Chillicothe, OH — Waverly fought valiantly in an exciting home matchup against Zane Trace but came up just short in a thrilling 53-50 contest. Despite the narrow defeat, the team showed tremendous heart and improved their record to 2-1 on the young season. The game featured multiple lead changes and spectacular individual performances that had fans on the edge of their seats throughout. The contest got off to a competitive start with both teams trading baskets early. Teagan Hurt quickly found his shooting rhythm, draining his first three-pointer to get Waverly on the board and following it up with a two-pointer to tie the game at 5-5. The lead continued to change hands throughout the first quarter, with Gunnar Myers and Kage Alexander contributing key baskets. Hurt dominated the opening frame with 9 points, helping keep Waverly within striking distance at 16-13. Waverly exploded offensively in the second quarter, with Hurt putting on an absolute clinic from beyond the arc. He knocked down four three-pointers in the quarter, including back-to-back triples that gave Waverly momentum. Kage Alexander and Sawyer Myers also contributed crucial baskets, while Gunnar Myers added a perfect three-point play. The outstanding team effort helped Waverly build a commanding 34-27 halftime lead, with Hurt adding 12 more points to his growing total. The fourth quarter proved to be a dramatic finish, though not the outcome Waverly hoped for. Alexander continued his strong play, extending the lead to 48-40, but Zane Trace responded with a devastating 13-0 run to seize control. Despite a late basket from Kai Keesee, Waverly couldn't quite complete the comeback. Hurt finished with an outstanding 21 points on exceptional 7-9 shooting, including a remarkable 6-7 from three-point range. Alexander provided excellent support with 16 points on efficient shooting, while Myers contributed 5 points. The team showed great character and skill, setting up nicely for future success this season.