NEW MADISON – Tri-Village girls basketball recognized four seniors prior to their contest with Sidney and the Patriots got the win 60-27 over the Yellow Jackets to send the seniors out on a high note.
Those four seniors were Sydnee DeLong, Adalynn Hines, Tai Mize and Alexa Light who are winding down successful careers but still looking to finish the season strong and make some noise in the post season.
The Patriots came out strong blitzing Sidney to start the game racing out to a 19-3 lead by the end of the 1st quarter. The Patriots knocked down three treys two from Taytum Gray and one from Kenna Wilcox. Tai Mize used her ability to penetrate the lane and came away with 8 points and Kaley Brandon rounded out the scoring in the quarter with fielder for two points.
The scoring pace slowed in the 2nd period, but Taytum Gray would rain in two more triples giving her four on the night. Alexa Light scored a bucket bringing her entourage of about 65 close friends and family to their feet with custom T-Shirts of their favorite senior. Mize added another lay-up and McKenzie Becker knocked down a free throw.
Although they scored just 11 points they held the Yellow Jackets to just two points for a 30-5 lead at the break.
Sidney worked to an 11-11 tie in the 3rd quarter and coach Brad Gray was disappointed to see his team lose focus as the post season draws near stressing the importance of playing a full 32 minutes.
“You know, I thought we played a really good first half … but we did not have a good third quarter, which is frustrating. It just seems like, for whatever reason, we’re struggling to play 32 minutes. I told the kids in the locker room it’s frustrating because I felt like thethird quarter is a black cloud on what should have been a really good night. We’ve got to be better going for the jugular. But in games where you have a big lead I feel like we get a little lackadaisical at times,” Gray explained.
Senior Sydnee DeLong made the 6th triple of the game for the Patriots as a team in frame.
Leading 41-16 heading into the final stanza and eventually a running clock the Patriots would pour it on with senior Adalynn Hines connecting on three straight bombs as TV put up another 19 points to win the game going away 60-27.
“it was good to see us kind of get locked back in go on run in the 4th quarter again. But to beat the teams we have to on the tournament trail, we’ve got to be able to play for 32 minutes, not 16, or 24 but 32 minutes because our margin for error is small due to lack of size. We need 32 minutes with our effort and togetherness,” Gray stated.
Gray took time to talk about the four seniors and what they’ve meant to the program.
“Sydnee you know, is the only one that’s been a varsity player for four years for us and was part of that special group her freshman year that was able to win a state title,” Gray said.
“She has just been a steady, solid kid for us, even last year where she didn’t get to play with an ACL injury and shared her experience trying to coach our younger kids up as a student coach for us last year,” Gray added.
“Tai came in as a sophomore and has had a really good career at the point position for us. She has kind of been our engine and sometimes we get on her, because I feel like she over dribbles but she’s an aggressive point guard and makes things happen for us.
“Adalynn has also had a great career here at Tri village. She had to sit out half of her sophomore year because of transferring in, but she is closing in on 1000 career points in her high school career,” Gray described.
“Alexa has just been a true program kid as a freshman and sophomore she was predominantly a JV kid. Then last year she kind of got thrown into the starting lineup at the varsity level and had a great year … but her role has changed a little bit where she’s coming off the bench for us. She’s given us solid minute and she shoots the ball. When she gets an open look we feel confident she can knock it down and it’s just a great kid,” Gray clarified.
“All four seniors are doing a great job of leading our kids. And fortunately for Ty and Sid, they’re going on to play at the next level. Adalynn is unsure of what she’s going to do, probably going to Ohio State, but I’m sure she’s going to try to see if anything comes around from a track standpoint. Alexa is also looking to go to college and do some things with her interests, and we are so proud of all four of them, Gray concluded.
The Patriots had nearly everyone on the roster score in the game and was led by Tai Mize with 17, Taytum Gray and Kenna Wilcox each had 12 points.
Tri-Village improves to 16-4 overall and has two games remaining in the regular season. They will close out their WOAC schedule on Thursday hosting Twin Valley South and then play at Versailles on Saturday February 14th.
Box Scores
Score by Quarters
03 … 05 … 11 … 11 – 27 Sidney
19 … 11 … 11 … 19 – 60 Tri-Village
Team Scoring
Sidney – Heuslex 0-2-1/2 – 5, J. Shroyer 0-0-2/2 – 2, H. Shroyer 0-1-0/0 2,
Fox 0-4-2/4 – 10, Kennedy 0-3-2/4 – 8, Totals 0-10-7/11 – 27
Tri-Village – DeLong 1-0-0/0 – 3, 4-0-0/0 – 12, Mize 1-7-0/0 – 17, Brandon 0-1-0/0 – 2, Hunt 0-2-0/0 – 2, Wilcox 1-4-1/1 – 12, Light 0-1-0/0 – 2, Besecker 0-0-1/2 – 1,
Hines 3-0-0/0 – 9, Totals 10-14-2/3 – 6
