TROY – Yes, the Covington Buccaneers lost to Troy Christian 45-37, but the overall effort and intensity was evident that this program is advancing to a higher level.
Troy Christian has been a solid team over the past few years as it has earned three straight league titles – two shared in 2021-22 and 2022-23 and one solo in 2023-24.
Last year Covington lost to the Eagles 87-54 and 59-45 and this game was a defensive battle from start to finish by both teams.
“I loved the defensive intensity tonight,” said Covington coach Logan Carey. “I think that’s going to have to be our identity this year.”
The tone was set early as neither team was able to put many points on the board. Troy Christian only led 6-3 after one period of play.
Both teams started knocking down shots in the second as a combined 32 points were scored – 16 by Covington and 16 by the Eagles. The teams went into the break with Troy Christian holding a slim 19-16 lead.
The Buccaneers outscored Troy Christian 12-10 in the third period to cut the deficit to 29-28 heading into the final frame. The key was a pair of treys by Reagan Tipps and Tanner Palsgrove, plus two buckets by Brogen Angle and another one by Tipps.
“Offensively we looked a lot better than last week (against Ansonia),” Carey said. “We played well enough to win. We were well balanced.”
Palsgrove connected on another trey in the fourth and Landin Cassel scored inside the paint, but the Buccaneers only scored six points down the stretch in the final frame.
Troy Christian was able to capture the win by scoring 13 points in the fourth.
“We have to be better from the (free throw) line, and at the end of the game there,” said Carey. “Unfortunately, some things didn’t go our way the last four minutes of the game, but we showed we can hang with a great program like Troy Christian.”
Covington only shot 50% from the free throw line, making 7 out of 14.
Despite the loss, the Buccaneers showed so much grit and determination on Friday and hopefully it carries on throughout the season.
“Our guys were hungry for that one,” Carey said. “They wanted to play more.”
Next up is a home contest against Mississinawa Valley tomorrow night.
“I think we are ready to go again tomorrow night and make a statement for our home fans,” said Carey.
Tomorrow night will be a memorable one as it also includes the 42nd induction of the Covington Athletic Hall of Fame.
| 1ST | 2ND | 3RD | 4TH | FINAL | |
| COVINGTON | 3 | 16 | 12 | 6 | 37 |
| TROY CHRSITIAN | 6 | 16 | 10 | 13 | 45 |
COVINGTON SCORING:
Tanner Palsgrove – 9
Brogen Angle – 9
Reagan Tipps – 7
Brant Angle – 5
Landin Cassel – 4
Kian French – 2
Tyler Jay – 1
TROY CHRISTIAN SCORING:
R. Taylor – 12
A. Stangel – 9
Z, Zemon – 9
M. Barnishin – 6
B. Hochwalt – 4
A. Taylor – 3
N. Fecher – 2
THREE-POINT SCORING:
COVINGTON: Tanner Palsgrove (3), Reagan Tipps (1)
TROY CHRISTIAN: R. Taylor (1), M. Barnishin (1), A, Stangel (1)
