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Tri-Village
senior Tyler Cook holds the District trophy high after the
Patriots bombed Ft. Loramie, 62-37 Thursday at UD Arena.
The Patriots
will now head to the Sweet 16 game next Thursday at Trent Arena in
Kettering. CNO Photos by George Starks
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Patriots send Redskins back to Ft. Loramie
Tri-Village makes
Sweet 16
By George Starks
DAYTON - Like a well-oiled machine, the Tri-Village Patriots jumped out
to an early 7-0 lead and never looked back.
Led by senior Tyler Cook (24 points), Ft. Loramie had no answer for the
Patriot big man as Tri-Village whipped out a massive 62-37 victory in
district action Wednesday at the UD Arena.
“I couldn’t have asked for any more from our kids,” said TV coach Josh
Sagester. “I thought we rose to the occasion. We talked about our
program being here numerous times. I really don’t think we could have
played any better on this stage, given the circumstances.”
In addition to his 24 points, Tyler pulled down 12 rebounds with four
off the offensive glass. To add insult to injury, he blocked two shots
and had two steals.
“What more can you say about that young man other than that he’s a
horse,” said Sagester. “We know where our bread and butter is at, and
that’s in the paint. With both Cooks (Tyler and Damien), and Colton
Linkous able to make perimeter shots. Our two guards did what they’ve
done all year long, and that’s play hard-nosed defense. Mason McCabe
stepped up and made a big shot for us. We had to go out there and just
be us. We call that ‘The Patriot Way’. He’s the first player to win
back-to-back district titles as a starter. He rose to the occasion
tonight.”
It was a year ago the then undefeated Patriots rolled into the regional
before bowing out at Trent Arena to Troy Christian.
Now the Patriots (25-1) are looking to prove they are no fluke and that
history will not repeat itself.
“I think our kids looked confident and felt confident,” said Sagester.
“Obviously, this was a hurdle that we had to get over, but we’ve been
waiting a long time to get back to the Sweet 16. We put on a better
performance than we did the last time, and it could be ironic that it
could be the Troy Christian Eagles.”
On a night when it was a total team effort, Sagester watched junior
Damien Cook play through foul trouble to finish with 11 points and 13
rebounds.
“He probably played half the game because of foul trouble,” said
Sagester. “He’s had a phenomenal year, and he’s a tough match-up for
three or four teams.”
But through it all, it all started with the guard play of senior Tommy
Bell, seven points, two boards and four assists.
“He’s been a program kick for us. He’s worked his rear-end off all four
years for me,” Sagester said of his senior guard. “To see him flourish
in a game like this tonight is special. He’s a very good defender and
makes sure the ball goes where it’s supposed to go. He never complains
and I couldn’t be happier for him.”
After all the glitter had fallen, Tyler weighed in on the Patriots
achievement of back-to-back district championships.
“This feel pretty great,” said Cook. “There’s been a lot of great
players come through Tri-Village, and to be the first one to go
back-to-back really feels great.”
Tri-Village will play Tuesday night at Kettering Fairmont's Trent Arena
against the Troy Christian Eagles.
Troy Christian topped Lockland 73-63 in its district game.
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Tyler
Cook gets two of his game high 24 points against the Redskins.
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Tri-Village
coach Josh Sagester holds the net high for all the Patriots fans to
see.
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