NEW ALBANY, Ohio -- The New Albany Eagles used a high-powered offensive attack to improve to 6-2 on the year after a 63-60 win over Teays Valley (5-6) on Tuesday night. 

New Albany hit two early threes which forced Teays Valley to call a timeout with 2:28 left in the first quarter. They kept the offense flowing and ended the first with a 23-16 lead. 

Every time New Albany had a lead, Teays Valley kept finding ways to claw back into the game and never let the Eagles put the game away. Teays Valley did a great job not getting rattled and withstood every New Albany run. 

Careless turnovers and poor interior defense plagued New Albany in the second quarter as they allowed Teays Valley to climb back into the game. Sam Millers’ eight second-quarter points helped Teays Valley to cut the deficit. Josh Evans had 14 for the Eagles as they led 34-33 at the end of the half. 

The third quarter had both teams trading buckets until an 8-0 run by the Eagles forced Teays Valley to call a timeout with a minute left in the third quarter. New Albany finished the 3rd on a 13-2 run to build a 52-43 lead heading into the final period of action. 

The 4th quarter was similar to the third and New Albany led 60-57 with 1:35 left in the game. Josh Evans went to the line to shoot two free throws with a 61-60 Eagle lead. 

Evans made both and New Albany led by three with seven seconds left in the game. Teays Valley missed a three to tie at the buzzer and New Albany squeaked out a 63-60 win.

Josh Evans (2022 / Small Foward / New Albany): Evans was the top scorer on the night as he poured in 22 points. The 6-foot-5 senior is known as a slasher but showed his range as he hit back-to-back threes in the first half. Evans is at his best when he is driving to the rim and can finish on both sides. He seems to have a nose for the ball and grabs every rebound. The wing was active on the offensive glass and pulled down five offensive rebounds which led to six putback points. His high motor extends to the defensive end where he uses his quickness and long reach to cause havoc. Evans showed his bounce as he skied for a transition slam to close the third quarter. He has to continue to do this for the Eagles to be successful moving forward.

Braylen Nash (2024 / Shooting Guard / New Albany): The most impressive thing about Nash’s game is his ability to score in many different ways. Only a sophomore, the 6-foot-3 guard is quick off the bounce and uses his physicality to finish at the rim. He is great at driving left and finishing with his off-hand. His first six points were layups which forced the defense to back off of him a bit. Nash took advantage of this and drained three triples in the second half. He hustles every time down the floor and dives for loose balls. On one occasion, Nash dove for a loose ball at half court and was still the first man to the glass for a rebound. His natural size and speed allow him to be competitive on defense and keep his defender in front of him. Nash has now scored double figures in four games this year.

Peyton Weiler (2022 / Hybrid Guard / Teays Valley): Weiler did almost everything for his team tonight and found the perfect balance of scoring and facilitating. He dropped in 12 points and found most of his success inside the paint. Weiler has a variety of ways to finish at the rim and can use both hands. He has a nice dribble and uses it effectively to get past his defender. He ran his offense well and found open teammates with ease. Weiler is a solid defender and rebounder which his team needed tonight. He is a great leader for his team and will look to continue this moving forward.

Brayden Primmer (2023 / Hybrid Big / Teays Valley): Primmer was a great compliment to Weiler as he also had 12 points in the game. He did all of his damage down low and at the foul line. The 6-foot-5 junior was great at rolling off screens and getting good position down low. He drew a lot of fouls and hit four free throws in the game. Primmer grabbed almost every defensive rebound and played some good interior defense. He contested shots well without fouling and even blocked two.