The Missisinawa Valley (MV) Blackhawks were able to survive the 1st quarter of their division IV sectional game against the Yellow Springs Bulldogs but were unable to recover from the 2nd quarter when they were outscored 22 -5. The Bulldogs crashed the offensive boards and crashed the ‘hawks hopes of a first round victory by defeating MV 57-43.

MV trailed 5 – 9 for all but 14 seconds in the 1st quarter when Tracey Harris made an athletic move along the baseline for a made two point basket and was fouled by a Yellow Springs player. Harris’ attempt to complete the 3 point play failed but the rebound was tipped by a Bulldog player and credited to MV. The buzzer sounded and MV survived a dismal start and ended the quarter in a 9-9 tie.

The 2nd quarter start looked hopeful as MV matched Yellow Springs 4 points with a deuce from Harris and a goal by freshmen Larry LeMaster.

LeMaster played his first varsity minutes as senior Nathan Brunk was out due to an injury. Last year at this time LeMaster and MV’s other front court starter Gary Peace was playing in the 8th grade tournament.

Yellow Springs started a 16 to 1 run to end the quarter with one of many offensive rebounds and stickbacks for two. If they didn’t complete the stickback, the Blackhawks ended up fouling the Bulldogs and sending them to the charity stripe. The ‘hawks ended the half down 17, 31- 14.

The 3rd quarter looked promising as All CCC player Ryan Dickey started with a trey to break into the scoring column. Another 3 by Dickey, a deuce by Harris and a trey from Peace led an 11 – 6 run to narrow the gap to 12. Four more points from Dickey got the ‘hawks within 8 with just over 2 minutes left in the third, 37-29; but the Bulldogs ended the third and began the fourth quarter with a 12 point run that ended any hope of a Blackhawk comeback.

MV Coach Jeff Vaughn was obviously disappointed with the loss. He felt that they prepared well during the week but didn’t execute what they practiced when the ball was tipped into play.

The seniors leaving the program Vaughn stated: “Tracey Harris gives you everything he has and I’d love to have a few more kids with his mentality. He’s played well for us down the stretch.”

“Ryan Dickey had a good year and has been a four year player. He’s our leading scorer and if he didn’t score we didn’t have much of chance to win during the season.

“Unfortunately Nate Brunk had an injury and didn’t get a chance to play. I wish all those guys well in whatever they do as they move on.”

Vaughn commented on the play of Larry LeMaster playing in his first varsity game. “I thought he looked real calm and cool considering that he played JV all year as a freshman.

He also noted his freshman starter for most of the year with Gary Peace. “I can’t say enough for Gary Peace thrown into that role this year. I thought he did a heck of a job. He had a great season as a freshman averaging over 8 points per game and usually guarding kids that are a foot taller than him.

“The kids have a nice future” noting the freshman of today and of tomorrow. “I thought Alex Murphy came in and played well. These are guys (LeMaster and Murphy), who haven’t sniffed the floor all year, but we’re searching for answers right now. It is going to be an interesting summer to see what happens because I’m not afraid to put a real young team out there next year if we need to. It’s wide open.”

Scoring by quarters
MV…9…14…29…43
YS…9….31…43…57

MV
Dickey – 10
Cox – 2
Peace – 6
Harris – 14
Hiatt – 8
LeMaster – 3
FG% 34.7 (17/49) FT% 38.7 (5-13)

YS
Newsome – 6
Sikes-Gilbert – 10
Wimberly – 1
Allen – 16
Brown – 7
Benton – 3
Peacock – 14
FG% 42 (21-50) FT% 56 (14-25)

3 Point Goals
MV – 4 (Dickey 2, Peace 2)
YS – 1 (Sikes-Gilbert)