Tiger Cubs are sectional champs

GHS earned the sectional title Wednesday after beating Covington in penalty kicks and then West Vigo in the title game. Justin Hartman pulled a hat trick in the game against West Vigo where the Tiger Cubs won 4-1. GHS now awaits the winner of the Speedway sectional. (Courtesy Photo)

CLINTON -- It's been a long journey full of ups and downs but the GHS boys' soccer team ended the sectional on a high note with the 4-1 victory over West Vigo on Wednesday earning the sectional title.

"I am really proud of the guys," GHS coach JD Sims. "The boys really wanted to win this sectional and that is what they did. Covington was great competition and honestly the game could have easily gone either way. The guys did not let that happen, not to mention Brody Watson really stepping it up and proving himself inside the goal."

Watson did his part at the keeper position but Justin Hartman handled business in the field.

"(Watson) clenched the victory stopping several goals in the penalty shootout and ultimately the one that led to the victory," Sims said. "Justin Hartman played a great game against West Vigo netting a hat trick. It is just a great group of guys who deserved to take home the victory."

The sectional win comes one night after a nail biter when GHS went into penalty kicks with Covington. Some teams may have experienced a layover but the Tiger Cubs were up to the challenge.

"The team did fine with back to back games. This team had a great group of seniors who worked all summer with the younger guys when they did not have a coach," Sims said. "Most of this team has been physically ready since day one. The extra hill runs this year didn't hurt either."

The early goal in the first half by Justin Hartman put GHS up early against West Vigo and when the Vikings scored to tie the game Jacob Kessler responded to make the score 2-1 at the half.

"The biggest difference in the team from the beginning of the year is individual skill and team unity," Sims said. "We found value in possession and passing and tried to stray away from the kick ball you commonly see with smaller schools. A lot of kids who were wet behind the ears really worked hard to improve as players."

The Tiger Cubs benefited from Hartman in the second half and also from the second-half shutout provided by Watson.

Sims said the Tiger Cubs have had a great sense of team unity and that all of the players, no matter what year, are focused on improving as one unit.

GHS will next play on Oct. 15 against the winner of the Speedway sectional championship game between Speedway and Covenant Christian Saturday.

"In order to keep with the team winning we will have to want it more than anything and give it all," Sims said. "Everybody has to leave it all on the pitch with nothing left to give when that eightieth minute hits."