Oracle men record first victory
By Brad Brummett

The Oracles won their first victory of the season at the hands (paws) of the Clinton Prairie Gophers there Friday night. Michael Myers opened the first period scoring all of Delphi’s 9 points. The Gophers answered with a basket from sophomore C. Barnett and his class mate D. Rusk added 8 points for a one point advantage, 10-9.

The second period opened with turnovers by both teams. CP’s B. Garriott hit a trey, only to be answered by Delphi’s Myers. Dustin Oliver scored after an Oracle steal and Delphi took the lead 14-13. Myers hit another 3 pointer and was matched by Garriott’s trey to make it a 17-16 Oracle game. Myers made 2 free throws to end scoring as a tip in by Andrew Cebulla was made after time expired.

The Gophers scored 5 unanswered points to take the lead 21- 19. The Oracles offense opened up some lanes as Matt Lewis passed to Kory Banes on a drive to the basket for 2. A Rusk tip in gave the Gophers the lead. Oliver scored one behind the line for 3 to put the Oracles on top 24-23. Clinton Prairie hit 2 baskets before Banes hit a jumper to bring Delphi within one. Banes grabbed a rebound and added a basket on the offensive end. Kyle Stonebraker scored and was fouled. His missed free throw was brought down by the Gophers for a miss. Delphi missed a bunny shot to end the third period up 30-27.

Myers scored a long 2 to extend the lead by 5 for the Oracles early in the fourth. Garriott was fouled by an Oracle and he made one of 2 free throws. Kyle Bender got free under the basket and made his only points of the night. Bender was a little under the weather tonight and all the time he was on the court he was guarded tight by M. Lucas. The Gophers scored after a steal to close the game to 34-30. The last score of the night came by way of a free throw by Clinton Prairie’s Lucas, hitting one of 2. Delphi kept the lead and survived a last minute freezing at the foul line for the 34-31 win.

The Gophers won the JV game 32-25. The Oracles came back after being down 10-3 in the first period to close the game to 13-9 at half. The spread was still only 4, 17-13, ending the third. The Gophers hit a few more free throws to open the lead that carried them to the victory.

Vs. Tri County

Saturday night the Oracles traveled to Tri County, but victory eluded them on this night. Final score was 43-26, Tri County.

The Oracle varsity started where they left off Friday night with good ball movement and

crisp passes. Banes drove the lane for the first basket and an assist from Myers to Bender for 2 gave Delphi a 4-0 lead. Cavalier Smith kept them in the game, scoring 6 points in the first quarter. Delphi’s Oliver added a trey and Cebulla added a rebound/put back for a 9-6 lead. The fouls were called close as Myers was benched after getting his second personal in the first.

Taulman opened the second with a basket and a foul shot to tie the score at 9 apiece. The

Cavaliers went on a 6-point shooting spree before Banes hit a jumper for 2. TC scored and Bender answered with a 2 under the basket. Taulman hit 2 free throws to end the half 19- 13, advantage Cavaliers. Banes hit a three pointer and Bender and Myers each added baskets to keep Delphi in this one, 25-20, after three periods.

The Cavaliers added pressure in the fourth and Delphi made plenty of turnovers, helping Tri County to remain undefeated this season. The Oracles were outscored 18 to 6 in the final period.

It appeared the Oracle JV might have a chance to win. A slow tempo helped the game Friday night and the JV played a slow tempo Saturday. Half time score was 6-6, while the third period ended tied at 8. Eight Oracle fouls in the fourth and Cavalier free throws were too much as the JV fell short 18-13.

The Oracles now have a twoweek lay off before returning to the court.