Sports
Meigs Stumbles in Season Opener
By: Alex Harrison
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What started out as a sloppy, hard-nosed battle ended as a thrilling 70-53 Gallia Academy season-opening victory over Meigs.
The Marauders were looking rough heading into halftime. Gallia Academy was ahead 42-25 thanks to the Marauders heavy fouling that forced starters onto the bench and that put the Blue Devils into the bonus in the first quarter.
Something changed when the teams came out for the second half, however. Whatever bug Meigs began the game with moved over to Gallia Academy.
The Blue Devils were losing the basketball and missing shots. Meigs adjusted admirably. The Marauders were now breaking Gallia Academy’s defense and scoring and the home crowd cheered Meigs closer and closer.
The entire third quarter was a 15-8 run for the Marauders to enter the final quarter down 50-40.
Meigs continued pushing and chugging closer to the Blue Devil lead. TJ Williams started the fourth quarter for Meigs instantly sinking a three-pointer. A 16-1 run was started by Williams and capped off with another three by Luke Musser. The Gallia Academy lead was only 56-51.
Meigs had all the momentum, but Gallia Academy brought it to a halt. The Blue Devils drained time and the already foul-troubled Marauders had to foul. The Blue Devils did not let the free throw opportunities slip, converting eight of nine in the quarter.
Slipping behind faster and faster, the Marauders went into a panic and never got their groove back. Meigs started taking poor shots and tried to gain traction shooting only three-pointers. The shots started to fall as air balls and so did the Marauders’ chances.
The Blue Devils were sent to victory by Justin McCleland’s 14 points, nine rebounds and four assists and Justin Peck added a double-double 13 points and 12 rebounds. Evan Wiseman also threw in a double-double with 11 points and rebounds. The towering Zach Loveday also swatted his way for five blocks.
Gallia Academy rides the win to next face Point Pleasant while Meigs will battle Warren for its first win of the season.