By ISAAC DEER
TopSports.news
Rossville boys basketball extended its losing streak to six games after falling to Twin Valley Conference member Valley Heights, 56-53.
Both Valley Heights and Rossville had a lot on the line heading into Thursday night’s contest, bith both schools in search for a big win.
Rossville, which entered the game winning one out of its first seven games, got off to a cold shooting start in the first half, scoring nine points in the first quarter and nine in the second quarter as Valley Heights took a 21-18 halftime advantage.
Rossville, huddling up around coach Eammon Bradley during a time out Thursday night, dropped a 56-53 nail-biter to Valley Heights' boys at Rossville. [Photo by Isaac Deer/TSN]
Fortuantely for Rossville, their opponent had struggles shooting from the field as well. An eight-point quarter from the Mustangs kept the game in reach for the Dawgs.
Thursday night’s game, in the end, was determined by free throws and a jump ball that ended in the favor of Valley Heights.
With the game in grasp for Rossville only being down by a three-point bucket with 1:23 to go, Rossville’s Franceso Patrizi hit a clutch bucket to tie the game up at 53-53.
The Mustangs were looking to get on top and hush the roaring Rossville faithful.
On a fastbreak, Valley Heights heaved a ball down to the painted area to freshman Logan Gray. Gray, in no contention, missed the layup with 22.9 left in the game. Trayton Claycamp charged under the basket, secured the rebound, and proceeded to get fouled. Claycamp would then hit both of his free throws.
Rossville came down the court hard, found the open Brock Bush in the deep three corner, and he barely missed it with 11.2 second to go. The Dawgs had to foul trailing 55-53. Unfortuantely for Rossville, they fouled one of Valley Heights best free throw shooter’s, Claycamp.
Claycamp hit the loudest shot of the night from the charity stripe to give the Mustanges the lead. All the Dawgs would need is a three-point shot.
In crunch time teams want their best shooter with the ball to determine the game. Rossville’s shooter is Kade Perine.
Perine took the ball with 2.5 seconds left to go, charged down the court, shot the ball from the halfcourt Dawg logo, and missed the bucket.
Heartbreak in Rossville left the fans, players, and coaches feeling empty. Valley Heights would win the tightly contested game, 56-53.
Rossville’s team shooting on the night was cold, but two players stood out on the night. That would be Aiden Garcia and Patrizi. Garcia led the Bulldawgs with 17 points and Patrizi was not far behind him with 14 points of his own.
Rossville will host St. Marys on Friday night.
VALLEY HEIGHTS BOYS 56, ROSSViLLE 53
Rossville 9 9 13 22 – 53
Valley Heights 13 8 16 19 – 56
Rossville (1-7) – Garcia 6 3-5 17, Patrizi 6 1-4 14, Bush 3 3-4 10, Perine 3 1-2 7, Horak 2 0-0 5.
Valley Heights (2-7) – L’Ecuyer 9 2-3, 20, Claycamp 3 3-4, 11, Parker 5 0-2, 10, Ekstrum 4 1-2, 9, Gray 3 0-1, 6.
3 Point Goals – Rossville 5, Valley Heights 2. Fouls – Rossville 19, Valley Heights 20.
