3 big games for the Unioto Basketball program this week in Scioto Valley Conference play. 

Thursday, Girls (5-1) home vs. Piketon (6-2) - All-Time Series, Unioto leads 63-23. 

The last game for the girls team before Christmas will have them hosting the Redstreaks of Piketon. Piketon is led by seniors Grace Lightle and Ally Crothers and both can really fill up the stat sheet. Coach Coreno's teams are always known for their great patience and defense, which appear to be consistent once again this winter. For the Shermans to move to 6-0 in the SVC, they will need Jocie Fisher (20.2 ppg) to continue to dominate the paint against the undersized Redstreaks. The Shermans depth was on display at Westfall on Saturday evening as 9 different players scored in the 70-48 victory. That depth will need to continue as the Tanks roll into the new year. 

Friday, Boys (3-3) away at Paint Valley (3-3) - All-Time Series, Unioto leads 83-40. 

A major road test for the young Tanks will occur outside of Bainbridge on Friday evening. The Bearcats are experienced and very athletic, led by juniors Bryce Newland and Cruz McFadden. Seniors Caden Grubb and Hunter Hamlin also bring talent and lots of big game experience. The Shermans will have to keep the long Bearcats off the offensive glass and finally knock down some open looks. Cameron DeBord had his breakout a week ago, look for brother Carson DeBord to do likewise this weekend. If the Tanks want to keep hope alive for a 6th straight SVC title, then every league game from here on out is a must win, starting with Friday. 

Saturday, Boys home vs. Adena (5-1) - All-Time Series, Unioto leads 63-50.

After a major test on Friday at Paint Valley, things will not get any easier when the Adena Warriors roll into Frenchtown on Saturday evening. Adena is currently unbeaten in league play and rolling with a 5 game winning streak. The Warriors have a nice blend of seniors and sophomores with a ton of length, athleticism, and basketball talent. The Tanks will have their hands full, but another good performance from senior Gabe McBee would go a long way in having the Shermans go into Christmas on a winning note. 

We need lots of energy from the crowd and student body this week to help push our squads to victory. The energy has been amazing so far and we are excited to see it continue for our ever improving team!

6 games in 5 days this week between the Boys and Girls program, including an all-day event at Westfall on Saturday. 

Tuesday - Girls @Adena (0-4). Unioto leads the all time series 50-43. Adena's time is coming for their program to make their resurgence, as they are young and talented. Look for Hannah Stark and Jayden Smith to be the go-to players for the Warriors. The Shermans will need to guard on the perimeter and get some consistent scoring from the guard position to stay undefeated. 

Wednesday - Boys vs. Nelsonville-York (3-0). First ever meeting. The Buckeyes come into the contest unbeaten and loaded with experience. 8 seniors help fill out the roster for NY and they are led in scoring and rebounding by Sr Ethan Bohyer (15.5 ppg, 8 rpg) and Sr PG Justin Perry (14.5 ppg). The Shermans will need to keep the Buckeyes off the glass and continue to make shots if they want to even up their overall record at 2-2. This game will be JV and Varsity only, with the JV game starting at 6. 

Thursday - Girls @ Vinton County (4-0). Unioto leads the all-time series 9-1. One of the marquee matches in the Southeast District this week. Vinton County went 21-3 last year and returns much of their roster and have several talented underclassmen making impacts as well. However, one of those 3 losses was a decisive one at Unioto 67-44, where the Vikings struggled from the outside and the Shermans dominated the glass and interior. Look for a tough, tight match up at the Valhalla, which should be more than worth the price of admission. 

Friday - Boys vs. Piketon (2-3). Unioto leads the all-time series 64-44, including winning the last 10 meetings. A vital standings game in the SVC will tip off in Frenchtown when the Shermans host the Redstreaks. Piketon will bring a frantic pace and fast, aggressive defense that will look to force turnovers into easy points. Sr PG Alex Blanton (18.8 ppg) has been outstanding thus far this season, while the 'Streaks are trying to find a consistent 2nd scorer, they do have 6 different players averaging over 4 points per game. 

