Tomcats go down to the wire, defeat Spartans 36-34
By: Andrew Rowan
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GLOUSTER, Ohio (WOUB) – The Trimble Tomcats (11-6, 3-4 TVC-Hocking) hosted the Alexander Spartans (10-7, 6-2 TVC-Ohio) for a weeknight matchup on Tuesday. The two stayed neck-and-neck all four quarters, but Trimble came out on top to win with a final score of 36-34.
The Tomcats struck first and then got off to a 6-0 run thanks to strong rebounding and defense early. Junior McKenzie Eing was the driving force behind all their rebounds, ending the night with 5 rebounds for herself. Her dominance in the paint helped Trimble hold the lead before the end of the quarter, 11-7.
When asked how it feels to be able to lead her team, Eing reflected on the role her team needs her to fill. “My team’s counting on me to get those rebounds,” said Eing after the game.
The second quarter was packed with back-and-forth scoring, with Spartans Sophomore Lily Ryder making a couple free throws to keep Alexander’s hopes alive. Trimble looked to stop those hopes right in their tracks by getting two steals to tack on another 4 points, which forced the Spartans to call a timeout with 4 minutes left, 20-14. After the timeout, the Tomcats would hurt themselves by committing 2 fouls, allowing the Spartans to add 4 points of their own before the clock expired, ending the first half 20-18 Trimble.
Foul trouble continued into the second half with both teams losing their first possessions of the third quarter. Trimble finished the night with 21 fouls and Alexander with 15. With 42 seconds left in the quarter, Ryder proved herself yet again by making 2 crucial free throws to tie it up 26-26.
Opening the fourth quarter, both teams exchanged scores, with Junior Rilynn Fouts breaking the tie for Trimble. Alexander would catch a big break with yet another foul, this time on Ryder, who hit another 2 free throws to tie it up again at 30-all with 3:13 left. Both traded blows with Fouts giving the Tomcats the lead again, and Trimble would take a timeout with less than a minute to go. The Spartans blundered and turned the ball over and the Tomcats’ McKenna Moore would score the last 2 points with back-to-back free throws, with only 8 seconds on the clock. Alexander would have a chance to tie the game with only 6 seconds left, but Trimble would get the rebound off the missed shot, sealing the game as Trimble came out on top with a final score of 36-34.
The Trimble Tomcats (11-6, 3-4 TVC-Hocking) look to keep this energy at home on Thursday versus Belpre (10-6, 5-2 TVC-Hocking). The Alexander Spartans (10-7, 6-2 TVC-Ohio) will hope to bounce back in a crucial TVC-Ohio game at home against the Athens Bulldogs (14-3, 9-0 TVC-Ohio)