Sports

After three consecutive losses, the Nelsonville-York Buckeyes came ready to fight for their respect, their honor and ultimately their season; but the sting of the Dawson Bryant Hornets was too much, falling 49-34.

Saying the Buckeyes have had a disappointing regular season is an understatement. Going almost winless in the Tri-Valley-Conference, the Buckeyes looked like a team who had nothing left in the tank.

That could not be further from the truth.

The Buckeyes came out against the Hornets in the first quarter and looked like a team reborn. Hunter Edwards’ junior year speed looked like it had returned, and Aron Davis was showing the fight and toughness that had previously led the Buckeyes to an 8-4 record to start the season. The Buckeyes were playing stingy defense and looking like a team that could possibly be a darkhorse in this year’s postseason.

But enter the Dawson-Bryant offense.

One of the Buckeyes’ greatest weaknesses on defense is their lack of athleticism, to which Hornets had plenty. Edwards busted his chops to keep up with Hornet leading scorer Aaron Music, who had 13 points, and when he did, Music would dish it out to teammate Mark Sites who consistently took the Buckeyes to school and the hole finishing with 10 points. The dynamic duo of Music and Sites was a major reason for the 20-15 Buckeye deficit at the half.

Coming out of the locker room, the story all year had been the Buckeyes had no support from role players. Well Justin Perry, Ethan Bohyer and Mikey Seel were ready to try and take the torch from seniors Edwards and Davis. Perry confidently ran the offense while Bohyer racked up four important boards and Seel showed speed and athleticism that Buckeye fans can look forward to next year.

However, the sound of Music’s 3 pointers keep the Nelsonville-York noise to a minimal and the Buckeye deficit at four at the end of the third quarter.

It was do or die for the Buckeyes entering the fourth, but the speed of the Hornets overwhelmed Nelsonville-York which caused many unnecessary fouls which ultimately put the game out of reach.

With 1:05 remaining, Coach Jay Kline took out his seniors and gave the fans a look at Nelsonville-York’s optimistic future which consisted of Ronnie Wend, Levi Wickman, Perry, Bohyer, and Seel. With the Buckeyes season over and a final record of 10-13, Kline had one message to the future of Nelsonville-York basketball, “Come ready to work.”