Saturday - Girls/Boys @Westfall, (G, 1-3/B, 1-2). Unioto leads both all-time series, Girls 59-26 and Boys 54-42. The Boys have won the 16 matchups with the Mustangs. This will be an all-day event starting at 1 with the Freshman Boys game, followed by JV Boys, then JV Girls, Varsity Girls, and finishing with Varsity Boys. Westfall has athletes all over each program and will not be a pushover, especially at the Dome. 

Team Updates

Friday - Varsity L 69-50 to Zane Trace, JV W 40-21, Fr W 33-23
Saturday - Varsity W 63-50 at Huntington, JV W 32-28, Fr W 49-37

Girls - Varsity 3-0, JV 3-0 (45 straight wins)

The Shermans have a major task ahead of them in the opening weekend of SVC play, as they will host the Zane Trace Pioneers (1-1) on Friday and then travel to the Township to play the Huntington Huntsmen on Saturday evening. 

Zane Trace is coming off of a defensive masterpiece as they beat Chillicothe, 45-33. Junior Guard, Cam Evans was at an entirely other level for the Pioneers with 25 points and 6 rebounds. For the Shermans to maintain their 69 game SVC winning streak, they will have to contain him, as well as keeping Tritan Davidson and Nick Nesser off the glass. None of that will be easy, but even if they do, they still have to account for Luke Johnson on the outside. Things don't get easier on the offensive end, as Colby Swain headlines the perimeter defensive effort and Davidson is a complete game changer inside. 

It will take a big time effort on both ends for the Shermans and for the crowd to bring some extra energy to help them go over the top. Outside shooting needs to be on point after only shooting 3 for 16 from beyond the arc against Logan. The Shermans have won the last 9 meetings between the two schools, including a 57-44 decision in last season's regular season finale. Zane Trace is the last school to defeat Unioto in SVC play when they beat the Shermans 57-56 in overtime on a Saturday afternoon in 2013. Zane Trace also leads the all-time series, 59-50 over the Shermans. 

Things don't get easier on Saturday when they travel to Huntington Township to battle the Huntsmen. Huntington is led by senior Elijah McCloskey who is a do-it-all guard who will likely be a rare 4-time All SVC member for the Huntsmen. He can score inside or outside and can catch fire ala NBA Jam when he's on. The Huntsmen also carry a trio of seniors who can hurt you in a variety of ways, with DJ Kinzer, Nate Snyder, and Canaan Knoles. 

Games at Huntington tend to be very difficult for the Shermans and the Huntington students tend to be loud and very involved in the games, which could bring a very difficult atmosphere, especially for the young Shermans squad. Unioto has won the last 13 meetings between the schools, which puts their lead in the all-time series at 74 to 62. 

In last weekend's game at Logan, the Shermans struggled against the defensive speed and intensity of the experienced Chieftains in the first half and got into a big hole at the half. Once things settled at the intermission, the Shermans played much better, but the deficit was too much and they fell 66-47. Issac Little played well in his first game at Unioto, shooting 4 of 5 from the field and scoring 13 points. Cade McKee had 10 points, while Jeremy Lambert and Gunnar Greenwalt gave great energy off of the bench. Senior Gabe McBee had his toughest defensive matchup, but hit the boards well. 

Look for Chance Smith and Justin Manson to step things up this weekend, along with the DeBords and Josh Lambert, while Aiden Loeffler and Nate Keiser will need to continue to bring outstanding defensive energy as well. It will be a tough weekend, but it should be an excitng one as it is any time the ball goes up
 and the Unioto Shermans are in play. 


On the Girls side, Jocie Fisher continued her dominant start to her senior season with a career high 29 points in a 76-39 win over the Paint Valley Bearcats on Tuesday night. She was 11 for 12 from the field and is shooting a cool 85% thus far on the season. Don't miss your chance to watch the Shermans next week as they will be taking their show on the road on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. 

