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Brayden Whiting recovers the ball for Athens to take a shot on Trace’s basket in the first half of the the Boys Division II Semifinal game at the Convocation Center on Thursday, February 28, 2019. Zane Trace High School defeated Athens High School 48-28. (HANNAH SCHROEDER/ WOUB)

Athens’ Memorable Season Comes to a Close

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A sectional title along with cutting down the nets as conference champions is a successful year for any team.

But for this years’ Athens Bulldogs it was even more special with the deep senior class that served as the anchor to their run.

Not only did the Bulldogs have to take on the top seeded Zane Trace Pioneers Thursday in the Convo, but they had many other issues to deal with throughout the game.

Eli Chubb was sick, Isaiah Butcher could not play in the first half due to a suspension and Logan Maxfield went down in the third quarter with an injury to his leg and would not return.

Brayden Markins, 4, of Athens takes a three point shot in the first half of the Semifinal of the OHSAA Boys Basketball State Championship at Ohio University’s Convocation Center on Thursday, February 28, 2019. Zane Trace High School defeated Athens High School 48-28. (HANNAH SCHROEDER/ WOUB)
Logan Maxfield, 25, of Athens dribbles the ball in for a shot on Trace’s basket during the Division II Semifinal of the OHSAA Boys Basketball State Championship at Ohio University’s Convocation Center on Thursday, February 28, 2019. Zane Trace High School defeated Athens High School 48-28. (HANNAH SCHROEDER/ WOUB)
Isiah Butcher, 33, of Athens dribbles through Trace’s defense to take a shot on their basket during the Division II Semifinal of the OHSAA State Championship at Ohio University’s Convocation Center Center on Thursday, February 28, 2019. Athens High School lost to Zane Trace High School 48-28. (HANNAH SCHROEDER/ WOUB)
Justin Hynes, 32, of Athens High School chases after the ball as it goes out of bounds during the Division II Semifinal of the OHSAA State Championship at Ohio University’s Convocation Center Center on Thursday, February 28, 2019. Athens High School lost to Zane Trace High School 48-28. (HANNAH SCHROEDER/ WOUB)
Athens High School and Zane Trace High School players shake hands after the OHSAA Boys Basketball State Championship at Ohio University’s Convocation Center on Thursday, February 28, 2019. Zane Trace High School defeated Athens High School 48-28. (HANNAH SCHROEDER/ WOUB)

All of this led to the Bulldogs never being able to get in a rhythm offensively and their season would come to an end with a 48-28 loss to the Pioneers.

“We just didn’t play very well, we started that game and couldn’t make a bucket, and it just snowballed from there,” Athens head coach Mickey Cozart said. “When things start snowballing you forget to do the little things like boxing out and rebounding, it’s just a panic mode and we got into it way too early.”

Athens only form of offense in the first half came from Elijah Williams.

The senior floor general finished the half with seven points and showed off his speed with two transition layups.

Unfortunately, everyone else was ice cold from the field and the Bulldogs finished the half with just 11 points and found themselves heading to the locker room with a 15-point deficit.

The Bulldogs were able to find a bit of a spark in the third quarter as they scored more points in the quarter than they did in the entire first half.

But Zane Trace’s leading scorers Nick Nesser and Cam Evans were too much for Athens as they both finished in double figures and Nesser was just a rebound shy of a double-double.

Even with the tough ending this is not a season that they will soon forget in the Plains.

“It sucks we have to go home, but I’m proud of our guys,” said Athens point guard Elijah Williams. “I mean we’re sectional champs and division champs, and I love these guys. I know the guys next year will be ready, and I’m excited to watch them”.

Even though the season did not finish with the result it deserved, seniors Logan Maxfield, Elijah Williams, Eli Chubb, Justin Hynes, Josh Mace, Blake Stover and Gage Penrod will have a lasting legacy in the Plains with this season.