Lady Blue Devils split with Carmel Clay

Often times, free throws are overlooked in the game of basketball. However, in the case of Tipton's 8th Grade girls basketball team, they paid huge dividends as the Lady Blue Devils defeated the Carmel Clay Trojans 34-33 in exciting fashion Tuesday evening.

Even though Tipton started the game on a strong note, Clay's sharpshooting helped them to take a 10-9 lead at the end of the first quarter. Despite being down early, Tipton battled back to take a 16-15 advantage as the end of the half neared. Unfortunately, the Trojans hit a jumper at the buzzer to give them the one point lead heading into the locker room.

After the break, the battle continued as the teams matched each other shot for shot with Tipton gaining a 25-24 advantage at the end of the third quarter. In the fourth quarter, both teams defenses were at the best as every shot was strongly contested. But, Carmel would ultimately take the lead over the Lady Blue Devils at 33-32 with less than 30 seconds left to play.

Luckily, Tipton's Taylor Degenkolb was fouled and sent to the free throw line for a an opportunity to give the eighth graders the lead. Degenkolb hit both ends of the one and one which capped a 7-10 free throw shooting quarter for the Blue Devils along with giving them the lead with 18 seconds remaining.

Clay would get one shot at the basket but could not convert as the Tipton defense rose to the occassion to improve their record to 4-0 on the season. "Our defense in the last 18 seconds was the best that we have played all year," said Tipton Coach Don Etherington. "Our performance says a great deal about the heart on this team. They did not quit and willed themselves to win."

Leading Tipton in scoring was Brooklyn Juday who scored in double figures for the first time this year with 10 points. Also scoring for the Lady Blue Devils was Whitney Shaffer adding 8, Degenkolb with 7, Lindsay Friend contributing 5, and Aubree Elston chipping in 4.

Unfortunately, the Tipton B team did not fair as well as they fell to the Trojans. Tipton's offense was only able to yield two points in the first quarter but the Lady Devil defense was able to keep the Trojans at bay as the first quarter ended at 5-2.

From that point on, Carmel took the advantage as their shots began to fall giving them a 13-5 lead at halftime. Despite a spirited effort from the Lady Blue Devils in the second half, they would be unable to catch Clay with the final score ending at 27-10.

Leading the B team in scoring was Krista Schulenburg who turned in a spirited 4 point performance. Also scoring for Tipton was Hayley Lineberry with 3, Jade McCormack contributing 2, and Amy Doversberger with a free throw.

Tipton's next game will come after the holiday break when they entertain Madison Grant on January 7, 2008, at the middle school gym.