Tusky Valley girls win IVC Showcase main event

BERLIN (WJER) (February 7, 2022) – In the matchup of the two top teams in the IVC Girls Basketball Showcase Saturday at Hiland High School, Tusky Valley defeated Strasburg 46-28.

Tusky Valley improves to 18-3 after going 12-1 in the Southern Division to split the division title with Hiland.

Tusky Valley Coach Matt Ward says the Trojans have had some special moments this season, including breaking Hiland’s 100-game IVC win streak in December and topping Strasburg after the Tigers had gone 12-0 in the Northern Division.

“It was a huge win when we knocked off Hiland at home,” Ward said. “Strasburg obviously was a big win for us as well. We had a big win out in Loudonville that was on the road in a tough environment. With only two seniors on this team, these guys have really done a nice job this year.”

The two seniors are Brook Stookey and Ashley Merrick. Merrick led Tusky Valley with 16 points against Strasburg.

“They just set the tone for us, really on both ends of the floor,” Ward said. “We have a cast of juniors, sophomores and freshmen that all play, and they definitely follow their lead.”

Tusky Valley closes out the regular season against New Philadelphia Monday in a matchup of two of the best teams in the area.

The Trojans start tournament play Feb. 17 with a home rematch against Cambridge. West Muskingum and top-seed Union Local are also in their bracket.

“Our district is pretty good,” Ward said. “We got the four seed and I’ve had a lot of people that say, ‘How did you get the four seed with your record?’ It’s got some pretty good teams in it.”

In other IVC showcase games from Saturday, Claymont beat Malvern 55-42, Tuscarawas Central Catholic beat Garaway 25-21 and Hiland beat Fairless 53-30.

Three other IVC showcase games were rescheduled. Today, Indian Valley plays Newcomerstown and Buckeye Trail plays Sandy Valley. East Canton plays Ridgewood Wednesday.

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