Alliance, OH- The Alliance Aviators embarked upon Marlington High School with their sights set on the Eastern Buckeye Conference crown. To win it outright, they would need some help from Minerva, but for that games outcome to even be a factor, the Aviators had to go into hostile territory and take care of their own business. The Dukes, playing at a high level in their own right, set out to play spoiler.
It certainly wasn't going to be easy, and that task grew in the opening minutes of the game as the Aviators quickly found themselves in foul trouble. Starting Center Sam Hays picked up two quick fouls, forcing Head Coach Chet Harper's hand to go to the bench and summon Kaivon Thomas. After Thomas picked up two fouls as well, Harper called on Junior Taije Nicholson.
Nicholson answered the call, coming in and scoring 8 in the quarter, including two triples. The lengthy forward wasn't done, staying on his heater through a 2nd quarter that saw him score 11, with three more from beyond the arc. His 19 points led all scorers at the break as the Aviators held a 51-30 lead.
The advantage would grow in the 3rd, as Junior Guard JR Jackson deposited 11 in the quarter, including a contested buzzer beating triple. With a 67-40 lead heading to the games final frame, both teams emptied their benches pretty early in the penultimate quarter.
The victory moves the Aviators to 12-7, while the loss drops the Dukes to 12-8. Meanwhile, Carrollton avenged their earlier season defeat to the hands of the Minerva Lions with a 66-59 victory. Both Carrollton and Alliance finish conference play 8-2, splitting the Conference crown.
Comments