Carroll free throws seal Delphi's fate
By Brad Brummett

The annual contest between the Delphi Oracles and the Carroll Cougars was just what you would expect for a county rivalry - a fight to the end. The visiting Cougars pulled it out in the fourth quarter for the 58-56 win.

Kory Banes made the first basket of the game, followed by a three pointer by Michael Myers. Dustin Oliver tipped in a rebound and was fouled. His foul shot was good as the Oracles jumped out to an eight point lead, coming from two Cougar turnovers. The Cougars countered with a three pointer by Riley Eller and a tip in by Adam Tussinger to close the score 8 to 5. Midway through the period, Carroll tied the score at 12. Delphi went on a nine point run to take a 19 to 12 advantage ending the first period.

Kevin Ives made two foul shots for the Cougars to open second period scoring. Delphi opened to a 9-point spread during the second but the Cougars took advantage of defensive rebounding and went in at half down by four points. The Cougars outscored the Oracles in the second period 14 to 11.

Carroll tied the game at 30 points with baskets by Tussinger and Cory Mahan to start the third. Myers countered with two consecutive three pointers to retake the lead for Delphi at 36-30. Jason Hazel answered with a long ball for the Cougars. Oliver made an old-fashioned three by way of a basket and foul shot for Delphi. Carson Spesard scored two foul shots and a basket by Tussinger pulled the Cougars back to a two point deficit. Banes banked one in for the Oracles and Spesard hit a basket for Carroll to end the third period scoring with Delphi up 41-39.

Eller hit a basket to tie the game at 41 to open the final period. Tussinger made a basket, giving the Cougars their first lead of the game. Myers came right back with a three pointer only to be matched by Carroll's Hazel. Carroll forced a charge and Eller took advantage of the turnover with a shot from downtown. The Cougars' lead was now 49-44. Kyle Bender sank one foul shot and Banes hit 2 baskets to tie the score. Ives made two foul shots and Carroll was in double bonus the rest of the game.

Matt Lewis, back from knee surgery, ended Delphi scoring with a three pointer. The Cougars hit 7 of 8 final foul shots while in the double bonus, keeping the lead to the final second, Carroll 58 - Delphi 56.

This was one of the best played games for the Oracles this season. The Oracles played tough all four quarters, but just came up short in the end.

The Cougars led the rebounding stats 30 to 19.

Junior Varsity

Carroll made it a clean sweep over the Oracles, defeating them 50-39. Delphi led by two points after the first period. Carroll came back to lead at half 19 to 16. The Cougars opened the lead to 12 points by the end of the third.

Spesard had 12 points and Kyle Geheb had 10 points for double figure scoring for Carroll. Tanner Cripe led Delphi with 12 and Philip Zink had 10 points.

Thursday night Delphi will host Twin Lakes, JV tipoff is at 6 p.m. Saturday, Delphi travels to Pioneer for a 1 p.m. tip-off.