Separated by just 11 miles on state Route 33, the Nelsonville-York Buckeyes and Athens Bulldogs are familiar rivals.
For many years, though, the high schools’ athletic teams played in different conferences, the Buckeyes in the Tri-Valley Conference and the Bulldogs in the Southeastern Ohio Athletic League. The two teams still shared the inter-conference rivalry, but now that the Bulldogs are members of the TVC, more than just bragging rights are on the line.
Nelsonville-York coach Jay Kline called point guard Casey Cox’s game-tying, buzzer-beating 3-pointer in the teams’ first meeting Jan. 6 “the biggest shot we’ve had in a long time.” The Buckeyes won 61-54 after guard Austin North’s 10 overtime points gave them the advantage in the extra period.
Athens is one game behind league-leading Vinton County in the TVC-Ohio standings, while Nelsonville-York is two back. A loss for either team would end its title hopes, as only two conference games remain.
“It’s definitely a big game, with a league title on the line,” Athens guard Josh Skinner said. “If we lose, we’re definitely done. But if we win, we’re down one game, and Vinton (County) still has to go to Wellston and play Nelsonville.”
Athens led throughout the first game but saw that lead diminish in the second half. The Bulldogs’ late turnovers and the Buckeyes’ high-intensity defense allowed the visitors to claw back.
“We kind of fell apart in the third quarter, and they ran up and down. We didn’t keep the tempo, and they made a great shot at the buzzer. That was kind of the difference,” Skinner said.
“Really, we just have to come out and play good (Friday) … We’re definitely a lot better at handling pressure now, we’ve been practicing at it. We’re just going to try and keep it simple, not try anything too special.”
nc606411@ohiou.edu
Up Next:
Athens at Nelsonville-York
7:30 p.m. Friday
Nelsonville-York High School
— The Buckeyes beat the Bulldogs, 61-54 Jan. 6.
— Casey Cox (NY) and Ryan Luehrman (Athens) each had 22 points in that game.
— Friday is Senior Night for the Buckeyes’ six senior players.
