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Tri-Village
junior Colton Linkous (33) hits for two of his game high 24
points Friday against
Covington. The Patriots remained undefeated
posting a 78-44 CCC victory.
Photos provided by
crosscountyconference.com
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Tri-Village remains perfect in 2014
Pats steamroll Buccs
By George Starks
NEW MADISON- Tri-Village junior Colton Linkous, may be the closest
thing to Superman since the introduction of the character by Marvel
Comics.
Coming into Friday night’s matchup with Covington, Linkous had hit 38
treys on the season, including 10 against the Miami Valley Rams.
On the season, he was hit on 45 percent of his three point attempts.
Friday, Linkous hit five of seven from long range, scoring 24 points as
the Patriots (11-0, 8-0), in only their fourth home game of the season
destroyed Covington 78-44.
It didn’t take the Patriots long to establish their dominance, jumping
out to a 9-0 lead in the opening frame before Andre Benedict drained a
three at the 3:26 mark.
By the end of the quarter, the Patriots had opened up a whopping 23-5
lead
By the end of the half, it was Tri-Village 40, Covington 14.
“I thought we were very crisp tonight in the first half and especially
in the first quarter” said Pats coach Josh Sagester. “I wasn’t
necessarily pleased with the way we started the last two games against
Miami East and National Trail. It was key that we come out here and
play well early tonight. I thought we played a really, really good
first half.”
Even though the Patriots took care of business in the first 16 minutes
of play, that wasn’t totally the case in the final 16 minutes of action.
“I thought we played a sloppy second half,” said Sagester. “I guess
that can be expected when kids look at scoreboards and things of that
nature.”
It was obvious right from the beginning the Patriots were focused.
With Troy Christian on the schedule the following night, it was the
Eagles that eliminated the Patriots from the regionals a year ago, the
eyes never wandered away from the game at hand, staying focused on the
Buccs.
When the final buzzer had sounded, the Patriots had put four in double
figures.
With Linkous leading the way, Damion Cook and his cousin Tyler had
netted 16 each while Mason McCabe knocked down three triples and 11
points total.
If there in one essential for a successful basketball team, it’s an
exceptional point guard.
Tyler VanWinkle is the engineer that controls the train that is the
Patriots.
VanWinkle ended the night with only four points but dished out a ton of
assists, including one that went straight to the post for an easy two
by Tyler Cook.
“Everything starts from the point,” Sagester said. “Or kids do a very
nice job of finding the open man. They are very unselfish. Covington
threw a triangle in two against us and I think that is a tough defense
to play against us. I thought we looked comfortable against it.”
The Patriots will return home next Friday in a CCC clash against Bethel.
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Damien
Cook (25) and cousin Tyler Cook (44) combined for 32 points in
the Covington.
Scoring 16 points each, Damien collected 10 rebounds on
the night.
Photos provided by crosscountyconference.com
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