COVINGTON – The Buccaneers hosted long-time rival Miami East on Friday and played hard despite a 60-44 loss to the Vikings.

The Buccaneers started off strong and took an early 6-2 lead on a pair of buckets by Tanner Palsgrove and another by Landin Cassel. This momentum carried throughout the rest of the first period as the Buccaneers held a 12-10 lead after one.

Miami East changed things in the second period by opening up a full court press on Covington. The Buccaneers were able to take advantage of it by pushing the ball quickly down the floor for some layups, but the defensive pressure implemented by Miami East ultimately turned the momentum as the Vikings were able to outscore the Buccs 21-8 throughout the second period to take a 32-20 lead at the break.

The Buccaneers battled their way back in the third period and eventually closed the gap to 37-31 midway through the frame. Tanner Palsgrove and Brant Angle both connected on two treys in the run, but Miami East was able to respond by taking a 45-35 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

To close out the game, Miami East outscored the Buccaneers 15-9 in the fourth quarter.

Scoring wise, three players combined to score 40 of the 44 points put on the board for the Buccaneers. Tanner Palsgrove led the way with 18 points, while Landin Cassel scored 12 points and Brant Angle had 10 points.

The loss drops Covington’s record to 2-8 overall and 0-6 in the TRC. The Buccs travel to Fairlawn tomorrow night.

	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	FINAL
COVINGTON	12	8	15	9	44
MIAMI EAST	11	21	13	15	60

COVINGTON SCORING:
Tanner Palsgrove – 18
Landin Cassel – 12
Brant Angle – 10
Kian French – 3
Parker Hoying – 1

MIAMI EAST SCORING:
Kaden Francis – 19
Luke Fulton – 11
Ty Rohrer – 10
Kamden Wolfe – 8
Brody Antonides – 5
Adam Lawson – 4
Owen Haak – 2
Chase Posey – 1

THREE-POINT SCORING:
Covington: Tanner Palsgrove (2), Brant Angle (2)
Miami East: Kaden Francis (3), Brody Antonides (1)