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Even
though the Tri-Village Patriots left the state dance one game
sooner than expected,
head coach Josh Sagester has a lot to look
forward to. The Patriots, ranked second in
the state, lost its horse in
Tyler Cook, but they will come back with Damien Cook, Tyler
VanWinkle, Colton Linkous and Mason McCabe next season.
CNO Photos by Dylan Knoop
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Patriots have bright 2015 season
Four Patriots
return to the court
By George Starks
NEW MADISON- When Tri-Village closed out the 2014 regular season, it
did so with a bad taste being left in the mouths of fans in Patriot
Nation.
After suffering a disappointing 54-50 loss to the eventual state
champions, Convoy Crestview, Tri-Village lost two seniors.
Tommy Bell waved goodbye as did his senior brother, Tyler Cook.
Cook was named the D-IV Player of the Year and averaged 19.4 points per
game. Cook scored 1,165 points in his career with 670 rebounds.
“It’s hard when you know the D-IV Player of the Year is leaving,” said
Patriots coach Josh Sagester. “He’s been our horse and now we need to
find a new one. Thankfully, the player on my left is coming back. He’s
a pretty big piece of the puzzle and we are going to rely on him.”
The horse Sagester may have been referring to was Cook’s cousin Damien.
Damien was a strong scoring threat for the Patriots, not only from the
outside, but in the paint as well.
Not only did the Patriot junior get it done on offense, but he was a
force on the glass.
In several of the Patriots 26 wins, Cook was a dominating force on the
offensive and defensive boards, recording several double-doubles to
help lead Tri-Village.
Damien was proud to be able to go to state with Tyler.
“It’s been a great ride this season,” said Damien after the Crestview
loss. “Losing him is a great loss to this team and the program. Now, we
have to get back in the gym and get to work for next season. We’re
losing two seniors, but we have a bunch of good guys left.
The Patriots will return many good players.
Damien, as well as Colton Linklous and Mason McCabe will return for
their senior seasons. In addition, Tyler VanWinkle will be at the point
for his junior year.
Linkous and McCabe both demonstrated the ability to make the opposition
suffer with their deadly ability to hit from outside the three-point
mark.
At the point, VanWinkle with be the glue that will hold the Patriots
offense together.
As a sophomore. VanWinkle proved how valuable he was handling the ball
despite making sophomore mistakes.
With a huge gap to fill, it’s quite obvious to Patriots fans, as well
as those in the Cross County Conference, that the Patriots could very
well be the team to beat once again.
However, there could be one team lurking in the shadows that could
upend the Patriots dream for an undisputed CCC title…Franklin Monroe!
Winning the outright conference title is only one thing the Pats will
have their eyes on. The other will be another trip to the state.
The Patriots will once again be loaded for bear and Sagester will be
looking at another trip to Columbus.
“This is a first class operation with the OHSAA and the Schottonstein
Center, but anytime you get here, you want to win,” said
Sagester.
Could the Patriots bring home the first ever boys state basketball
title?
Only time will tell.
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