin Bruner in beating the Tri-Village defense in the opening period.

Meanwhile the Patriots were struggling on offense and it would be a freshman Drew Moore who would infuse life into the Patriots. Coming in from the bench Moore was able to get back-to-back lay-ups the second on a steal at 3:31 and the PATS trailed 10-4.

Arcanum expanded their lead behind a freshman of their own Austin Bruner scoring 6 points to go up 17-6. Tri-Village was able to get two scores inside from Ryan Buck and Tyler Greer to close out the period with TV trailing 17-10.

In the second period Tri-Village slowly started to chip away at the lead as Tyler Greer and Kendall Stutz got the hot-hand. Greer scored nine in the period the last three from behind the arch and Tri-Village trailed 24-23 with 1:30 to play. Stutz scored six points with his last two off a steal at 1:12 and Tri-Village had captured their first lead of the game 25-24.

It would be short lived though as Jordan Greve sank two free throws to end the half with Arcanum recapturing the lead 26-25.

The similarities to the previous nights game continued with the Patriots working themselves back into the game trailing by one at the half. The third period would also be reminiscent to the previous night as Tri-Village would methodically spread the floor and slowly started to take control and held a 39-34 lead at the end of three quarters of play.

With the lead trading back and forth 8 times and tied 34-34 at 1:55 in the third quarter… it would be Tyler Greer who would finish strong. His three-pointer and a stick-back off his own miss at the buzzer gave the PATS a 39-34 lead.

Just like the previous night the Patriots were unable to hold the lead as Arcanum worked themselves back into the game behind Hale and their big man Brenton Balsbaugh. Balsbaugh was kept in check much of the night but he was finally able to shake free for a few scores.

Again their would be numerous lead changes and ties in the final period with neither team backing off. Tyler Greer once again imposed his will on his third three-pointer of the night and two strong drives to the hole for 7 more points and game high scoring honors with 23 on the night.

Even with that is wasn’t enough and oddly it would be contributions from players down the stretch that hadn’t had much impact thus far in the game that would decide the final outcome.

With the scored tied 46-46 and 3 minutes to play Tyler Evans came up with a big offensive rebound and was fouled. He would sink one of two tosses. Moments later he followed it up with a lay-up on a nice feed from Logan Brubaker that gave the PATS a 49-46 lead.

Arcanum again had the answer this time it was Travis Binkley… who after opening the game with two threes found the range one more time to knot it at 49-49. On the ensuing exchange Braden Means would be fouled and net one throw to break the deadlock and Arcanum led 50-49 with 55 seconds to play.

The Patriots Kendall Stutz also quite for much of the second half was able to draw a foul on a drive in the lane sending him to the line. Kendall responded by dropping both tosses and now the Patriots led 51-50.

Arcanum went back to work on offense and with time dwindling took a shot from the block but was denied by David Barger who blocked it and gained possession at the same time. He was then fouled with just 6 seconds remaining in the game.

Oh the similarities from the previous night continued only this time it was TV going to the line (instead of Versailles) for a one and one. However, Barger who has been an 80% free throw shooter in his career drew the back of the iron and Arcanum came down with the ball.

The Trojans rushed the ball up the floor and just before they got it over half court called a time-out. It would be a timeout they wish they hadn’t called as Clint Hale threw in a three-pointer.

Now with just 2 ticks left on the clock Arcanum was able to get a look but Ryan Buck loomed over the shooter just enough to throw it off and the Patriots survived to win 51-50 concluding two straight nights of climatic basketball and narrow one point victories.

Tri-Village after 6 long years of waiting was once again crowned Jet Holiday Tournament Champions for 2007.

Afterwards Coach Sagester was exhausted yet relieved and joyous for his team and the kids. “I don’t know what to say, I’m so proud and happy for our kids. What a gritty performance they gutted it out for the second night it a row. Our kids deserve this title they have worked hard and all of them contributed. I can’t begin to tell you how important each and everyone is to our program. Not only did our varsity win the title our Junior Varsity took one as well with a one point win over Versailles and that speaks in volume for our overall program. In fact it might be the first time Tri-Village has ever won both titles in the same year,” said Sagester.

“We got contributions down the line, said Sagester. Tyler Greer just played 32 minutes of unbelievable basketball. Ryan Buck played solid tonight and had a great tournament. Logan Brubaker gave us a great defensive effort. Kendall Stutz made some big plays and those two free throws in the 4th quarter were huge. Drew Moore is really giving us good minutes off the bench and gives a shot of adrenaline. David Barger wasn’t on his game tonight but he came up with a big block and rebound when it mattered at the end. I can’t say enough about Tyler Evans who hasn’t seen the floor in a couple of games and instead of pouting and hanging his head stayed positive and tonight he got his chance and his contributions down the stretch were big. Talk about a great kid who deserves some success, it was a great night and a fun tournament” added Sagester.

We’ll take the weekend to enjoy it and then we need to focus on Bethel in a league game. They are coming in here at 6-2 on Friday night and then we have a big road trip up to St. Henry Saturday night,” concluded Sagester.

Tyler Greer paced the Patriots on the night with 23 points and Ryan Buck reach double figures with 10. For the tournament Greer dropped in 34 points and was named to the all-tournament team, Kendall Stutz also was name with 19 points and Ryan Buck with 28 overall points and numerous rebounds was name tournament MVP. Congratulations to all three players and to the entire team and program for a great Jet Holiday Tournament!

Scoring by Quarters:
Tri-Village ......10......15......14......12 – 51
Arcanum ........17......09......08......16 – 50

Individual Scoring:
Tri-Village
Ryan Buck - 10
Tyler Evans - 03
Tyler Greer - 23
Drew Moore - 07
Kendall Stutz - 08
Totals: 51

Arcanum
Brenton Balsbaugh - 08
Travis Binkley - 09
Austin Bruner - 09
Jordan Greve - 10
Clint Hale - 09
Braden Means - 01
Matt Woods - 02
Totals: 50

Three Point Scoring: TV 4 (Greer 3, Moore 1) – Arcanum 4 (Binkley 3, Greve 1)
Free Throw Shooting TV 5-6 – Arcanum 8-13