Waverly Opens Post Season with 73-56 Win Over River Valley
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The Waverly Tigers earned a return trip to The Convo with a 73-56 victory over River Valley in the Boys Division IV District Quarter-Final Tuesday night.
Sophomore guard Kage Alexander paced the Waverly attack by lighting up the Downtown Arena scoreboard for 33-points. The All-District Second Teamer scored 18-points in the second period as the Tigers built a 42-33 lead over the Raiders at halftime.
About the photo: Waverly’s Landyn Russell works to the basket in the first half.
“We had a really good team start” said Alexander, “I think multiple guys got on the board early. So that was good. That opened up a lot for me. The main goal was to come in here and win, and we did that.”
Landyn Russell set the tone for the Tigers posting 9 of his 16-points in the opening frame. But he knows one of his roles is crashing the boards and looking down floor to the guards for the fast break. “One of the main keys we have for offense is trying to push it, we’re so fast” said Russel. “Every time I get the rebound, I just let it go.” Sawyer Myers added 8, Gunnar Myers 6, Kai Keesee 7 and Davion McBride 3.
Austin Richardson tallied 20-points for River Valley (9-14). The Raiders hadn’t won nine games in a single season since 2020-21. Other River Valley scorers included Branded Bennett with 12, Gage Hill 7, Landon Burns 6, Luke Flint 5, Logan Deal 4 and Ian Bragg 2.
Waverly will face New Lexington Sunday in the second of four District Semi-Final games being played at The Convo. The Panthers advanced after getting past Fairfield Union 49-45 Tuesday night. Sunday’s line up at Ohio University will feature top-seeded Circleville and Gallia Academy at 2pm followed by Waverly-New Lexington at 3:45pm. The winners will meet in the Final on March 5th. The lower bracket has 2ndseeded Unioto facing Logan Elm at 5:30pm. The Braves advanced with a 51-40 win over McClain Tuesday. The final D-IV matchup Sunday has Meigs taking on Washington. The Marauders took Westfall Tuesday 64-54.
