Sports
Waterford Storms Back To Top Miller, 58-55
By: Nick Henthorn
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The Waterford Wildcats defeated the Miller Falcons 58-55 in an electric game where the outcome was not decided until the final seconds.
The Wildcats found themselves down by eight points entering the final quarter of play, and would not take the lead until the final two minutes of the game.
Waterford relied on an aggressive defense that forced 14 Falcon turnovers, and excellent crunch-time free throw shooting to secure the victory.
The win, coupled with a Trimble loss to Southern on the same night, vaulted Waterford into first place in the the TVC-Hocking.
The Wildcats controlled the game early on, winning the opening quarter 17-14 and opening up a lead as big as eight points by the middle of the second period, leading 24-16 with 4:40 left in quarter two after a three pointer from Travis Pottmeyer.
Waterford’s offense would stall from there though, as they would go on to score only five more points in the half and enter halftime tied with the Falcons.
Halftime adjustments would not aid the Wildcats immediatley, as their offense would fail to score in the first five minutes of the second half. During this time Miller was able to take a 29-36 lead and finish the third quarter ahead 35-43.
The fourth quarter would prove to be a different story, though, as Waterford roared back, cutting the lead to two after a converted and-one from Russell Young with 3:17 in the game.
The Wildcats would claw their way into the lead from there on the backs of 5-6 three throw shooting and three Falcon turnovers during that time period.
Ferocious defense and turnovers like the ones Waterford forced in the game’s waning minutes was lauded by Head Coach Tim Simms in his team’s victory.
“Defense, defense, and defense, because our offense wasn’t pretty.” Coach Simms said when asked for three reasons Waterford won.
During a season in which Waterford forward Travis Pottmeyer, who had 14 points and five steals, stated the team “has to learn each other, play each other, figure out what works best for the team, just basically play together,” games like this one served as a prime opportunity to do just that.
Looking ahead, Waterford will hit the road to face Eastern on Saturday, and Miller will be at home against Wahama on the same day.