Waverly Holds Off Devils in 57-54 Victory As Alexander Nets 27
Article presented by Kingston National Bank …
“When our backs are against the wall, I think that’s when our guys respond” said Teryn Jarrett after his Waverly Tigers outlasted Gallia Academy 57-54 Friday.
Much like their opener against Fisher Catholic in the Zane Trace Tip-Off Classic, Waverly’s defensive toughness in tight circumstances pulled Jarrett’s team through the fire.
The two teams exchanged leads, going on runs against the other. The Tigers trailed 15-9 after the first 8-minutes of play, then went on a 9-0 run to go ahead building a 5-point edge. The Blue Devils returned the favor and held a 29-27 lead at the break. Waverly fell behind by six in the second half, but managed to outscore Gallia Academy 15-7 down the stretch to notch the win for Jarrett, in his first season with the Tigers.
“Our maturity has really shown in these first two games and I hope we just continue to showcase and build on it” Jarrett told Litter Media RADIO following the game.
It didn’t hurt that Kage Alexander poured in a game-high 27-points along the way. “We can’t rave about that kid enough” Jarrett said of his sophomore guard. “He lives in the gym. He’s a 500 shot a week guy, even during the season. He just constantly grinds it out. He wants to be a great player.”
Trailing 51-49, Kai Keesee dipped a pass to Alexander who quickly drove down the left side of the lane for a leaner to tie the game at 51. Fouled on the play, he dropped in the free throw to put the Tigers ahead 52-51 with 2:18 remaining. The Devils answered when Alexander tagged Ethan Rose on a shot from beyond the arc. Rose hit three straight free throws for a 54-52 edge.
Sawyer Myers knotted the game at 54 muscling his way for a bunny shot with less than a minute left. At the other end of the floor, Myers gained position on a rebound to draw a Gallia foul. Waverly’s final three points came from the line for the win. It was the kind of gritty, scrappy effort that had Coach Jarrett smiling.
“That’s just one rebound in the stat column, but that is what gives us the ability to win the game because it creates that three-point game because we stole a possession there, we were able to hit another free throw and a stretch it to a three-point lead… It’s those little winning moments” said Jarrett. “And they call a time out and Sawyer gets a steal… It’s a test to our ability to stick together and be connected with one another.”
The Tigers (2-0) are back on the floor Saturday night at Zane Trace the back home Tuesday with Hillsboro. The Blue Devils (1-1) are off until Tuesday when they travel to Jackson.
CLICK THE IMAGE BELOW TO HEAR THE GAME ON DEMAND.
