Errors are costly for Delphi girls
By Todd Swank

The Lady Oracles returned to the court and tried some of the new things that they learned during their long holiday break. The Oracles, under the direction of a new coach, have a new offense and, at last, a defense other than a zone that had been so ineffective since the season started. While there were improvements, the girls came up short, 45-23, against the Tipton Lady Devils.

Too many unforced errors and missed easy baskets sealed the game which began with Tipton going ahead 11- 0. Olivia George scored for Delphi with two minutes remaining in the opening period to finally light up the home side of the scoreboard. The first quarter ended with a 11-2 score.

Tipton scored first in the second before Delphi would close the gap to 13-7 on a basket by Hannah Strasser and a three pointer by Kayla Yates. Six turnovers in their next eight trips down the court eliminated what momentum the Oracles had built. Meanwhile the Devils were extending their lead back to double digits. The score stood at 19-7 at the half.

Yates opened the third by making one of two free throws to close within 11. That was as close as the Oracles would get. Tipton had streaks of five and four points around an Amanda Schultz bucket. The third period score stood at 28-10.

Delphi would score 13 in the final quarter with Haley Richardson scoring four, but that was not nearly enough.

Nearly half of the Lady Oracles' possessions ended in errors. They committed 27 while getting 34 shots off. This was the scenario at many 2006 games and one that needs to change in 2007 if the Lady Oracles want to get back to winning.

The Oracle JV squad defeated Tipton, 24-14.