COVINGTON – Friday was a special night as the Covington Buccaneers honored the senior class by capturing their first victory against a league opponent by defeating Riverside 67-60 in front of a large crowd.
And it was a fast start that sparked Covington and led to to momentum that was carried throughout the rest of the game. The Buccs built a 19-7 lead after one thanks to the hot shooting of Bryson Hite, who scored 14 of his game-high 27 points in the first.
Covington maintained its double digit lead at the break 34-24 as Hite and Tanner Palsgrove both connected on threes, while Britton Miller scored on a traditional three-point play and hit a jumper. Palsgrove also converted on a pair of two-point buckets as well.
Riverside heated up in the third period by scoring 19 points, but Covington was able to maintain a nine-point lead thanks to balanced scoring. Britton Miller scored six points in the stanza, while Hite and Angle scored five points each and Palsgrove hit a bucket to keep the Buccs on top 52-43.
Riverside threatened down the stretch by connecting on three treys, but the Buccaneers were able to fend off the Pirates by converting on nine of 13 free throws in the final period to hold on for a 67-60 victory. Overall, Covington converted on 16 of 25 free throws in the contest, while Riverside made 7 of 9.
As previously stated, Bryson Hite led all scorers with a game-high 27 points, which is also a career high for the Buccaneer junior. Britton Miller scored 20 points as well for the Buccs.
The victory boosts Covington’s record to 6-15 overall and 1-12 in the TRC. The Buccs close out the regular season next Friday at Miami East.
SCORE BY QUARTERS:
Riverside – 7 – 17 – 19 – 17 = 60
Covington – 19 – 15 – 18 – 15 = 67
COVINGTON SCORING:
Bryson Hite – 27
Britton Miller – 20
Tanner Palsgrove – 9
Brogen Angle – 5
Gunner Kimmel – 4
Mic Barhorst – 2
RIVERSIDE SCORING:
Myles Platfoot – 21
Warren Shockey – 13
Ayden Clary – 8
Dominik Stotler – 7
Kaleb Schindelwolf – 6
Walker Whitaker – 2
Gavin Orsborne – 2
Jaxon Woods – 1
THREE-POINT SCORING:
Covington – Bryson Hite (3), Tanner Palsgrove (1), Brogen Angle (1)
Riverside – Myles Platfoot (4), Warren Shockey (2), Dominik Stotler (1)
