Host Athens trailed 9-7 after one period in the Charles McAfee gym in Athens Saturday night, but after that, outscored visiting Gallipolis 49-22 the remaining three periods to hand the Blue Devils their first hardwood loss of the season, 56-31. Both teams are now 2-1 on the year.
Athens rebounded from at 70-44 loss at Jackson Tuesday evening to defeat GAHS at Athens for the first time in eight years.
John Troester led the Blue Devils with 10 points. Ethan Moore added six. GAHS played without the services of its leading scorer, Nick Mitchell, who was suspended for the contest according to reports.
For Athens, Frank Valentour was top gun with 16 points. Cori Butcher added 12 markers.
Gallipolis sank 12 of 41 field goal attempts for 29.2 percent. The Devils were nine of 26 from two-point range for 28.8 percent and three of 15 behind the arc for 20 percent. GAHS was four of seven at the foul line for 57.1 percent. Gallia had 21 personals, 20 rebounds, six by Troester. Gallia Academy had 12 turnovers.
Gallipolis had 10 assists, two each by Troester and Calvart, five steals, two by Cornwell. Elberfeld, Wilson and Troester took charges. GAHS had eight deflections.
Athens sank 16 of 31 field goal attempts for 51.6 percent. The Bulldogs were four of 11 behind the arc for 36.3 percent. Athens had 32 rebounds, eight by Valentour. AHS had eight turnovers.
Gallipolis will be on the road twice this week with a Southeastern Ohio League game at Marietta Friday and a non-league game at Meigs on Saturday. The Marietta battle will be a triple-header. Athens played Wellstin on Tuesday and will play another TVC game at Alexander Friday.
In Saturday’s first game, Gallia Academy’s freshmen defeated Athens 39-30 for their third victory against one loss. Athens dropped to 0-3 on the year.
Gallipolis led 3-1, 17-9 and 29-17 at the quartermarks.
Jimmy Clagg led GAHS with 22 points. Nick Clagg added seven, Justin Bailey four, Caleb Campbell three, Jeremy Wilson two and Cody Call one point. For Athens, S. Schwartzel tossed in 25 points.
In the preliminary contest, Athens Bullpups rallied from a 20-19 halftime deficit to hand the GAHS Blue Imps their first loss of the year, 47-34. Athens outscored GAHS 28-14 during the final two periods.
Gallipolis dropped to 2-1 on the year. Athens remained unbeaten at 3-0.
For Gallipolis, Joe Jenkins was top gun with eight points. Tyler Eastman followed with seven points. Joel Johnston and Cody Billings scored four apiece. Caleb Craft, Tyler Campbell and Casey Lawrence all had three markers and Nick Saunders two.
Josh Skinner led Athens with 15 points. Ian Dixon added nine, Mitch Rider seven and Nick Stanley five.
Varsity box score:
GALLIPOLIS (31) –Corey Eberhard, 0-0-0-0; Jordan Cornwell, 0-0-0-0; Ethan Moore, 0-(2)-0-0-6; Nate Allison, 0-0-0-0; Chuck Calvart, 1-1-1-3; Tyler Eastman, 0-0-0-0; Austin Wilson, 1-0-0-0-2; Jared Golden, 2-0-0-4; Bryce Amos, 0-(1)-3-5-6; Cody Billings, 0-0-0-0; John Troester, 5-0-1-10; Joe Jenkins, 0-0-0-0; Nate Gordon, 0-0-0-0. TOTALS 9-(2)-4-7-31.
ATHENS (56) – Jimmy Herpy, 0-0-2-0 Cori Butcher, 4-(1)-1-3-12; Ben McAdoo, 1-0-0-2; Frank Valentour, 5-6-9-16; Johnny Young, 0-2-2-2; Colin Pfaff, 1-(1)-3-4-8; Trey Harris, 0-0-0-0; Dean Maffin, 1-(2)-0-0-8; Joey Stanley, 0-8-8-8; Ian Frampton, 0-0-0-0;Vinnie Rider, 0-0-0-0. TOTALS 12-(4)-20-28-56.
Freshman game:
Gallipolis…..3 14 12 10 -- 39
Athens……..1 8 8 13 – 30
Reserve game:
Gallipolis….4 16 7 7 -- 34
Athens…….7 12 15 13 -- 47
Varsity game:
Gallipolis…….9 6 7 9 -- 31
Athens……….7 17 17 15 -- 56
Sounds like a sweet win for Athens.