Vinton County keeps TVC-Ohio title hopes alive with vital win over Meigs
By: Maxwell Mingay, Tyler Stevens
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POMEROY, Ohio (WOUB) — Vinton County entered Meigs with only one goal; win and secure a share of the TVC Ohio crown.
The first time these teams met in the season a scuffle broke out and Vinton County was able to come away with the win.
Coulter Cleland had other plans for this game, and he set those in action early as he scored or assisted on the Marauders first four baskets.
Meigs then fell into hard foul trouble as it seemed every time the Vikings were on offense the whistles were being blown, by the end of the first quarter the Marauders had committed nine fouls yet led 17-14.
The second quarter came and so did Ethan Stewart, he drained back-to-back threes and followed it up with a mid-range bucket giving the Marauders a spark while Coulter Cleland sat.
Sadly, for Meigs that spark did not stop the foul trouble as they were still unable to keep Vinton County from another quarter in the bonus. By the half the Vikings had shot fourteen free throws compared to none from the Marauders yet Meigs still led 31-28.
Entering the second half Eli Radabaugh had only two points but it seemed halftime was all he needed to get his shot back as he had six of Vinton County’s first ten second half points. Meigs was able to hold off the Vikings run and led 42-40.
In the fourth quarter the flood gates broke loose for Vinton County as they were able to have their way on both sides of the floor only allowing eight points and scoring 22 themselves. The Marauders were forced to full court press and that was the final nail in the coffin as the team seemed to be out of energy and started rushing shots late in the game.
As the final buzzer sounded the score was 62-50 and Vinton County secured a share of the TVC Ohio crown. The final free throw numbers were 23-4 in favor of the Vikings and Radabaugh ended with 16 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists on 62.5% shooting.
“We knew we were going to come into a tough environment, Vinton County head coach, Matt Combs, said. “They made it a true road game for us it was tough.”
Vinton County will play Alexander the 8th in a game that will decide if the Vikings hold total control of the TVC and Meigs will play Wellston the 8th.