Teays Valley Holds-Off Determined Liberty Union in MSL Boys Hoops Action

Article Presented By McDonald’s…

The Teays Valley Vikings opened their Mid State League Buckeye play with a 50-47 home victory over the Liberty Union Lions.

Teays Valley led by as many as eight points twice in the game at 24-16 and 29-21, but Liberty Union rallied each time. The Lions final lead of 47-45 late in the fourth quarter, was dashed by a Brody Fields three-pointer from the corner that gave the Vikings a 48-47 lead, which they held onto with two final free throws from Luke Burgett and a defensive stand to close the contest for their 50-47 win.

Liberty Union led 10-9 after the first quarter, Teays Valley held a 22-16 halftime advantage, but the score was even at 36-36 after three periods.

The (1-0/2-1) Vikings saw 33 of their 50 points coming from Brody Fields (20) and Kole Nungester (13), garnering both our “McDonald’s Players of the Game.” Five other Vikings got into the scoring column. Sam Miller had 5 points, 8 rebounds and 3 blocked shots, while Owen Hoffhines added 5 points, Cavin McDowell 3, Kaden Purson and Burgett with 2 each.

The (0-2/0-3) Lions had three players in double figures, led by Blake Shawver’s 15 points, 13 from Noah Shook and 11 from Landon Piccirillo. Cooper Manson contributed 3 points and 10 rebounds, while Slade McClaskey scored 2 points and grabbed 5 rebounds.

The game stats were almost even. Teays Valley shot 18/44 from the field, including 5/15 from the arc for 41%, while Liberty Union was 19/44, including 5/13 from the arc for 43%. The Vikings were 7/12 from the charity stripe while the Lions went 6/8. LU won the rebounding battle 23-20, but also had 10 turnovers to the Vikings 8.