THE PLAINS, Ohio — Its not how you start, its how you finish. River Valley led 15-12 after the first period but over the final 24 minutes of Friday night’s sectional title game the Nelsonville York boys basketball team outscored the Raiders 39-17 en route to their 51-32 victory at Charles McAfee Gymnasium on the campus of Athens High School.

The Raiders (5-17) came out with intensity shooting 7-of-11 (64 percent) from the field in the first period leading 15-9 near the end of the first period. However, the Buckeyes’ (13-8) Marc Carter hit a three-pointer as time expired to cut the RVHS lead to three and give Nelsonville York the momentum going forward.

The NYHS defense came out in the second quarter holding the Raiders to two points on 1-11 (nine percent) shooting. The Buckeyes used the momentum given to them from the end of the first period to score 15 points in the second and take the 27-17 halftime lead.

Over the first five minutes of the second half Nelsonville York went on a 6-2 run forcing RVHS to use a timeout. The Buckeyes finished the quarter on a 7-6 run to take a 40-25 lead into the finale.

River Valley struggled to get its offense going in the finale stanza going scoreless over the first 5:30. The Buckeyes scored 11 and cruised to the 51-32 victory.

River Valley was led in scoring by Austin Lewis with seven points, followed by Trey Noble with six. Kyle Bays and Derek Flint each scored four, Joseph Loyd scored three, while Austin Whobrey, Chris Clemente, Aaron Harrison, and Ethan Dovenbarger all finished with two points.

NYHS was led by Daniel Kline with 17 points, followed by Kyle Moore with 10, and Marc Carter eight points.

This was the final game for Raider seniors Derek Flint, Trey Noble, Aaron Harrison, and Aaron Rupe. River Valley finishes the season sixth in the Ohio Valley Conference and 5-17 overall.

Nelsonville York 51, River Valley 32

RV 15-2-8-7 — 32

NY 12-15-13-11 — 51

RIVER VALLEY (5-17): Austin Whobrey 1 0-0 2, Derek Flint 2 0-0 4, Kyle Bays 2 0-0 4, Chris Clemente 1 0-0 2, Trey Noble 3 0-0 6, Aaron Harrison 1 0-0 2, Joseph Loyd 1 0-0 3, Austin Lewis 3 1-3 7, Ethan Dovenbarger 1 0-0 2, Aaron Rupe 0 0-0 0. TOTALS 15 1-3 32. Three-point goals: 1 (Loyd). Field goals: 15-41 (.366). Rebounds: 21. Turnovers: 24.

NELSONVILLE YORK (13-8): Jacob Blake 3 0-0 6, Austin North 0 1-2 1, Casey Cox 0 1-2 1, Josh Fayett 0 0-0 0, Daniel Kline 8 1-6 17, Taylor Davis 2 0-0 4, Marc Carter 3 0-0 8, Clint Handa 0 0-0 0, Cody Walker 0 0-0 0, Kyle Moore 4 2-2 10, Isaiah Mello 0 0-0 0, Ryan Duffy 0 0-0 0, Kyle Freer 2 0-0 4. TOTALS: 22 5-12 51. Three-point goals: 2 (Carter). Rebounds: 25. Turnovers: 15.