Coming out of COVID-19 quarantine on Friday with nearly all of his normal rotation still unavailable, Teays Valley coach Brian Barnett knew his team faced an uphill battle having to hit the road and face a hot-shooting Liberty Union team.
The Vikings turned in a strong first half, leading 38-30, despite having just two players available with significant varsity experience, but the Lions controlled the second half to claim a 76-56 Mid-State League Buckeye Division win.
“I’m absolutely proud of this group of guys and what they did tonight,” Barnett said. “I know that the scoreboard says we lost, but what we gained out of this experience with these kids is invaluable.
“The toughness and grit they showed against a very athletic team in Liberty Union; I am very pleased. Proud to say that during the week of practice leading up to the game, during the game and after the game. Not one person in our locker room said that we were so undermanned. Our kids played their hearts out tonight.”
Liberty Union (8-5, 5-2) used a 22-8 third quarter to take a 52-46 lead and then expanded that advantage in the final stanza.
Garrett Meddock poured in 18 points and Reese Sauerbrun added 15 to lead a very young Vikings squad that was otherwise comprised of mostly freshmen and sophomores.
“Those two young men put the team on their backs and told the other guys to follow us,” Barnett lauded. “Garrett was unstoppable tonight. He was able to get to the basket at will and his jump shot was solid. He showed his senior leadership tonight.
“Reese brought unbelievable toughness and leadership. He is the guy that is going to do the tough dirty work in order to get the job done. All night he was giving up between 2 and 4 inches and battled. Plus his offensive production was fabulous. There is a reason it was good tonight and that is because he spends a ton of time after practice shooting and shooting and shooting. It paid off tonight.”
Kevin Scott joined them in double-digits with 10 points.
“This week in practice we talked to Kevin about a few things we would like to see him do,” Barnett said. “It was like a light kicked on. Very pleased with him tonight. Freshman Sam Miller (five points) did a great job tonight. Just a few days ago he was playing in a freshman game. Please with his minutes, and his defensive effort. He battled all night on the boards. We had several other players that contributed tonight, as well.”
Jacob Miller was one of four Lions to reach double-figures with 18 points, and Ty Boggs and Jacob Denney added 14 apiece.
The Vikings (3-6, 3-3) continue league play on Tuesday when they host Circleville.
Teays Valley – 15 – 23 – 8 – 10 = 56
Liberty Union – 14 – 16 – 22 – 24 = 76
Teays Valley
Grant Sherman – 0 – 1- 0 = 1
Brodi Boardman – 1 – 1 – 0 = 3
Garrett Meddock – 5 – 6 – 2 = 18
Reese Sauerbrun – 4 – 4 – 3 = 15
Kevin Scott – 4 – 0 – 2 = 10
Brayden Primmer – 2 – 0 – 0 = 4
Sam Miller – 2 – 1 – 0 = 5
Totals: 18 – 13 – 7 = 56
Liberty Union
J Brown – 2 – 1 – 0 = 5
T Boggs – 4 – 6 – 0 = 14
R Blowers – 1 – 0 – 1 = 3
J Denny – 6 – 2 – 0 = 14
J Berlekamp – 4 – 1 – 2 = 11
C Warner – 1 – 0 – 1 = 3
J Miller – 7 – 3 – 1 = 18
K Riddle – 2 – 3 – 0 = 7
S Wolfer – 0 – 1 – 0 = 1
Totals: 27 – 17 – 4 = 76