ROCK SPRINGS - Travis Abbott's debut as Meigs varsity basketball coach got off to a great start, but Gallia Academy's defense spoiled any hopes of an inaugural win Saturday as the visiting Blue Devils limited the Marauders to 14 points over the final 20 minutes to claim a hard-fought 54-41 boys victory at Larry R. Morrison Gymnasium.

Trailing 27-18 four minutes into the second quarter, GAHS (1-1) went on an impressive 17-0 run that lasted more than seven minutes and provided a comfortable 35-27 advantage.

That surge, along with the Marauders connecting on just 5-of-16 field goal attempts in the final 16 minutes, allowed Gallia Academy to extend its lead at the free throw line and secure its first win of the 2005-06 season.

Afterward, GAHS coach Jim Osborne spoke about his team's unconventional defensive stand and how it translated to the final result.

“First off, we're not very good at trapping and pressing. We got back in the game last night (against Huntington Ross) by doing that, and tonight we needed to create some action,” he said. “We started doing it late in the first half and went to full court after halftime. We needed to get their offense out of whack and I think it turned the game around.”

The reason for the venerable coach's concern about Meigs' offense was because of the opening 87 seconds, as Brad Ramsburg sandwiched a basket in between two Eric VanMeter trifectas that gave the hosts a quick 8-0 edge.

The Blue and White finally cracked the scoreboard at the 5:05 mark when Brad Caudill converted an old-fashioned 3-point play to pull within five. Shawn Thompson repeated that feat 1:40 later and cut the lead to 8-6.

Ramsburg ended a 3:20 scoring drought at 3:13 with a baseline jumper, then canned another from the same spot at 1:32 to give MHS a 12-6 lead. The Devils closed the quarter out with a 5-0 run to close the gap to a single point.

Meigs again came out on fire in the second period, connecting on six of its first eight shots and established its comfortable 9-point lead with four minutes left until break.

With things clearly going in the hosts' favor, Osborne and the Devils made the switch to a three-quarter length pressure to try and change the momentum.

The extended trap confused Meigs into only three more shot opportunities, all misses, and allowed GAHS to piece together an 11-0 run the remainder of the way for a 29-27 intermission advantage.

The Marauders still managed a lofty 52 percent from the floor in the opening 16 minutes, connecting on 11-of-21 field goal attempts and 3-of-7 from behind the arc. MHS hit 2-of-3 free throw attempts, held an 11-10 edge in rebounding and recorded seven of its nine assists.

Conversely, Gallia Academy connected on 11-of-25 floor attempts for 44 percent, including a 2-of-9 effort from 3-point territory. GAHS also had five turnovers at the break, two less than its counterpart.

The Blue Devils continued their pressing ways to start the second half, going on a 6-0 run that ended when Jared Casey canned a jumper at 4:54.

That basket would serve as Meigs lone make out of flve chances in the quarter, and pulled the deficit to

35-29. MHS also committed six turnovers in the third, twice as many as the guests.

GAHS, which hit 6-of- 13 shots in the period, finished on a 7-4 run to take a 42-33 edge into the final eight minutes.

Eight of the Devils' 12 fourth quarter points came at the charity stripe, and Meigs got no closer than seven points (44-37) with five minutes remaining.

Abbott had no complaints about the overall team performance in the opener, but he was a little disheartened with the way the offensive discipline that had worked so well in the first half fell apart in the latter.

“The boys maintained their effort throughout the entire course of the game, but for us to be successful, we have got to play disciplined basketball on the offensive end for four quarters,” he commented. “We are not a team that can create on our own and we are not going to do that. If we do, this will be the result.”

Meigs shot just 31 percent in the second half, while GAHS ended with a 42 percent clip. Both teams finished the night 43 percent from the floor.

Gallia Academy claimed a 24-19 rebounding edge and made as many free throws (13) as the hosts attempted. The guests also committed nine turnovers in the triumph, five less than the Marauders.

Alex Kyger led the Devils with 16 points and two steals, while Shaphen Robinson followed with nine points and a team-high seven rebounds. Caudill and Jeff Golden both had eight points and Shawn Thompson added seven.

Eric VanMeter had an overall great game for Meigs, leading the team with 16 points, six caroms, six assists, a steal and a block.

Casey and Ramsburg followed with eight points apiece and Casey Richardson followed with five.

Gallia Academy makes its home debut Tuesday when Chesapeake comes to the French City. Game time is slated for 6 p.m.

Meigs opens Tri-Valley Conference Ohio Division play Friday when it travels to Belpre for a 6:30 p.m. tip-off.