Tuesday, they travel to Adena to take on the Warriors (0-3). The Shermans lead the all-time series 50-43, including the last 10 meetings. Look for Juniors Amber Cottrill, Emily Coleman, and Hallie Pinkerton's defensive pressure making a major impact in this game against the young Warriors, but watch out for the Adena program in the near future after the past few seasons of being down compared to their great history.

On Thursday will be the game of the night in the Southeast District as the Shermans travel down US 50 to McArthur to battle with the Vinton County Vikings. The Shermans broke up the Vikings perfect record last season with a 67-44 drubbing last January, but it was a rare off-night for the Vikings from the outside and I can't imagine that they won't be ready for some revenge. They are perfect again to start this season, including a blowout of Chillicothe to start the year off. Unioto does lead the all-time series 9-1. 

I'll have a more detailed breakdown of next Saturday's game at Westfall sometime next week. 

If you can't make it out to the games this weekend, WKKJ will be covering Friday's game and the website will be updated that evening and the twitter account will have stats and scores from both night's games right after at @UHSShermanHoops. Let's Go Shermans! 

A big weekend is upcoming for Unioto Basketball, as the Girls host Huntington (2-0, 1-0) in a huge early season SVC matchup and the Boys travel to Logan (22-3 in 17-18) to kick off their season. 

Tonight (11/29) the Girls will host the Huntington Huntsmen in a battle between the 2 favorites in this season's SVC race. Huntington features a superstar and a budding star as well. Braiden Collins (35 ppg) is a senior spark plug who averaged 24 ppg as a junior and is off to an extremely fast start to her senior campaign. The Shermans were able to hold her to only 13 ppg in the 2 matchups last season. Another player to watch for the Huntsmen is Freshman Allison Basye (19 ppg). The versatile wing is going to be an extremely special player and will be a player to watch for the next 4 seasons. 

The Shermans started off SVC play with a 77-18 win over Zane Trace on Tuesday, behind 19 points and 6 rebounds from Jocie Fisher. Emily Coleman, Amber Cottrill, and Jerzi Paul caused a lot of havoc for the Pioneers with 4 steals a piece. Last season, Unioto won both games with Huntington (57-27 & 59-46) and will look to continue their run of success against the Huntsmen (4 straight wins) by using their depth and athletes to get out in front early. 

The JV game will only play 2 quarters, so get there early as the varsity game will likely start around 5:45. 

Tomorrow night (11/30), the Boys will travel to Hocking County and take on the Logan Chieftains. Both squads are coming off of very successful 17/18 seasons where both went 22-3. One major difference between the 2 schools is that Unioto graduated 4 starters (7 overall), while Logan only graduated 1 starter (1 overall). Logan's one graduate was an outstanding player and vital piece to their success, however they still return Bo Myers (6'5 Sr, Malone University commit) who torched the Shermans for 32 points in the season opener a year ago. 

It will be a new look for the Shermans, but not one without talent. Coach Hoops will have a lot of capable options and it will be interesting to see how they are mixed and matched against the Chieftains. 

Series - Unioto leads 4-2. 
Last Matchup - 2017, Logan won 71-56. 

Team Pages have been updated and the Girls Roster will be posted in the coming days. ​

Boys Season Preview - (22-3, 14-0 SVC, 69 Straight SVC Wins, District Champions)

Returning Letterwinners - 6 (1 Starter)

What to Watch For - Will the Shermans rebuild or reload? Gone are Logan Swackhammer (Flagler College), Brandon Kennedy (Concord University), Peyton Hill, and Gabe Fisher, 4 players who combined to score 3,000 points and start the majority of the Shermans wins over the past 3 seasons, but there still a lot of hard working talent returning. Every player will be in a new role for the 18-19 Season, but they are all looking forward to having a chance to win a 6th consecutive SVC Title. 

Top Returners 

• #32 Chance Smith (5'11 Sr G) - 4.6 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 19 3's (36%)
• #24 Cade McKee (6'2 Jr F) - 2.1 PPG, 1.6 RPG, 8 Charges Taken
• #23 Gabe McBee (6'2 Sr F) - 2.6 RPG

Girls Season Preview - (19-5, 13-1 SVC, SVC Champions)

Returning Letterwinners - 7 (4 Starters)

What to Watch For - After the Shermans snapped Southeastern's record SVC win streak in the final SVC contest of last season, the Shermans also will take over the target that the Panthers had on them for the past 3 seasons. The Shermans will need to replace 3 vital departed seniors, but have the talent and drive to win a 2nd straight SVC title and get back into the District Tournament since 14/15. 

