Anna Rockets Edge Tri-Village in Thrilling Regional Semifinal

BUTLER, OH – In a dramatic finish at Butler High School, the Anna Rockets secured a 47-46 victory over the Tri-Village Patriots in the Division VI regional semifinals on Tuesday night. The tightly contested matchup kept fans on the edge of their seats, culminating in a clutch game-winning shot by Anna’s Evan Myers with just seven seconds remaining.

Senior Power Forward Alex Shappie at the free throw line. (Photo by Carson Shoffner)

Anna found themselves trailing in the final minutes, but a determined defensive effort and key offensive plays allowed them to chip away at Tri-Village’s lead. The Patriots, led by standout scorer Trey Sagester, controlled much of the second half, using their physical play and perimeter shooting to stay ahead. However, the Rockets remained composed and continued to execute their game plan.

With the clock winding down, Anna had one final chance to take the lead. Myers, a senior guard, took control of the moment. After receiving an inbounds pass, he navigated around a screen, squared up from the right wing, and released a mid-range jumper that found the bottom of the net. The crowd erupted as Anna took a one-point lead with only seconds remaining.

Tri-Village quickly pushed the ball up the court for one final attempt to reclaim the lead. Sagester, who had been a dominant force throughout the game, attempted a contested shot in the lane. However, Anna’s defense held strong, forcing a tough attempt that fell short as time expired.

“It was a great defensive possession by our guys,” said Anna head coach Nate Barhorst. “We knew they were going to look for their best shooter, and we just had to stay disciplined. Credit to our players for stepping up in the big moment.”

Anna’s victory marks their tenth consecutive win, an impressive turnaround after a slow start to the season. The Rockets began the year with a 6-10 record but have since found their rhythm, now standing at 16-10 overall.

“Our team has really grown over the last couple of months,” Myers said after the game. “We never lost faith in each other, and now we’re seeing the results of all the hard work we’ve put in.”

With the win, Anna advances to the regional finals, where they will face Marion Local on Saturday at Wright State University’s Nutter Center. Marion Local secured their spot with a dominant 64-29 win over Cincinnati Miami Valley Christian Academy in the other semifinal matchup.

The upcoming showdown presents another challenge for the Rockets, as Marion Local has been one of the top teams in the division all season. However, with momentum on their side and a newfound confidence, Anna will look to continue their remarkable postseason run.

The energy inside Fairborn High School was electric, with both Anna and Tri-Village fans showing strong support for their teams. “It was an amazing atmosphere,” said Rockets forward Jacob Feroze. “Our fans gave us so much energy, and it really felt like a playoff game from start to finish.”

Tri-Village, despite the heartbreaking loss, displayed resilience and talent throughout the contest. The Patriots finish their season with an impressive record and will look to build upon their success in the future.

For those who missed the action, game highlights and post-game interviews are available online. Anna fans are hopeful their team can carry this momentum into the regional finals and earn a trip to the state tournament.