Sports
River Valley gets overtime win over Unioto for first regional semifinal win since 1963
By: Evan Johnson
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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) – The River Valley Vikings faced the Unioto Shermans in the Division IV regional semifinals. The Vikings saw themselves in a double-digit deficit late in the game but climbed out of it to send the game to overtime. From there River Valley dominated, winning their first regional semifinal since 1963 with a final score of 66-65.
Both teams were chasing school history, and Unioto looked to win their first regional semifinal in school history. While River Valley was going for their second school history and attempting to become the first team in school history to go to the final four.
Fans from both schools packed the Convocation Center and brought a true playoff atmosphere. The Shermans fed off the energy and drained four threes to start the game and get an early lead of 18-10.
From there the River Valley defense stepped up, they started forcing turnovers and turning them into points. Sophomore Carter Myers hit a big three under two minutes in the half to tie the game at 30.
Each team traded tough baskets to end the game, but Unioto got the one to give them the edge going into the half.
The offense slowed down in the third quarter, but they started to get going a couple of minutes in after trading back-to-back three-pointers.
The Shermans started to pull away, after getting to the charity stripe several times. The Vikings were not able to force turnovers and instead kept fouling.
In the final quarter, River Valley found life again, their defense locked in and propelled them to a 12-0 run. The lead did not last long as both teams kept going back and forth.
Down two in the final minute the Vikings were able to find the shot they were looking for to tie it up. The Shermans had 11 seconds left to make the final shot of the game, but the River Valley defense stepped up yet again forcing a turnover with 0.8 seconds left. Unable to make a final shot the game went into overtime.
Just 10 seconds in, the Vikings could drain a three, and Unioto fell flat. They did not make their first basket until two minutes in. The Shermans had to play the foul game, hoping River Valley would miss their shots.
The Vikings missed several free throws, allowing Unioto to have a chance to tie the game yet again. But the Shermans settled for a lay-up in the final seconds, when they were down three. River Valley held the ball to win their first regional semifinal since 1963.
“I feel great, it was a great win, we had to battle back. They trusted each and they were able to get it,” said River Valley head coach Rodney Brown.
Despite the loss Unioto had a successful season, first-year head coach Matt Combs won the school’s fourth district title. The Shermans picked up 23 wins on the season.
River Valley will have a chance to become the first team in school history to go to the state final four when they go against Maysville on Sunday.