Top Returners

• #21 Jocie Fisher (5'9 Sr F) - 13.7 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 68% FG
• #11 Emily Coleman (5'6 Jr G) - 7.1 PPG, 2.9 APG, 2.9 SPG
• #20 Amber Cottrill (5'7 Jr G) - 7.3 PPG, 3.5 APG, 2.7 SPG
• #22 Cree Stulley (5'10 Jr W) - 8.8 PPG, 6.6 RPG

​cumountainlions.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4502 -- Brandon Kennedy, Concord University
​cumountainlions.com/schedule.aspx?path=mbball&schedule=290 -- Concord Basketball Schedule

flaglerathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=3050&path=mbball -- Logan Swackhammer, Flagler College
flaglerathletics.com/schedule.aspx?path=mbball& -- Flagler Basketball Schedule

www.ohio.edu/chillicothe/studentlife/athletics/wbktball/index.cfm -- Carly Adkins, OU-Chillicothe

www.ohiodominicanpanthers.com/sports/wbkb/2018-19/bios/overly_alexis_zsmy -- Alexis Overly, Ohio Dominican University
www.ohiodominicanpanthers.com/sports/wbkb/2018-19/schedule -- Ohio Dominican Schedule

Following an electric Fall Athletic season for Unioto High School, the Boys and Girls Basketball teams will look to continue the excellence during the Winter months. Each team returns several key pieces and will attempt to build off of successful seasons a year ago. 

Boys Preview (19-6, 14-0 SVC, 55 Straight SVC Wins, District Runner Up)

Returning Letterwinners - 6 (4 starters)

What to Watch For - Yes, the Shermans have 4 starters back from a 4th consecutive SVC Championship team, but also lost 4 key contributors as well. The young guns will need to be ready early and often to push this team to the heights that they strive to reach. The Junior Varsity, Freshman, and 8th Grade teams all won their league championships and have a chance to have players make major impacts during the 2017-2018 season. 

Top Returners 
--- # 0 Logan Swackhammer (6'1 Sr G) - 12.2 PPG, 38% from 3, 4 APG, 2.5 SPG
--- # 11 Brandon Kennedy (6'1 Sr G) - 10.6 PPG, 42% from 3, 4.2 RPG, 113 Career Made 3's
--- # 33 Gabe Fisher (6'1 Sr P) - 6.3 PPG, 5.6 RPG
--- # 35 Peyton Hill (6'5 Sr P) - 12.9 PPG (58% FG), 7.8 RPG

Girls Preview (17-7, 11-3 SVC [2nd])

Returning Letterwinners - 7 (4 Starters)

What to Watch For - Youth was served last season for the Lady Shermans and they made a giant leap forward thanks to it. 3 Freshmen and a Sophomore were key parts to a 17 win season in 16-17 and they will look to build upon that. They will need to replace a 4 year starter in Caroline Thiel, but they may be able to do that in part to increase depth. The games against Southeastern should be outstanding once again!

Top Returners 
--- # 21 Jocie Fisher (5'10 Jr P) - 14.5 PPG (63% FG), 9.5 RPG
--- # 2 Carly Adkins (5'5 Sr G) - 4.8 PPG, 73% FT
--- # 3 Summer Sigman (5'8 Sr W) - 7.1 PPG, 4.3 RPG, Team High 21 Made 3's
--- # 11 Emily Coleman (5'5 So G) - 9.0 PPG, 3 APG, 2.3 SPG
--- # 20 Amber Cottrill (5'6 So G) - 5.5 PPG, 4.7 APG, 3.7 RPG, 2.4 SPG
​--- # 22 Cree Stulley (5'10 So W) - 6.6 PPG, 4.9 RPG

Unbelievable season for Unioto Basketball! 

