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When Tri-Village opened the 2015-16 basketball season Saturday against
Southeastern, it was
about more than just opening night. The 2015 state
champs were re-united and honored before
the game. CNO Photos by Dylan
Knoop
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A night to
remember for Patriot Nation
By George Starks
NEW MADISON- Saturday night before the start of the game between
Southeastern and Tri-Village, the 2015 state champions were honored.
And fittingly so.
It’s not every year a team of that caliber comes along.
In fact, it’s very rare.
The 2015 Patriots not only won the D-IV state title but went 30-0 in
the process.
The last time a boys team won state in Darke County was in 1969 when
Arcanum did it.
That was 46 years ago.
I have to admit, Saturday was a proud moment in TV school history and
for all the alumni that was present to witness it.
To be honest, I never thought I would see a year in sports like 2015.
As I sat and watched the video of the season that would eventually end
with the game winning shot made by Colton Linkous, it brought on a
sense of pride for everyone.
Patriots coach Josh Sagester said it best when he said, “there were a
lot of points out there on that floor tonight that I was hugging.”
Damien Cook (23 points a game) and Linkous (21 points a game) led a
team that was winning games by an average margin of 37 points a game,
capped off by a two point win over Winchester Canal Harvest Prep in
Columbus.
While no coach will ever take credit for a teams success, Sagester in
in a class of his own.
The former Brookville standout has known nothing but success in his
career.
Even at Mercer Collage, Sagester led the Bears on the court as the
guard.
Now, Sagester and his dad, Mick are still together and proving to all
that winning is not only a part of sports but a part of life.
Cook (Edison CC), Linkous (Cedarville) and the rest of the graduates of
that team will carry these values through life.
After winning 30 in a row in 2015, T-V got its first win of the 2016
season Saturday in overtime, 66-62.
While many, myself included, would like another state gold trophy at
Tri-Village, I think the question is a simple one.
Can this team, led by senior Tyler VanWinkle (14 points) and junior
Gavin Richards (26 points) as well as junior transfer Trace Couch (21
points) get the job done?
The answer is yes but only if the will to do it is there.
Can the Patriots go undefeated in 2016 and give us another 30-0 season?
It’s possible but not probable.
The odds of that happening are astronomical.
One thing is for certain.
Like him or dislike him, Sagester has set a bar at Tri-Village that my
never be topped.
Not in my lifetime anyway!
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Patriots
coach Josh Sagester, holds the state net after his team capped
off a thrilling
two point win in Columbus to win the D-IV state
basketball championship.
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