English Valleys Play Spoiler on Tri-County Senior Night

THORNBURG—On January 30, the Tri-County Trojans hosted the English Valleys Bears for their Senior Night. The Bears played spoilers, and bested the Trojans by a final score of 60-35.

Before the game, the Trojans celebrated the careers of seniors Gaiger Mercer, Brighton Wear and Daniel Gillam. 

Tri-County Head Coach Dylan Springer shared the sentiment of what these seniors meant to him with, “They mean a lot to me because without them we wouldn’t have many players. Gaige (Mercer) and Brighton (Wear)didn't have much basketball experience. This was their first year coming out to play for the high school. They have improved so much, and I am so proud of the strides they’ve made. They also keep the team up, which I appreciate from them.”

English Valleys’ senior Myles Grove filled the stat sheet out once again for the Bears, as he finished his night with 12 points, five rebounds, six assists and three steals.

Grove spoke on the night with, “I’ve been on a groove as of late. I have been feeling good with my shot. I have been attacking the rim recently, so I know when I do that it opens up for everyone else. So, it’s just something you see the more you play.”

Grove went on to describe his emotions as a leader of this team as, “I love it man. Leadership, especially coming into this year, is a scary thing. You think man you have a lot of freshmen on the team, a lot of inexperience. You know teaching some guys some things, and leading by example. I don’t have to talk all the time. Shut up, and show them. I have loved learning how to do that. I’ve got coaches that advise me and help me, coach me on and off the court. I’m growing as a man, and in life, and it shows out here as a leader. I love it. I love these guys.”

Freshman Everett Bender led all scorers on the night with 17 points. Senior AJ Bruns tallied a double double that consisted of 16 points and 15 rebounds.

English Valleys Head Coach Keshaun Kennedy spoke on the victory, and the regular season sweep over Tri-County, with, “It’s pretty good. I know it definitely wasn’t easy. Just proud we got the win, and took care of business on the road.”

The English Valleys Bears push to 2-16 on the season with a conference record of 2-12.

They will return to action on February 1, when they host the North Mahaska Warhawks.

The Tri-County Trojans fall to 0-18. They return to action on February 5, when they visit the Moulton-Udell Eagles.