By George Starks |
New Madison- Before the start of the game between Tri-Village and Carlisle, Patriots coach Josh Sagester was visibly concerned.
“This is a good team and we need this game,”
By the final buzzer, Sagester was visibly relieved as his Patriots went to 9-0 on the season with a 62-48 victory over the visiting Indians.
Tri-Village jumped out to the early 13-3 first quarter lead and never looked back, leading at the intermission, 32-10.
The start of the second half watched the Tribe bringing the game to the Patriots , getting the deficit under 10 points at one point.
“We have to remember that these are 15, 16 and 17 year old kids,” said Sagester. “I’m very happy about getting this win. My kids came out ready to play and we played Patriot basketball. I think I might have given them a little too much praise at halftime and I think they lost focus. “
At the end of the third quarter, the Patriots had opened up a 17 point lead, 45-28.
Even though the score was showing a lopsided score, the Patriots had their share of problems.
“I think we got caught up in the helter skelter of what they wanted to do in the second half, ” Sagester admitted. “We didn’t have our point guard on the floor a little bit in the fourth quarter and we need him on the floor. We didn’t take care of the ball as well as we wanted to. Regardless, it was a good win for us.”
It was the usual suspects that led the way with three players scoring in double figures as sophomore Trey Sagester led the way with 18 points.
However, it was the play of the man in the middle, Dom Black.
Black only netted six points but he opened up the middle forcing the Indians to make a adjustment on defense.
“Dom had a very good game and he’s coming into his own,” Sagester said. “He demands a lot of space in there. He’s a big kid and he uses his body to create that space. He’s a space eater and that’s hard to find these days. He brings something different to the table and it’s nice to have that in our arsenal. He’s got a really good IQ of the game. He always knows what we’re looking for and that’s a nice place to be if you’re playing for me.”
The Patriots will look to go 10-0 Friday as Ansonia will invade The Battleground in a key WOAC clash.
“If someone would have told me that we would be 9-0 at this point would have taken it,” Sagester admitted. “We’ve just got to put the pieces together and keep it going.”
The Tigers went to 3-6 Tuesday with a 62-40 win over Mississinawa Valley.
CNO Photos by George Starks. Left: Tri-Village sophomore Trey Sagester drops a trey in the first half. The three pointer was part of his game high 18 for the Patriots. TV won the battle with Carlisle, 62-48. Right: Patriot sophomore Kasen Hollinger puls down a rebound during the second quarter.