Teays Valley Wins 2022-23 MSL Buckeye Girls Basketball Title Outright

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Having just claimed a share of the Mid State League with a 40-29 victory over Liberty Union, the Teays Valley Girls were clinging to each other awaiting the result of the Bloom-Carroll/Fairfield Union game which had only seconds remaining.

It was an instant cliffhanger as the Bulldogs had a chance to tie their game with three ticks left in regulation. Upon hearing the final shot had rimmed out, the Vikings erupted with delight knowing the title was theirs … theirs, alone.

Teays Valley suffered losses in two of their last three MSL games after knocking off Bloom-Carroll January 16^th. Bowing three days later to Fairfield Union to Circleville last weekend set up the potential for a Viking-Bulldogs shared crown. However, Trevor Younkin’s team needed to take care of the immediate business at hand Friday night… defeat an upset-minded Liberty Union.

The Lions got on the board first for their only lead of the game. Alyssa Horsley followed it up with a three from the top of the key. It was the first of three in the period for Teays Valley who finished the first period with a 14-6 margin. Liberty Union didn’t rollover. The Lions applied pressure defensively and made the most of their opportunities while limiting the Vikings to just one point for most of the quarter. Bowling Green-bound Abby Riddle pulled Liberty Union to within 15-14 and that’s the closest the game would be. Teays Valley took a 18-14 lead into the intermission.

“Their defense was very impressive” said Younkin. “Last time, we played each other, it was a 65-51. So, totally different story this time. It was about who’s gonna sit down and play the best defense.”

Teays Valley suffered losses in two of their last three MSL games after knocking off Bloom-Carroll January 16^th. Bowing three days later to Fairfield Union to Circleville last weekend set up the potential for a Viking-Bulldogs shared crown. However, Trevor Younkin’s team needed to take care of the immediate business at hand Friday night… defeat an upset-minded Liberty Union.

The Lions got on the board first for their only lead of the game. Alyssa Horsley (pictured) followed it up with a three from the top of the key. It was the first of three in the period for Teays Valley who finished the first period with a 14-6 margin. Liberty Union didn’t rollover. The Lions applied pressure defensively and made the most of their opportunities while limiting the Vikings to just one point for most of the quarter. Bowling Green-bound Abby Riddle pulled Liberty Union to within 15-14 and that’s the closest the game would be. Teays Valley took a 18-14 lead into the intermission.

“Their defense was very impressive” said Younkin. “Last time, we played each other, it was a 65-51. So, totally different story this time. It was about who’s gonna sit down and play the best defense.”“Their defense was very impressive” said Younkin. “Last time, we played each other, it was a 65-51. So, totally different story this time. It was about who’s gonna sit down and play the best defense.”

In the second half, both teams were patient on offense, which made for a low scoring, quick game. TV led 27-19 through three periods and earned the 11-point victory.

Then, the grueling wait for the outcome of the game just east of Lancaster at Fairfield Union.

“Oh… the nerves” said Kennedy Younkin, talking about the wait. “I was just over there shaking my leg the whole time . I was like, banging on my teammates… it was just one of those feelings like, you don’t know what to do.” Horsley noted the relief of standing atop the league all alone. “Knowing we had a share of it, I think it was like the cherry on top knowing that we got the whole thing. We worked hard for it and the hard work paid off.”

Horsley led the Vikings in scoring with 13 points and Younkin tallied 8. Kayla Cline, Abby Tier and Gabrielle Watkins each pitched in with 6-points apiece and Addi Helwagen added a free throw. Liberty Union was paced by Riddle’s 13, followed by Delaney Peck’s 8. Brooklyn Angelo, Morgan Love and Ella Brown combined for the remaining 8-points.

The Vikings improved to 15-7 and closed out the MSL at 11-3. The Lions are 12-9 overall and finish the regular season with Licking Valley this Wednesday. Their first round tourney game is in Baltimore with West Jefferson on February 14^th. Teays Valley will host Hilliard Bradley on February 15^th, with the winner facing Chillicothe on the 18^th.