Federal Hocking Overcomes Adversity Against Eastern
By: Alex Porter
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REEDSVILLE, Ohio. – It was senior night for the Eastern Eagles on Tuesday and a huge TVC-Hocking showdown against the Federal Hocking Lancers. The Lancers were looking to at least secure a share of the TVC-Hocking with a win in Reedsville.
Slow and sloppy described the play for both sides throughout the game. In the end, after a double overtime, it was the Lancers who came out victorious 61-53 over the Eastern Eagles on senior night.
It was a low scoring contest right out of the gate as the score at the end of the first quarter was only 11-9 in favor of the Eagles. Coaches from both sides were visibly upset throughout the game.
A key to the game was the fouling. Seniors for the Eagles, Garrett Barringer, Colton Reynolds and Mason Dishong fouled out at important points in the game. Barringer, who surpassed the 1,000-point career mark last week, fouled out in the first overtime. Reynolds and Dishong fouled out in the second overtime.
The three players who fouled out finished the game with a combined 37 points, over half of Eastern’s scoring.
The Lancers also found themselves in foul trouble throughout the game. Guard Nathaniel Massie fouled out in the overtime period. He finished with five points and two rebounds.
With some offensive struggles late in the game for Federal Hocking, head coach Jonathan Thompson turned to contributors off his bench. Like he’s done all season, senior Quinton Basim rose to the occasion when his number was called, and he delivered.
“Quinton was a spark off the bench,” Thompson said. “I feel like he gave us a spark and energy.”
The spark from Basim was the key to boost the Lancers to victory. Basim played with energy the whole game, but really came alive in the second overtime. With crucial help from the reserves, the Lancers scored 12 points in double overtime sealing the win.
“I’m just glad that we dealt with adversity as a team and had each other’s backs to pull one out,” Thompson said.
Other key contributors for the Lancers was the twin tower combination of Elijah Lucas and Brad Russell. Lucas and Russell were physical in the paint and on the boards as they finished with a majority of Federal Hocking’s rebounding. They also got it done in the scoring column, as Lucas finished with 14 points and Russell with 10.
The biggest offensive weapon all season for the Lancers has been Hunter Smith doing what he does best against the Eagles – finishing with 17 points, while knocking down big three’s down the stretch.
“I can’t do anything without my team being around me,” Smith said. “They give me the ball so I can get the shots.”
With the win, the Lancers would receive their 14th TVC-Hocking win this season, the most in school history.
The Lancers now have a share of the TVC-Hocking but have their eyes on Friday where they take on the South Gallia Rebels and can win the conference outright with a win.
“I know we have at least a share at this point, but I’ve talked with the kids and we want to win it outright,” Thompson said. “We have a tough game against South Gallia, so we have to prepare well these next two days of practice.”