Sports
The Week Ahead: January 14-20
By: Steve Uhlmann
Posted on:
The second half of conference play is upon us, and it's now or never for the teams of the TVC-Ohio and TVC-Hocking. Here is what the next week has in store for the five schools of Athens County, as crunch time nears.
Alexander Spartans
After a tough week that involved losing both of their games, the Spartans have a week off before returning to the court on Friday, Jan. 18 on the road against Nelsonville-York. The Spartans fell to the Buckeyes 48-40 earlier this season and are looking for revenge. They will be in action Saturday as well when they host Oak Hill. Alexander fell to them 69-42 last year.
The Lady Spartans have a big game Monday night when they host Vinton County at The Alley. Alexander was overwhelmed in the first meeting between the two teams and will be looking for an improved effort. The tough week also includes a Thursday trip to Nelsonville for a showdown with the Lady Buckeyes. Their week will end with a non-conference game Saturday against Oak Hill.
Athens Bulldogs
On Tuesday, Athens will renew their old rivalry with the Jackson Ironmen with a non-conference game before returning to TVC-Ohio play against Vinton County in what is a crucial game for control of the conference. After that big contest, there will be a quick turnaround with the Bulldogs taking on a streaking Meigs squad Saturday.
The Lady Bulldogs will look to keep control of the Ohio with a game at Meigs Monday before returning home to play Wellston on Thursday. Athens won the first meetings against these two teams handedly, and will be looking to take care of business again.
Federal Hocking Lancers
Fed Hock's boys team will wrap up a season-long homestand with a pair of games at McInturf Gymnasium this week. On Tuesday, they'll get a chance to avenge their only TVC-Hocking loss of the season when the Belpre Golden Eagles come to Stewart on Tuesday. On Friday, they'll face the Miller Eagles, a team they only beat by six points back at the beginning of the season.
It will be a tough start of the week for the Lady Lancers who host second-place Waterford Monday, however they will get a chance to complete a season sweep of Southern on Thursday. The Lady Lancers have already eclipsed their win total from last year and are looking to continue their climb toward a winning season.
Nelsonville-York Buckeyes
The Buckeyes will begin the week Tuesday with a road non-conference game against River Valley, a future TVC-Ohio member. On Friday they will host Alexander, a team that gave them quite a scare earlier in the season.
The Lady Buckeyes have a busy week ahead, as they could possibly complete three season sweeps. On Monday, they will travel to Wellston before hosting Trimble Wednesday and playing Alexander at Ben Wagner Gymnasium Thursday. This will be a very important week for the Lady Bucks if they want to keep pace in the TVC-Ohio
Trimble Tomcats
After seeing their four-game win streak come to an end, the Tomcats will look to start another one when they travel to Miller on Tuesday. They will then host Eastern Friday night. Trimble defeated both of these teams in their first meetings earlier this season and will look to do the same this week.
The Lady Tomcats have a tough week ahead, hosting South Gallia on Monday and then traveling to Nelsonville Wednesday. Trimble fell to the Lady Rebels by 17 points earlier in the season and have already lost to N-Y. The Lady Tomcats have shown signs of improvement lately and look to show a better effort a second time around.