NEW PARIS — Twin Valley South’s boys’ basketball team avenged its only loss of the season with a 70-54 win over host National Trail on Tuesday, Dec. 18.
The Panthers shot the ball well, making 25-of-40 shots for the game, and raced out to an 18-5 first quarter lead and never looked back.
South held the Blazers to 1-of-18 shooting in the first quarter.
“We still did not do a good job of taking care of the basketball but we did a great job of shooting it when we didn’t turn it over,” South coach Tony Augspurger said.
The Panthers committed 22 turnovers, but their high shooting percentage more than made up for the miscues.
Senior Willie Bowman led South with 22 points, seven rebounds and four assists. He scored 14 in the second half and was 6-for-6 from the foul line in the fourth quarter.
Senior Nathan Osborn added 17 points, 10 in the second half.
Senior Jayden Bassler had his first double-double, scoring 11 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. He also four assists and three steals.
Senior Cade Cottingim and junior Cole Peterson added 11 and nine points respectively.
“(We) played very well in the second and third quarters and made just enough free throws in the fourth (quarter) to not let it get too interesting,” Augspurger said.
South led 37-23 at the half and 52-33 after three quarters.
The win for South avenged a 40-31 loss in the final of the Twin Valley South Holiday Tournament on Dec. 1.
“(It was a) very big road win in the CCC for us,” Augspurger said.
For Trail, sophomore Cameron Harrison finished with 22 points, 20 coming in the second half.
Zach Woodall tallied 16.
On Friday, Trail knocked of Tri-County North 83-55, while Twin Valley South was scheduled to play Miami East. No score was reported the South/Miami East game.
South (5-1, 2-0 CCC) will next play at the Preble Shawnee Holiday Tournament on Friday, Dec. 28, at 7:30 p.m. versus Tri-County North.
Trail (6-2, 1-2) will play at Dixie on Dec. 28.
