Published: February 28, 2008 11:51 pm            

BOYS BB: Offense carries Titans

Taylor ousts Sheridan; advances to face No. 5 Tipton

TIPTON — The Taylor boys basketball team exploded for its highest offensive output in nearly 25 seasons, which allowed it to win going away despite a defensive performance that looked straight out of a summer open gym setting.

Taylor beat Sheridan 92-67 in a Class 2A Tipton Sectional quarterfinal round game Thursday night.

Taylor (12-8) advances to face No. 5-ranked Tipton (19-2) in a semifinal round game at approximately 7:45 tonight. Sheridan closed with a 1-20 record.

“To win big games, you have to defend and rebound and [tonight] is a big game against a good team. We will have to defend and rebound better. That will be key,” Taylor coach Jeff Fisher said. “The kids did a nice job [Thursday] passing the ball, getting shots, taking the ball strong to the hoop, and that is wonderful. [Tonight], we’ll see how tough we are because we’ll have to battle if we’re going to have a chance to win.”

The Titans had plenty of offensive highlights Thursday. They shot 52 percent from the field, 39 percent from 3-point range and 83 percent from the charity stripe in racking up 92 points — their highest score since a 93-60 win over Madison-Grant in the 1983-84 season opener. Tyler Gotshall scored 20 points, Drake Herr scored a career-high 19 points, Jonathan Bulger also had 19, Reomey Northington had 11 and Seth Vautaw chipped in 10.

The Titans had few defensive highlights. The Blackhawks came in averaging just 47.7 points per game, but repeatedly took advantage of easy looks in transition and in the halfcourt.

“Our defensive intensity just wasn’t there at all,” Fisher lamented.

Gotshall scored six points to help the Titans bolt to a quick 10-2 lead, but he went to the bench following just 2:20 of action after picking up two fouls. Gotshall remained on the bench the rest of the half, but the Titans still cruised to a 22-11 lead by the close of the quarter and a 31-18 lead at 5:42 of the second quarter. The Blackhawks followed with a 15-2 run to knot the score at 33-all before the Titans regrouped for a 43-37 halftime lead.

The Blackhawks shot 7 of 12 from the field and 12 of 15 from the charity stripe in the second quarter.

“They had 14 points on free throws in the first half,” Fisher said. “We really concentrate on playing people flat because they like to dribble, spin and throw stuff up. So you really have to concentrate on playing flat, help with your feet, then recover and we didn’t do that. Then we got beat in transition when we’re not putting our head on a swivel to see where the ball is at all the time.”

The Titans played a little better defensively in the second half, which coupled with their offensive fireworks, allowed them to pull away. They opened the half with an 11-2 run to take a 54-39 advantage. The Blackhawks came no closer than 13 the rest of the way.

The Titans led 71-52 at the close of the third quarter and their lead peaked at 27 in the final quarter.

The Titans finished with a 35-26 advantage on the boards. Drake Herr cleared a game-high 13 rebounds and Gotshall had nine boards.

Gotshall also hit both of his free throw attempts. He has made 43 straight attempts.

Adam Eads led Sheridan with 23 points — including 17 in the first half. Carlton Summer followed with 17 points.

Tipton beat Taylor 63-51 on Feb. 2. Indiana University recruit Derek Elston had 32 points, 13 rebounds and seven steals for the Blue Devils.

“Elston is a great player plus, I think they have people [off the bench] who are good shooters and are athletic. That poses problems,” Fisher said. “We’re not going to score 92 [tonight]. We’re going to have to defend. I hope we come and strap it on and get our competitive boots back on.”

        

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