After a rough game against South Warren a couple of weeks ago, Daviess County sophomore Cole Burch showed up to the next practice an hour early and ever since then, Burch has been nearly averaging a double-double and the Panthers are winners of two of their last three.
Despite some late game hiccups, the Panthers held on to down the Raiders 56-53.
DC coach Neil Hayden said his team has been leading or tied in the fourth quarter of all but one game this season.
He said they just need to keep working.
“We need time but we’ve also had five practices and six games in a month,” he said. “We’re trying to get that rhythm and I told them after the game, this wasn’t the prettiest game to watch but for us, we just need to figure out how to win.”
DC led 22-20 heading to the third as it was tied up 39-39 going into the fourth quarter.
Despite a technical foul in the frame on the Panthers, they were able to ice the game at the free-throw line for their fourth win of the season.
Burch had 19 points and 8 rebounds to lead the Panthers, something he’s done since the loss to the Spartans.
Hayden said he expect big things from Burch.
“He’s been our most consistent guy and he’s got another step in him that he hasn’t hit yet,” he said. “There’s a bigger jump for him to come, I really believe that. He’s created all this himself. I’m pretty proud of him. Sophomore or not, he is a very reliable piece for us.”
With the win, Daviess County hopes they can ride some momentum into tomorrow’s game at Ohio County.
“We need basketball,” Hayden said. “I hope it turns into something positive where we can get some momentum going as we wind down the final three and a half weeks.”
Trinity’s Landon Huff led the Raiders with 16 points while Gavin Howard added 13 off the bench in the loss.
The Raiders play its second of three road games in a row today at Webster County.
DAVIESS COUNTY 56, TRINITY 53
THS (5-7) 10 10 19 14 — 53
DC (4-6) 11 11 17 17 — 56
THS: Denver Dickens 7, Landon Smith 8, Gavin Howard 13, Landon Huff 16, Nate Hernandez 2, Bailey Wright 7
DC: Cole Burch 19, Camron Johnson 10, Joe Humphreys 8, Jack Payne 7, Decker Renfrow 6, Bo Stratton 2, Max Dees 2, Isaiah Tomes 2
2021 basketball coverage is presented in part by Rhoads & Rhoads Attorneys at Law.
