Hardwood Heroes
Alexander Spartans take late season win over River Valley
By: Bryce Tinson
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BIDWELL, Ohio (WOUB) – The Alexander Spartans (14-6, 8-3) took the trip to take on the River Valley Raiders (1-20, 0-11) in a makeup game from a postponement earlier in the season. It would be the final regular season game for both teams ahead of playoffs, and Alexander won 59-55.
The Raiders were looking to pull off the upset and win their first conference game of the season, jumping out to a quick four, nothing lead. Alexander quickly responded, taking the lead, as the Kyler D’Augustino show began. He went on to score the first 16 points for the Spartans. He found most of his success in the paint, contorting his body to get to the rim.
Alexander extended their 12-10 first quarter lead as others started to get involved, however it wouldn’t last for long. Kade Alderman for River Valley had six rebounds in the first quarter alone. His rebounding efforts on the defensive end kept Zack Barnhouse quiet as he usually devours those second chance points.
Alderman added in the points column as well, going for 13 in the first half. The culmination was a three from the right wing that he kissed off the glass. That three gave River Valley a 27-26 lead going into halftime.
The third was all Alexander. They scored 17 in the quarter and played tenacious defense, forcing five turnovers, and blocking four shots. Those four blocks came courtesy of Barnhouse who finished the game with eight total. The Raiders were only able to muster eight points in the quarter as the game got away from them.
It was more of the same in the fourth, however. D’Augustino continued to fill up the bucket, finishing the night with 35 points. He added seven rebounds, all coming on the defensive end. River Valley made it close in the end as Braden Bennett drilled two threes within the last minute of the game and Alexander struggled converting from the line, but it wasn’t enough.
Alexander finishes the regular season in second place in the TVC-Ohio. River Valley ends their season without a conference win. The Spartans take on Gallia Academy in their first playoff action. The Raiders will travel to Jackson to take on the Ironmen.