The Varsity Boys clinched their 3rd Consecutive Gold Basketball, which had never been done before, and extended their record SVC Winning Streak to 55 Games at the Finish of the 2016-2017 Season. They finished the regular season at 17-5, after playing arguably their toughest non-conference schedule ever, which will only better prepare the Tanks for postseason play. They gained the 2 seed in the Southeastern Sectional. The roster includes Seniors, Clay Edler, Casey White, Ryan Taylor, Tre Ivey, and Gavin Ogan, Juniors, Logan Swackhammer, Dalton Poole, Brandon Kennedy, Nick Adkins, David Ater, Gabe Fisher, and Peyton Hill, and Sophomore, Chance Smith.

The Varsity Girls made a gigantic improvement this regular season, finishing 16-6 overall, with a 11-3 SVC record. The SVC record was good enough to finish 2nd and 2 of the 3 SVC losses came in Overtime, so they were very close to getting to the top of the league once again. The Lady Shermans won their first tournament game over a solid Waverly team and will now play for the Sectional Championship against 2 seeded Miami Trace. The roster includes Seniors, Caroline Thiel, Kaylee Hagen, Kaitlyn Ellison, Cindelynn Murta, and Morgan Popp. Juniors, Cadee Causey, Carly Adkins, and Summer Sigman. Sophomore, Jocie Fisher. Freshmen, Emily Coleman, Cree Stulley, and Amber Cottrill.

The Junior Varsity Girls finished the regular season 22-0 and 14-0 in the SVC. Coach Jimmy White and his outstanding group of athletic and talented ladies ran rough-shod on their opponents all year long with only 3 games being decided by less than 10 points and all of those being outside of league play. The future is extremely bright for the Lady Shermans!

The Junior Varsity Boys caught fire to finish their season, winning their final 7 SVC games to capture a share of the crown at 11-3 with Southeastern. Coach Kevin Roll's Tanks went through some difficulty around midseason after losing Freshman Cade McKee to injury for the season, but once they bounced back, they bounced back in a big. The peak of the season had to be when they came back from a 31-6 deficit to defeat Southeastern 56-50. They also got revenge on Westfall on Chance Smith fadeaway jumper with 3 seconds left and Zane Trace 33-30 to end the season. Another highlight for the Tanks was Vinz Palisbo knocking down a clutch 3 with 10 seconds remaining to defeat Fairfield Union 41-40. The Shermans finished the season 15-7 overall. The roster included, Freshmen Cade McKee, Nate Keiser, and Jamarcus Carroll, and Sophomores, Chance Smith, Justin Manson, Hayden Longcoy, Gabe McBee, Tristan Speakman, Vinz Palisbo, Chase Fout, Nehemiah Felts, Cole Hill, and Bryce Robinson.

The Freshman Boys team finished their season 12-6 overall and 9-1 in SVC play to capture a share of the SVC title with Zane Trace. The young Shermans had an outstanding finish to their season, winning 6 out of 7 games down the stretch. The roster included, Nate Keiser, Jamarcus Carroll, Dalton Ford, Connor Valentine, Ty Schobelock, KK Richter, Drake Helton, Jackson Williams, Lucas Crawford, Christian Drake, Levi Gerber, and Caleb Smith.  

Another great article written by the Gazette's Derrick Webb.
http://www.chillicothegazette.com/story/sports/local/beyond-the-scores/2016/01/19/switching-digits-hosley-honoring-cottrill/78967252/

​CHILLICOTHE - Cole Cottrill knew right away.

The Unioto senior do-it-all guard knew he suffered a major injury, knew his season was automatically in jeopardy and knew — most of all — his teammates needed No. 20 on the court in some shape or form.
On a two-on-one breakaway against Zane Trace last Friday at Unioto High School, Cottrill leaped to catch the back end of an alley-oop — sticking to his guns and attempting to maintain his above-the-rim style of play. But in mid-air, Cottrill was fouled on a bang-bang play.

