Teays Valley erased a two-point deficit with a 34-25 second half on Friday to garner a 55-49 MSL-Buckeye win over host Liberty Union.
“I thought our seniors did a nice job of controlling the game along with Brayden Primmer,” Teays Valley coach Brian Barnett said. “We struggled a little in the second quarter, but came out of the break with fire in our eyes.”
Jackson Smith led the charge with 13 of his 17 points in the second half. Peyton Weiler and Smith knocked down key free throws late to cement the win.
“Jackson played a great second half tonight, did a nice job of taking the ball to the basket and defending,” Barnett praised.
Weiler followed Smith with 14 points.
“Peyton did a great job of controlling the game,” Barnett said. “I was happy for Peyton, the game on the line and he knocked down 3 of 4 free throws.”
Barnett touted the defensive effort of Sam Miller in holding Jacob Denney to just four points. Denney was a driving force with 24 points in the Lions’ victory over the Vikings in the first round of league play.
Barnett also praised the defensive work of Primmer during the final quarter in helping the Vikings to a road win.
“Brayden provided a huge defensive lift off the bench in the fourth period,” he said. “His length causes a lot of problems and tonight he got his hands on a lot of passes turning them into baskets.
“Very happy for him, lately has not seen a whole lot of game time, but did not drop his head, instead continued to work hard in practice.”
The Vikings (9-12, 8-5) travel to Hamilton Township on Thursday to conclude the regular slate.