Sports

Boys Basketball: Athens beats Alexander in battle for second in TVC-Ohio

Posted on: Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Athens snapped its five game losing streak as they shut down the Alexander Spartans by a score of 52-38 Tuesday night.

The battle for second place in the TVC-Ohio was back and forth as Alexander came out strong in the beginning and finished the first half leading 27-24.

Athens head coach Jeff Skinner thinks that the break from cancelled games due to weather hurt them more than helped them.

“Unfortunately, I think we lost some of our conditioning,” Skinner said. “Tonight, we got tired really early.”

Athens was able to do a nice job defensively on Braden Jones, who opened with 8 points in the first quarter but was held to only 7 the rest of the game.

The Bulldogs switched to a zone defense in the second quarter and only allowed 10 points, improving from 17 in the first quarter. They continued to press hard and the Spartans were only able to put up four points in the third.

The third quarter was the difference in the game as Athens got even more aggressive, picked up the defense and scored 21 points.

“We played well defensively, especially in the second half,” said Skinner. “Prepared-wise, I think we were in pretty good shape. Not playing for the last 10 days definitely hurt us offensively a little bit, but it was a nettle.”

Senior Nick Stanley stepped up for the Bulldogs tonight with 13 points, scoring six of those in the third. He also started the third and fourth quarters with a steal and a layup.

Also contributing for the Bulldogs was senior Josh Skinner with 12 points and freshman Joey Burrow with 10. Half of Burrow’s points came in clutch for his team in the third quarter.

The (6-7, 3-2 TVC) Athens Bulldogs take on the TVC-Ohio’s number one-ranked Buckeyes, who are undefeated in the conference right now.

“I hope with our tough schedule and all of our practices, and more difficult games, we’ll be emotionally ready to play in that game,” said Skinner about Friday night’s matchup.

The Spartans will look to get back on track this Friday at Wellston.