Sports
Federal Hocking Lancers: Dec. 6-12
By: Erik Threet
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The Federal Hocking Lancers entered the third week of the regular season with a 1-2 record looking to get back to .500. Unfortunately, the Lancers plans faltered as South Gallia easily defeated Federal Hocking 73-49.
After squeaking by Southern on December 4, the Lancers have lost their last two games by a combined score of 148-74. In the first two games of the year, Federal Hocking’s defense had only allowed 47 points per game and even though it allowed 148 points in its two most recent games, the Lancers’ struggles are greater on the offensive side of the ball.
Forty-nine points is the highest scoring output of the season for Federal Hocking. In the three games prior to Tuesday, the Lancers had not scored over 40 points in a game this season. Winning is not attainable without playing solid defense, but the Lancers will not improve on their 1-3 record if they cannot find ways to score.
Being a team full of underclassmen, the Lancers are being forced to develop fast. Head coach Jaime Justus has the same message for his players going into every game. He encourages them to play with a positive attitude and mindset as they march through the 2015-2016 basketball season. As they search for their identity, they will have to respect the process of growing, so that they can become a successful team.
In the upcoming week Federal Hocking will have two games. Tuesday the Lancers will have a home game against the Belpre Golden Eagles (3-3) before they travel to face the undefeated Waterford Wildcats (2-0) on Friday night. Federal Hocking begins an important, but challenging stretch of the season. In seven out of the next eight Lancer games, they will face teams that have a .500 record or better. The path to greatness begins now.