Spartans Win Final Home Game — Head for Tournament
Germantown, OH (February 20, 2004)— Brian Gunter was excited to see his team take home a win Friday against Preble Shawnee. And he should be.
Valley View's record went up to 14-6 and Gunter's final season goal was successfully completed. The win was a redemption win for the Spartans, having fallen to the Arrows by three points earlier in the season.
The Spartans weren't looking for a win to take the league title, but the Arrows were. After the Spartans took the 53-51 win to their record books, they also took away the Arrow's chance for an SWBL title.
The Spartans took control in the first quarter, as they took a 12-9 lead. After the second quarter the Spartans remained on top with a six point advantage. The game remained close, but the Spartans managed to keep the lead throughout the rest of the game and they took their last regular season win for the team and their three seniors; Brandon Hassell, Cole Sizemore and Teddy Buehner.
"What a great game! Preble Shawnee came in 7-2 in the league and we took the win. It was a total team effort, it had to be. It's been a real privilege to coach these guys," Gunter said.
After a brief ceremony for the Seniors, the game began with Brandon Deaton scoring the opening shot. Preble Shawnee came back with a six point run, but Hassell matched those six points making the score 10-6. With 1:20 remaining, the Arrows made a basket and Trey Weidle answered back. Preble Shawnee hit a free throw before the end of the quarter and the score became 12-9.
"It was a dogfight throughout he entire game and the whole team played great and worked together," Gunter said.
The second quarter was all defense for both teams, as Valley View could only score seven points and Preble Shawnee was held to just four points.
Hassell opened the quarter with a free throw and seconds later he hit a basket. With 5:50 remaining the Arrows hit the first of their two baskets, but Buehner hit a basket before the Arrows scored for the second time. Weidle finished off the quarter with his shot and the score became 19-13.
Things began to pick up again for the Spartans in the third quarter.
Hassell opened the third quarter with a basket before the Arrows came back to score. Deaton and Sizemore hit back-to-back baskets before the Arrows hit a three-point shot. Preble Shawnee scored another three points before Stephen Henry hit a basket. With 1:53 remaining the Arrows made a free throw, but Mark Ratliff came back with a basket. After the Arrows added another five points to their score Henry finished the quarter with a basket making the score 31-27.
"Though we were playing exceptional basketball we went to full coverage during the third quarter," Gunter added. Both teams came on strong in the final quarter, as Valley View added 22 points and Preble Shawnee added 24 points.
Deaton opened the quarter with a basket and the Arrows came back and scored. Buehner scored before the Arrows and then Buehner came back adding another three points to the score. Preble Shawnee scored a basket and a free throw, but Ratliff and Weidle came back with baskets. Things started to really heat up after Preble Shawnee hit two, three-point baskets making the score 42-40.
Hassell answered back with basket, but then the Arrows scored again. Deaton gave the Spartans some breathing room after he hit a basket and free throw.
The score became 47-44 after a basket by the Arrows, but Deaton came back with another basket. At the :58 marker Hassell fouled out, but the rest of the team stepped up and finished the win. Preble Shawnee added three points before Sizemore hit a pair of free throws making the score 51-48. Once again the tension rose when Preble Shawnee hit a long three to tie the score with only :17 remaining in the game. After several time outs Ratliff came out and made the basket that won Valley View's last home game of the 2004 season.
"It was a great high school basketball game. It was Senior Night and we really wanted this win. Now our record is 14-6 and 5-5 in the league," Gunter said.
"Wešre a little disappointed with our division, but this game gave us great momentum for the tournament game. We have a great ball club when we handle the ball," Gunter noted. Hassell led the team in scoring with 15 points, while Deaton stepped up for the Spartans with 11 points.
"Deaton did a great job and he really stepped up for us in scoring," Gunter added.
The Spartans return to action this Saturday for their first tournament game, after a bye, against the winner of the Little Miami vs. Carroll game.
Hassell (12.32 rebounds and 16.84 points), Buehner (12.24 points and 4.59 rebounds), and Sizemore (11.18 points and 6.24 assists) will lead the court for the Spartans.
