THE BUCCS STRUGGLE IN FINAL LOSS

Brogen Angle scores two of his team-high 9 points by splitting two Eagle defenders to the basket. ©Ben Robinson/Color Green Photo

TROY – Covington had two close losses to Troy Christian earlier in the season, but the Eagles’ effort and intensity led to a huge loss for the Buccaneers, 44-25.

This was a game that ended Covington’s season with a disappointing 6-17 overall record and no wins in 15 games against league opponents from the TRC.

It was apparent in the opening few minutes of the game that Troy Christian had more intensity and energy on the floor than the Buccaneers as the Eagles jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead. The tone carried on throughout the rest of the game as the Eagles led 14-4 after one and 20-11 at the break – then outscored the Buccs 24-14 throughout the second half.

The final score could have been worse, but the Eagles ate up much of the clock in the final period by spreading out the offense and passing the ball around several times before taking wide open shots.

The three things that hurt Covington mostly throughout the game were several missed scoring opportunities with wide open looks, so many missed rebounds at both ends of the floor, and Troy Christian out sprinting the Buccs down the floor several times after rebounds or turnovers.

Senior Brogen Angle led the Buccaneers with nine points, which was impressive due to his hard effort to overcome being double teamed nearly every time the ball was in his hands. Despite being doubled up by the Eagles’ defense, he made several nice passes to give his teammates opportunities to score with wide open looks. Unfortunately, more times than not the ball didn’t drop into the hoop in those situations.

The final loss of the season ends the high school careers for six of the nine players on the Buccs’ varsity roster – seniors Brogen Angle, Tanner Palsgrove, Reagan Tipps, Kian French, Tyler Jay and Ashton Skaggs.

There are talented athletes capable of returning next season, but the future success will be determined by the amount of time they put in for athletic and basketball training throughout the off-season and if they put in the mentality of buying into the system implemented by the coaching staff.

Tanner Palsgrove scores between two Eagle defenders. ©Ben Robinson/Color Green Photo
1ST2ND3RD4THFINAL
COVINGTON477725
TROY CHRISTIAN146121244

COVINGTON SCORING:
Brogen Angle – 9
Tanner Palsgrove – 5
Brant Angle – 4
Reagan Tipps – 3
Tyler Jay – 2
Landin Cassel – 2

THREE-POINT SCORING:
Brogen Angle (1), Reagan Tipps (1)

Tyler Jay maneuvers around a Troy Christian defender for an attempted layup. ©Ben Robinson/Color Green Photo
Reagan Tipps puts up a three-point shot. ©Ben Robinson/Color Green Photo