RACINE, Ohio —The Southern boys basketball team took the lead two and a half minutes into Tuesday night’s game at Charles W. Hayman Gymnasium and never looked back. The Tornadoes handed Alexander it’s sixth straight loss, 65-51.

Southern (14-3) outscored the Spartans (4-14) 13-11 in the first period of play and kept the momentum going into the second going on a 22-15 run. The Tornadoes took the 35-26 lead into the half.

After the half the Tornadoes slowed the pace down and held AHS to eight points in the period. SHS scored 13 in the third and took the 48-34 lead into the finale.

The teams played evenly in the final stanza each scoring 17 points and allowing Southern to take its third consecutive victory and its 14th of the season, 65-51.

Southern’s scoring was led by Andrew Roseberry with 17 points and eight eight rebounds, followed by Ryan Taylor with 11 points including three three-point field goals. Nathan Roberts was also in double figures with 10 points, while Ethan Martin finished with eight points, and Chandler Drummer had seven points. Tristen Wolfe and Adam Pape each finished with five points and Marcus Hill, who took three charges in the victory, scored two points for SHS.

AHS had a pair of players in double figures, led by Braden Jones with 14 points, and Zach Whefler with 10 points.

The Tornadoes remain in the hunt for a share of the Tri-Valley Conference Hocking Division title, but they need a little help. Southern needs to win the rest of their games and have Waterford defeat Belpre Friday night. With the win SHS proves again they can hang with the big boys improving to 3-0 against the TVC Ohio this season.

The Spartans fall to 1-3 against TVC Hocking opponents and fall to 0-3 in games played in Meigs County this season.

Southern returns to action Friday night in Charles W. Hayman Gymnasium against “in county” and TVC Hocking rival Eastern as they look for revenge for their December 20th 63-55 loss at the hands of the Eagles. Tip off is scheduled for 6 p.m. The Tornadoes travel to face TVC Hocking foe Miller Saturday at 6 p.m.

Southern 65, Alexander 51

A 11-15-8-17 — 51

S 13-22-13-17 — 65

ALEXANDER (4-14): Chris Wingett 4 0-0 9, Jake Grey 3 0-0 9, Zach Weffler 5 0-0 10, Jared Jeffers 0 2-2 2, Will Cravens 0 0-0 0, Dustin Mullins 0 0-0 0, Tanner Carsey 0 2-2 2, Jordan Mosley 2 0-2 5, Braden Jones 5 7-4 14, Tim Smith 0 0-0 0. TOTALS: 19 8-13 51. Three-point goals: 5 (Grey 3, Wingett, Mosley).

SOUTHERN (14-3): Tristen Wolfe 1 3-4 5, Ethan Martin 3 4-2 8, Andrew Roseberry 7 2-3 17, Andrew Ginther 0 0-0 0, Ryan Taylor 3 2-2 11, Trenton Deem 0 0-0 0, Nathan Roberts 4 2-2 10, Adam Pape 2 0-0 5, Dustin Custer 0 0-0 0, Marcus Hill 1 0-2 2, Casey Pickens 0 0-0 0, Chandler Drummer 3 1-4 7. TOTALS: 24 12-21 65. Three-point goals: 5 (Taylor 3, Roseberry, Pape). Field goals: 24-54 (.444).