Red-hot Cougars eliminate Oracles
By John J. Dunn Contributing sportswriter
Carroll used excellent marksmanship and a significant height advantage to exact a measure of revenge over Delphi in the semi-final round of the Class 2A Sectional at Fountain Central Friday night, defeating the Oracles 53-38.

The Cougars shot a remarkable .714 percent from the field (20-of-28) and an equally impressive .667 percent (4-of-6) from behind the 3-point arc to avenge their earlier 67-65 loss to Delphi in the only previous match-up of the season between the county-rivals on Feb. 1.

But this time, the Cougars used their size inside to repeatedly find a post player with either a lob over the defense when being fronted, or an entry pass when posting up to make the difference in the contest.

Carroll hit 17 of its first 21 shots (.809 percent) in the contest, many from inside the paint to punish the Oracle interior defense, which despite a valiant effort was simply outmatched.

The Cougars were very consistent throughout, making 5- of-7 shots in each of the first two quarters to finish the half right on their torrid shooting pace at 10-for-14, before hitting their first seven consecutive field goal attempts in the second half (6-of-6 in the third quarter) to put the game at a safe distance.

Carroll also used its height advantage to win the battle of the boards, out-rebounding Delphi by a 23-10 margin.

A see-saw first quarter started with the Cougars using their front-line triad of 6'6" Adam Spesard, 6'5" Carson Spesard and 6'3" jumpingjack Jacob Craig to force the issue on the inside, while the Oracles were content to pull the trigger from the perimeter, which has been effective during most of the season en route to an 11-11 tie.

An early second quarter Kyle Bender basket in the lane put Delphi on top at 13- 11, before Adam Spesard made back-to-back lay-ups to put Carroll ahead 15-13 with 6:20 remaining.

Matt Lewis responded with a 3-pointer with 4:26 left in the half to give the Oracles what would be their last lead of the game at 16-15.

The game, which was shaping up be a typical back-&- forth, down-to-the-wire Carroll-Delphi nail-biter that saw five lead changes and four ties through the first quarter-and-a-half, was about to change its course.

The Cougars went on a 17-3 run during this span, ignited by consecutive treys from Kevin Ives and Craig that led to an 11-3 run to finish the half with a 26-19 lead. The Cougars hit their first six points to start the second half to take a commanding 32-19 lead with 5:50 left in the third quarter.

Ives had eight of his 12 points during this pivotal stretch, while A. Spesard added another pair of inside buckets, on his way to a game-high 14 points.

Justin Snider's jumper narrowed the gap to 32-22 at the 5:38 mark, but another 8-1 Carroll run inspired from four points from Riley Eller, who began to show flashes of returning to form after missing most of the season recovering from knee surgery, put the Cougars up 40-22 with 1:40 left in the quarter.

Delphi closed the third quarter with baskets from Dustin Oliver and a buzzer-beater from Austin Hawn sandwiched around a Craig hoop to trail 42-26 at the break.

Carroll took its biggest lead of the game at 45-26 with 7:03 remaining after opening the final period with a Craig free throw and another A. Spesard basket in the paint.

The Oracles got no closer than 12 points the rest of the way, closing to within 46-34 at the 3:40 mark after an 8-1 run of their own - two unconventional 3-point plays, the old-fashioned way from Bender and on three free throws from Michael Myers after being fouled shooting a trey, along with a bucket from Oliver.

This just wasn't Delphi's night. The Oracles shot only .375 percent (15-of-40) from the field and just .176 (3-of- 17) from 3-point range.

A. Spesard was a perfect 7- of-7 from the field to lead Carroll, who also got 10 points from Craig and five each from both Eller and C. Spesard. Brad Benson grabbed six rebounds and Eller dished out seven assists, both game-highs.

Myers was the lone Oracle in double-figures with 10, with Oliver adding seven and Bender and Hawn five apiece.

Delphi finishes at 6-15, with Kyle Bender, Kory Banes, Lewis, Oliver and Myers playing their last game in an Oracle basketball uniform.