Trey Martin made a layup underneath the basket. On Athens’ next possession he made a 3-pointer.
The senior, just off an injury, got more minutes than he has played so far this season.
The Bulldogs were without a starter in junior Robert Dickelman, who was sick.
While Martin didn’t start, he and others who filled in for Dickelman pushed the Bulldogs toward a 57-31 win over Wellston Friday night.
“Obviously he sat a ton this year,” coach Mickey Cozart said of Martin. “He got in there, he played hard and he played smart.”
In the first half, it was obvious that the Bulldogs were missing Dickelman and his inside presence. Athens only led by six points at the half and were not playing with the same physicality in the paint it normally plays with.
“He’s our enforcer,” Cozart said. “He’s a guy whose high energy, and we definitely missed him tonight.”
All night, though, Athens was able to get steals, and get the advantage on the fast break. The team had 17 total steals.
At the half, Cozart made an adjustment, putting Treyce Albin on the court to start the half. Albin was put in for defensive reasoning’s, and it showed.
“He did a great job of sparking us in the second half,” Cozart said.
This win allows the Bulldogs to keep pace with Vinton County in the Tri-Valley Conference Ohio division.
“Win them all,” Cozart said.
Athens has a quick turnaround, as they play Bishop Watterson on Saturday night. A big win on Friday night gave them the opportunity to rest their starters some, and prepare to play a team that beat them 76-44 last season.
