Oracle JV disarms Bombers
By Brad Brummett Contributing sportswriter

Hot shot Michael Myers is seen scoring in heavy traffic in Friday night's last regular season game against Rensselaer. Myers scored a game-high 31 points in the Oracles 68-55 loss to the Bombers. Bill Stauffer photo

Delphi's junior varsity ended their season with a 51-43 victory over the Rensselaer Bombers. This game was one of the JV's best games this season.

The team had it all together for this one - good defense and six players scoring. The last play of the game showed unselfish play by A.J. Erskin as he had a 2-on-1 break for the basket and tossed the ball to teammate Paul Zink for a layup.

The Oracles were down by one point at the end of the first quarter. Intense defensive play forced two turnovers in the second period and the Oracles capitalized on Bomber mistakes. Zink buried a shot behind the arc, sending the Oracles in at halftime ahead by 6, 23-17.

The Oracles held tough and opened a ten-point lead in the final period. Rensselaer could only close within 6 points, at the narrowest margin, as Delphi closed their season with the victory.

Two Oracles players shot in double figures. Zink led with 17 points and Quinton Pearson had 14 points. Tanner Cripe and AJ Erskin had 6 points each, AJ Beckett and K. Bender each had 4 points. Josh Wollack was the only Bomber in double figures with 10 points. The Bombers had seven other players score in this conference game.

The varsity faced a 14-6 team. The Bombers scored first and Kory Banes countered with a basket. A Bomber foul gave the ball back to the Oracles and Michael Myers hit a trey, only to be matched by T. Phegley. The game was tied at 5 each. The Bombers made two unanswered baskets as they closed the first period with a 22-14 lead. Delphi closed the gap to within 4 points by halftime, thanks to a six-point run.

Half-time was Senior Night and the additional time must have played havoc on the Oracles. The Bombers opened the third period with a 12-0 run. The Oracles countered with a 10-2 run before time expired in the third with the Oracles down by 6, 44-38. Rensselaer led by as many as 16 in the final period, ending this conference game at 65-51.

Myers led all scorers with 31 points. Travis Brandenburg led the Bombers with 22 points.

Last Tuesday night the Oracles traveled to Clinton Central. The JV opened the night of celebration for the Bulldog faithful, as Coach John Sloggett is retiring at the end of the season. Both Bulldog teams celebrated victories on their final home appearance for the season.

The Oracles played close in the first period. The Bulldogs broke loose in the second quarter, outscoring Delphi 15-4. Clinton Central then cruised to a 47-33 victory. Six Oracles scored, led by Zink and Tanner Cripe with seven points each, followed by Erskin and Pearson with 6 points each. Beckett added 4 points and Matt Wilcox contributed 3.

The Bulldogs were led by Dylan Padgett with 10 points.

The varsity Oracles kept close in the first quarter, down 17-14, by way of a long range basket by Kreigh Sloggett. A low scoring second period, the Bulldogs were on top 24-18 at intermission.

Coach Sloggett's half-time celebration inspired the Bulldogs. They opened the lead to 15 points by the end of the third. Clinton Central didn't pull back the reins at all in the final stanza, scoring 5 treys and winning 68-44. The Bulldogs were paced by junior Shane Heidt with 16 points. Dustin Oliver led the Oracles with 14 points followed by Myers and Andrew Cebulla, each with 11 points.

The Bulldogs out rebounded Delphi 40-26.

The Oracles saw sectional action last night (past press deadline) at North Montgomery.