Turnovers costly for Oracles
By Brad Brummett

Sticky defense Oracle Cory Banes looks to pass through tight Red Devil defense Friday night as teammate A.J. Beckett looks on. West Lafayette won the conference match-up, 59-47. Bill Stauffer photo

The Delphi Oracles came up short in weekend games against West Lafayette and Maconaquah.

Friday night against conference foe, West Lafayette, too many turnovers cost the Oracles this conference game. Delphi totaled 18 turnovers to 4 for West Lafayette. Seven of the turnovers came in the third period, five in consecutive plays, allowing the Red Devils to take a 19-9 point run in this period. Up to that point it was a see-saw game, with four lead changes in the first period.

Delphi kept "Bubba" Day, the area leading scorer, at bay in the second period. Michael Myers chipped in 11 points, D. Oliver added a basket, followed by a foul shot by J. Snider. Kory Banes tipped in a shot at the buzzer. The Oracles were only down three at half 30-27.

The Red Devils went on their ten point run in the third to open it up to a 13-point lead at the end of the period. The Oracles stayed in this one during the fourth, but could only cut the lead by one. The Red Devils come away with at least a share of the Hoosier Conference crown with the 59- 47 win.

Delphi was led by M. Myers with 15 points, J. Snider and K. Banes, 9 points each, D. Oliver 5, K. Bender and K. Stonebraker 4 points each, followed by T. Cripe with a foul shot.

Zink led the JV with 12 points, followed by Cripe with 8. The Red Devils took a 21-9 lead in the first period and cruised to a 51-35 victory.

Vs. Maconaquah Saturday night the Oracles traveled to Maconaquah High School where the (3-11) Braves out rebounded the visitors 37-23. That was a contributing factor in this Oracle loss.

Banes took a foul at the halftime buzzer. He stepped to the line and sank both shots to give the Oracles a 2-point lead. Delphi lost the lead in the third period, but was only down by two, 40-38. Myers opened the final period with a three pointer. The Braves came back with two baskets to retake the lead. Myers hit a basket and got a steal and drove it to the rim for two and Delphi was back on top, 45-44. The Braves dominated the boards and opened an 8-point lead. K. Bender hit two foul shots for the Oracles' final scoring. Maconaquah hit 5 of 6 foul shots to end the game up 56-47.

Myers led the Oracles with 19 points, Oliver connected for 14, Banes 8, Bender 4 and Snider had 2. The Braves were led by J. Bradley with 21 points, Pyke had 15, followed by George with 10 for double figure scoring.

The JV started off slow and the Braves took advantage with some easy baskets inside, winning 56-43. Delphi had two scorers in double figures, Cripe led with 11, followed by Zink with 10.

The Oracles will host county rival, Carroll, Friday night. The JV game starts at 6:30 p.m.