Titans' balanced attack not enough to best Tipton

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It looked like a marquee matchup. The 14-5 Taylor Titans welcomed the Tipton Blue Devils (12-6) for boys’ varsity basketball contest that promised intense competition and perhaps some highlight reel moments.

What fans saw instead was a deliberate chess match that ended in victory for the visitors, 43-40. Both teams played a methodical game, taking shots sparingly as they tested each other's defense. As a result, Taylor led at the half by a score of 19-15.

Tipton stormed back in the third, going on an 8-0 run early in the quarter to take the lead. But the two teams traded the lead for the rest of the period. The Titans still clung to a 29-27 lead entering the final frame. Taylor jumped to a five-point lead as Keyshawn Galloway hit a three to open the scoring. It was the largest margin either team would see for the rest of the game.

The two teams traded blows like prize fighters searching for a final haymaker to end the bout. The killing blow never came. Tipton's Grady Carpenter hit a shot as the clock wound down, giving Tipton a 42-40 lead. Taylor sought to foul to regain possession in the final moments, and Tipton's Grayson McFalls hit one of two from the charity stripe to extend the lead to 43-40. Taylor couldn't capitalize on its final opportunity to send the game into overtime and fell to their cross-county rivals.

Junior Javionne Harris led Taylor in scoring with 13 points, while adding nine rebounds and three assists. He was matched by sophomore Galloway, who also registered 13 points and added a pair of steals. Junior Drey McClatchey rounded out the scoring with 10 points.

For Tipton, it was the Grady Carpenter show, as the senior sank 23 points to go with six rebounds and seven assists. He was aided by sophomore McFalls, who scored 12 points and pulled down eight rebounds.

Both teams struggled at the free throw line, where the game easily could have shifted in either direction. Tipton went 6-13 at the charity stripe, with only Carpenter and McFalls taking shots. Taylor fared only slightly better, sinking just nine of 16 attempts. Harris' 2-7 performance from the line accounted for most of the misses.

The Titans (15-6) recovered from the loss with an overtime thriller at Rossville on Feb. 18. They next face a tough Carroll team (14-4) on the road tonight, Feb. 21.

Tipton (14-6) continued its winning ways with a victory over Oak Hill at home on Feb. 18. The Blue Devils return to action tonight (Feb. 21) when they host Benton Central (9-12).

See additional photos from this game, including galleries featuring both teams, courtesy of Adam Hartsough, on the Lantern’s Facebook page or group.