Published: February 22, 2008 11:41 pm            

Blue Devils rough up Panthers

Elston-led Tipton improves to 18-2

TIPTON — The Tipton boys basketball team looks back on track following a pair of losses in the last three weeks.

Derek Elston scored 24 points and cleared 14 rebounds to lead the Class 2A No. 6-ranked Blue Devils past Western 59-39 Friday night in the teams’ annual regular-season finale.

The Blue Devils held the Panthers to 21 percent shooting from the field overall — and 12 percent in the first half.

“I think the one thing that we’ve been trying to get back to is 32 minutes of really solid defense,” Tipton coach Travis Daugherty said. “Western has enough weapons that I think people who know their team know how well you have to play to hold them to 39 points. With all the sets they have and the guys they have who can shoot it from the perimeter, we really had to lock in on defending [the 3-point line]. We did a good job of that.”

Tipton improved to 18-2 following its second straight win while Western dropped to 9-11.

The Blue Devils led all the way including 11-3 after the opening quarter, 23-10 at halftime and 43-20 after three quarters. The Panthers made just 1 of 10 shots in the first quarter and 2 of 14 shots in the second quarter to set the tone for their frigid performance.

“Defensively, to hold Tipton to 23 points, we’re pretty pleased with that number at halftime, but offensively we really struggled. We struggled from inside the arc, we struggled from outside the arc — just a dismal half for us offensively,” Western coach Andy Weaver said.

The Panthers struggled in the third quarter too, making just 3 of 13 shots.

“We didn’t shoot the ball with confidence. We maybe got a step or two out of our comfort zone,” Weaver said. “Give Tipton and coach Daugherty a lot of credit. They played more zone than we anticipated and we struggled with our zone offense. Obviously, to be successful against a quality team like that, you have to shoot the ball better.”

Elston, an Indiana University recruit, surely has a lot on his mind with the happenings in Bloomington — but the 6-foot-8 junior played free and loose against the Panthers. The All-Area player made 9 of 12 shots from the field, including 3 of 5 from 3-point range, and knocked down all three of his free throw attempts. In addition to dominating the glass, he had three blocks and two steals.

“It’s been a challenging couple weeks for D and [Friday], he proved again why he has received the accolades that he has,” Daugherty said. “He was just really efficient in what he did and he was really tough in the way that he played. He didn’t try to finesse, he just tried to create his opportunities and be bigger and stronger than the guys on him.”

Matt Hodges also gave the Blue Devils a spark. The 6-foot senior guard missed the last three games after suffering a serious knee injury against Northwestern. Fitted with a brace, he returned to the lineup Friday and hit a crowd-pleasing 3-pointer.

“Matt has worked so hard to get back into position to contribute. It just says so much about him as a kid and the commitment he has to our team and our program,” Daugherty said. “He provides something for us that nobody else on our team can. I think this game showed he kind of re-provided that spark. I think that can really benefit us next week.”

Marek Jass chipped in 10 points for the Blue Devils, who had 10 players crack the scoring column. The Blue Devils shot just 3 of 15 from the field in the opening quarter, but 16 of 27 the rest of the way to fuel the 20-point win. In addition, they made 16 of 18 free throw attempts.

Marc Slick led Western with 10 points.

“We have a week to get ready for a very good Twin Lakes team,” Weaver said, referring to the Panthers’ Class 3A Frankfort Sectional opponent. “This team has shown they are willing to come back and fight.”

        

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