Hardwood Heroes Sports
Lancers Stave Off Trimble, Take First Place in TVC-Hocking
By: Joe Collins
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STEWART, Ohio- It’s been one crazy ride for the senior boys on Federal Hocking. Their freshman year, they didn’t win a single game. Their sophomore year, they won two and just six their junior year. Their senior year has been nothing short of spectacular so far. After Friday night’s victory, two more victories will guarantee them their first TVC-Hocking title since 2013.
The Lancers (16-4) (13-1) defeated the Trimble Tomcats (14-3) (10-2) in front of a sold-out crowd at Federal Hocking High School. The Lancers only conference defeat came at the hands of the Tomcats earlier in the year, 59-52. This time around, things would be different.
Team Ticia
There was an emotional moment before the game started. Ticia Jarvis, mother of Federal Hocking junior Collin Jarvis, was diagnosed with cancer. Before the game, they had Ticia come out to center court, where the whole Lancer team came out in pink shirts that had the cancer ribbon on the front and on the back, it said “Team Ticia.” Each player had a pink rose, which they promptly gave to Mrs. Jarvis. As tears streamed down her cheeks, the first person she hugged, was her son Collin. A huge roar of applause came from everyone in the gym.
Once the ball was tipped, the Lancers used the electric atmosphere to speed out of the gate and jump out to a 16-4 lead and they were fired up because of it. They were getting to loose balls, forcing turnovers and their passing was on point. They really utilized the concept of the home run pass on a few occasions.
Brad Russell: Difference Maker
In an important game, sometimes it has to be your most experienced players that rise to the occasion. Friday night, that was none other than Brad Russell. The senior picked an important game to have one of his best performances of the season. He registered a double-double with a game high 26 points and 12 rebounds, while also adding five assists. There were many plays during the game where Russell would leap high up in the air and snag the ball away, using his great vertical jump to turn what would be defensive rebounds for the other team, into offensive rebounds.
The Lancers would continue to control the pace of the first half and head into the locker room with a 41-25 lead.
Tomcats Make it Close
The Tomcats are not a team that is going to go down lightly. The offensive attack of Blake Guffey and Cameron Kittle led the second half charge for the Tomcats. They were forcing turnovers, moving the ball around much more effectively than in the first half and knocking down shots. Guffey and Kittle both finished with 18 points while Austin Wisor had 14.
With a few seconds remaining, in what was once a 16 point lead for the Lancers, had dwindled down to only two. With 1 1/2 seconds left, Russell missed a free throw. Trimble got the rebound and launched the ball towards the other end. Too short. The Lancers survive 69-67. The team celebrated and the student section rushed the court. Pure elation on the faces of the Lancers.
What this means
This was Federal Hockings first win against Trimble since 2013. seven years it had been of Trimble dominance, that night ended. The Lancers take first place in the TVC-Hocking with a 13-1 conference record. Their 13th win ties the 2013 squad for the most conference wins in School history. To this team, while the win is bittersweet, they’re not done yet. They still have two conference games this upcoming week. Tuesday at Eastern and next Friday will be their senior night against South Gallia. For now, they got the monkey of their back, or in this case, Tomcat.