Sports
Federal Hocking Fails to Adjust to Southern’s Defense
By: Clark Wicks, Steven Hernandez
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Federal Hocking (3-10) fell after failing to adjust to a tough defense. The Lancers fell to the Southern Tornadoes 58-46. The loss extends Federal Hocking’s losing streak to five games.
Lack of physical play contributed to the Lancer’s loss. Southern kept a consistent defensive front throughout the game, keeping the Lancers from moving into the paint, forcing several long-range shots. Southern’s consistent defense also affected Federal Hocking’s tight passing game, causing several late turnovers.
The final shift of momentum towards Southern’s favor,came after a deep 3-pointer at the end of third, which lit up the crowd and carried the Tornadoes through the last quarter.
For Southern, Tylar Blevins and Crenan Rogers dominated the scoresheets with 25 and 15 points respectively.
AJ Cobb led Fed Hock with 14 points, six rebounds, and six steals. Ryan Harvey also stood out for the Lancers with 13 points.
It will take some time for the inexperienced Lancers to learn how to be productive as a team. Federal Hocking only has two returning lettermen on its squad, a squad that head coach Jamie Justus looks forward to transforming his young team into a physical squad. Justus mentions that he is “not going to bail [the team] out and throw in a zone [play],” admitting that he wants more defensive prowess on the court.
Justus also wants his team to improve in the third quarter, which he admits is a constant struggle.
“When things go well for us, we get a little too high,” Justus explained, “we start to relax [and] lose our attention to details.”
Federal Hocking will continue its season on Jan. 19 against South Gallia.