As his slender, 6-foot-4 frame fell to the floor violently, Cottrill's instincts took over and he tried to catch himself. Instead of adding a clip to his already crowded highlight reel, Cottrill broke both of his wrists; sending a hush across the crowd and changing the makeup of the area basketball landscape instantly.

"The only thing I could really think about in that moment was my team," Cottrill said, now with a cast on each arm. "I knew I was going to be out for awhile. It kind of hurt, knowing that I left my teammates a man short. When I went up for the ball, I felt (the defender) hit me. I knew something bad was about to happen. When I hit the ground, I felt a little pop in my wrist."

Cottrill, filled to the brim with adrenaline, hopped up like nothing had happened. Unfortunately, that wasn't reality.

"I think (Cottrill) was in such shock, that he hopped up and wanted help right away," Unioto coach Matt Hoops said. "Instantly, the feeling in my stomach was an awful one. My heart just sank, just because I know how much time he's put into this, how much fun he has playing the game and how much he enjoys playing with his teammates."

After an initial hope that he would return to the floor at some point this year, Cottrill received word Monday one of his wrists requires surgery — effectively ending not only his season, but his four-year basketball career at Unioto.

"It was heartbreaking to hear the news," Cottrill said, through tears. "I really wanted to come back. They're going to put in a plate to fix where the degree of my wrist is. Your wrists are only supposed to be at a five-degree angle, mine is at 22."

For good measure, Cottrill's Shermans went on to beat the Pioneers that night by a final of 74-46 — the team's 35th consecutive Scioto Valley Conference victory and its 48th straight regular season win. However, the cost of the win delivered a deafening blow.

The team lost its mojo, its star player and most importantly, its momentum.

Enter Erique Hosley; Cottrill's best friend since preschool and the Shermans' go-to name when a leader is needed.

"Erique and I have been best friends for as long as I can remember," Cottrill said. "He's always been by my side. Me and him, we go everywhere together."

In a basketball sense, Hosley and Cottrill have made memories together since the fourth grade — the year in which Hoops asked them both to be the Shermans' ball boys.

The very night after Cottrill's injury, Hosley made sure No. 20 was still with his brothers on the court. The Shermans, paying a visit to Huntington, beat the Huntsmen 68-47 and No. 20 led the way with 16 points and 14 rebounds.

No. 20's name — this time — was Erique Hosley.

"I felt nothing but pride wearing that number," Hosley said with a smile. "We were sitting down, watching a movie the night before and Cole had suggested it. He was just throwing the idea out there, almost kidding around. I thought to myself, 'you know, I'm really going to do it.' I knew it was a great way to represent him and honor him. I wanted him to still be there on the court with us when we accomplish all the goals we've set out to accomplish."

Hosley, after gaining Cottrill's permission, made a switch from his usual No. 5 to No. 20. It turns out, the two friends weren't the only ones thinking over the switch.

"The crazy thing was that they hadn't talked to me," Hoops said. "I didn't get much sleep Friday night, at all. I think I went to bed at 1 and woke up at 4. As I was sitting in my living room, thinking of all of the things that had happened and praying for the different outcomes we could possibly have, I just really felt for Cole. You see it in college all of the time; someone wearing someone else's number to honor them. I thought what a great idea that would be to honor Cole."

The next morning, Hoops put his 'original' plan into action.

"We had a shootaround the next morning and a team meeting," he said. "We had finished shooting and I walked over to Erique and said 'what would you think about wearing number 20 tonight'. He said 'I've already thought about that.' He made the switch, we were the only three that knew about it, and I think he honored Cole the way he'd want to be honored."

And so you have it.

However, this is just the beginning of the story. The end is still being formulated.

The Shermans, recently recognized by the Associated Press as the No. 3 team in all of Division II, now have yet another reason to play — their injured teammate.

"I think we can still make it just as far as we could if I were able to play," Cottrill said. "I mean, the next person on our bench is just as good. They'll do what they need to do to win. Our guys will continue to play our roles."

Hoops agreed.

"We constantly preach 'team' and 'next man up,'" Hoops said. "We'll continue to do that. It's worked so far. Our team has rallied around this. We feel like this will bring us even closer together as a team than we already are."

