MERCERVILLE, Ohio —Saturday was a good day, and night, to be a Rebel.
That’s because South Gallia’s hot streak is officially at 10, and after Saturday, the Rebels can stake their claim to first-place in the Tri-Valley Conference Hocking Division.
On Saturday night, in a TVC-Hocking Division boys basketball makeup matchup from Friday, Jan. 22, the Rebels rolled the visiting Southern Tornadoes 67-47 for their 10 consecutive victory.
That win, which improved the Rebels’ record to 10-2 in the TVC-Hocking and part of 14-2 overall, pushed South Gallia into a half-game lead in the division.
Combine that with Waterford’s 64-61 win over Trimble in Saturday’s makeup matinee, and the Rebels lead both the 9-2 (TVC-Hocking) Wildcats and Tomcats for the league lead.
Southern’s loss left the Tornadoes at 3-14 overall, and 3-9 in the TVC-Hocking.
South Gallia got another excellent outing from Joseph Ehman, who poured in a game-high 23 points, including nine total field goals — four of which were three-pointers.
In the Rebels’ 73-63 division win over Miller on Friday night, Ehman amassed 24 markers.
Against Southern, South Gallia led 16-7 after the first quarter, 28-18 at halftime and 45-31 following three periods.
Ehman had all but seven of his points in the second half, as Landon Hutchinson — on six field goals — and Dominick Johnson — on five field goals and 2-of-3 free throws — each added 12.
Corey Rhodes — on four field goals — chipped in eight points, while Kane Hutchinson had two field goals and 3-of-4 free throws for seven.
Darren Drenner, with an old-fashioned three-point play in the opening quarter, and Caleb Henry — with a fourth-quarter field goal — rounded out the Red and Gold scoring.
Tylar Blevins — with three deuces, three treys and 2-of-2 free throws — paced the Tornadoes with 17 points.
Clayton Wood — with two three-pointers — scored six, while Trey Pickens and Dylan Smith each scored five.
Jaylen Blanks — on a pair of second-half field goals — boasted four points while Pickens, Weston Thorla and Jonah Hoback hit a three-point goal apiece.
Crenson Rogers recorded a field goal and Brayden Cunningham had two free throws for Southern.
The Tornadoes host Trimble in another TVC-Hocking tilt tonight (Tuesday), while South Gallia goes for its 11th straight win with a non-league date at South Point.
Paul Boggs can be reached at 740-446-2342, ext. 2106
