Tri-Valley boys ready for grind of DI tournament

DRESDEN, Ohio – Tri-Valley head basketball coach Todd Mcloughlin will be one of the first to tell you that there is a big difference between coaching in the DI tournament than the DII tournament.

The Scotties, bumping up from Division II to Division I this year, finished as the co-MVL champions and won 16 games, but they’ll be a 21 seed and have to go on the road to open tournament play. The Dawgs will be making the trip down to Logan to take on the 12th seeded Chieftains.

Coach Mcloughlin knows the DI tournament presents a lot of challenges.

“It’s very different. You have to understand that the guys you are playing against are physically much bigger, quicker, and typical they are used to playing against competition that has great athletes,” said Mcloughlin

The Chieftains started off the season winning their first 11 games, and finshed with only two defeats all season long. They were a very impressive 8-1 against fellow DI schools.

The Logan boys are also coach by a familiar face for Muskingum Valley League fans. Chris Rider, former Maysville head coach, is in charge of the Chieftain basketball program.

“I think all five guys on the floor are very talented and they can spread you out. They’ve got some size, a 6’7″ kid inside. Even their guards have decent length. They shoot it well enough and defend you so it’s not going to be an easy task,” said Mcloughlin.

Saturdays’ game will tip off at 7 p.m. from Logan High School. It will be broadcasted live on Z92 radio and stream online at whiznews.com.