For Cottrill, individually, he plans to stay with his team, support them and continue to be grateful for those who have been closest to him — before continuing his basketball career at a collegiate level.

"The last four years at Unioto, as a Sherman, has been a great four years," Cottrill said. "I've been a part of something great. Nothing compares to it. We've still got a job to do and the ride doesn't stop here."
While the finishing touches are being painted on Unioto's 2015-16 canvas, No. 20 will not only be on the Shermans' bench in person, but on the back of Hosley's game jersey and in the minds of every Shermans' roster member.

In or out, Cottrill will still have his fingerprints on every contest.

"It's not about me, it's about my team. I just want what's best for the team. Hoops has been with me since the fourth grade. I've grown up with him. He's always been like a second dad to me," Cottrill said, with a single tear running down his cheek. "Erique and I are so close and Bubba (Isaac Wheeler) and Sawyer (Lovely), I love them; just as much as anyone. I'll be right here with them."

​dwebb@chillicothegazette.com
Twitter: @dw1509

CHILLICOTHE - On the surface, Unioto's 33-game winning streak inside Scioto Valley Conference play is highly noteworthy.

But when you dig a little deeper, the streak becomes even more impressive.

Unioto's last conference loss was a 57-56 overtime loss to Zane Trace on December 7, 2013. For good measure, the Tanks are 46-3 overall since that loss, falling to just Washington Court House, Minford and Walnut Ridge.

The loss to Washington Court House is significant because it was the Tanks' last regular season loss. Minford and Walnut Ridge came in tournament play. Since the loss to the Blue Lions, Unioto has won 44 consecutive regular season games.

Taking a deeper dive into the win streak, the numbers are just as astounding.
For instance, before its 75-66 win over Westfall — the victory that broke the previous SVC streak of 32 consecutive wins held by Southeastern's 2001-2003 teams — Unioto had an 20.4-point average margin of victory in its previous 32 conference wins. Within their first five SVC games of this season, the Tanks (9-0, 6-0 SVC) had an average margin of victory of 35.8 points.

Then, there's the small deal of milestones hit during the streak.

Unioto's Nick Corcoran won two straight SVC Player of the Year awards — sharing the award with Zane Trace's Pierce Mowery in 2014-15 — and also surpassed the 1,000 career points mark as well. Shermans' head coach Matt Hoops joined Corcoran on the milestone list by winning his 100th career game as a head coach in a 79-53 win over Westfall on Jan. 3, 2015.
With a 67-55 win over Warren on March 13, 2015, Unioto was crowned district champion for the second time in school history, for the first time since 1992 and for the first time ever within Division II.
Other accomplishments during the streak include five players moving on to participate athletically at the next level. Kyle Strange and Nick Overly are at Otterbein playing basketball while Alek Adkins is at Ohio University-Chillicothe. Two other former players earned scholarships for soccer and track.
Overall, over the span of the past 44 contests, Unioto is averaging 71.8 points per outing — by far the most in the area. The current sophomore class still hasn't lost a regular season game (34-1, 20-0) and the current junior class is 53-5 overall with a 32-1 conference record.

The scary part is, there's no signs of the Tanks stopping.
After this year's four seniors — Cole Cottrill, Erique Hosley, Sawyer Lovely and Isaac Wheeler — graduate, the next wave of seniors are more than capable of carrying the torch. If Hoops has his way, the area could see the first ever 40 or even 50-game win streak inside conference action.
Looking at the future, if Unioto continues to roll this season and goes into the postseason undefeated, the streak would have reached 41 inside the SVC and 57 in the regular season — breaking a record as well.

While Hoops and his clan of trailblazers are constantly focused on one game at a time, it's hard not to look at the writing on the wall. The expectations are there, the talent is there and the coaching staff is there. Now the deed just needs to be done.
The sky is the limit for the Shermans and while nobody knows when the streak will reach its halt, one thing is for sure: whatever the outcome, Unioto's basketball program will be fun to watch for a long while. Enjoy watching history.
dwebb@chillicothegazette.com