MVHC: Basketball Players of the Game (Monday, March 2)
ZANESVILLE, OH – Already into the district round for boys basketball, and local area teams have been coming out of the gate on fire. The players and teams have kept our local radio stations busy, with plenty of games to cover, and plenty of athletes to recognize as our “MVHC” Players of the Game.
Going back to Tuesday on AM 1240, not only did Zanesville knock off Tri-Valley for a sectional title, but in doing so, picked up the first victory at the “Dawg House” in some thirteen seasons. Senior forward Jordan Cooley was key down the stretch with a pair late buckets, en route to an 8-point, 4-rebound performance in the win.
A few days later, and three local area teams got their tournament runs started. The gang from Z92 saw John Glenn breeze past Morgan in Division IV, in large part thanks to 23 points from senior guard CJ Dolan.
Meanwhile on AM 1240, the reigning Division IV champs defeated West Holmes for the third consecutive postseason, and with history awaiting him in the not too distant future, Gator Nichols scored 33 points in the blowout victory.
Across town on Highway 103, the season for Rosecrans came to a premature end at the hands of Strasburg-Franklin, but Brody Boothe still finished the season strong with 11 points, as he will lead a talented group back next year as a junior.
Two more games on Saturday involving Zanesville-area teams, starting with West Muskingum guard Noah Morrison on Highway 103, who torched Sandy Valley for 19 points in a big win in Division V.
Then on AM 1240, Zanesville battled right to the end, albeit in a loss to New Philadelphia in Division III. Maddox Mohler played a big part in the Blue Devils’ five-win improvement this year, as good a defensive player as one will find in Muskingum County.
It certainly wasn’t the easiest of seasons for Jeremy Duerr and New Lexington, but a win in the postseason, and a return to the “Convo” on the campus of Ohio University ended the year on a high note. Even in a defeat to Waverly, Eli Stephens poured in 19 points in another fantastic season for the junior.
Congratulations to all seven athletes.
