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Evan
Philpot (20) had his best game of the season Tuesday against Twin
Valley South. On a night when
Philpot would score a career high of 16
points, the Tigers would bomb the Panthers, 69-39. CNO file photo
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V-Tigers declaw
Panthers in sectional action
By George Starks
Tipp City- it didn’t take long for the Versailles Tigers to show their
dominance Tuesday in the sectional semi-final against Twin Valley South.
The team from the Cross County Conference proved to be no match for
Versailles, as the Tigers dropped a 30 point bomb on the Panthers,
69-39.
It was the night of nights for Evan Philpot as the Versailles player
came off the bench to score a career high 16 points, 10 coming in the
second quarter.
Philpot and Damien Richard both netted 16 to pace the Tigers.
“Evan and Damien had big games for us tonight. We had a lot of people
step up,” said Versailles coach Scott McEldowney. “Evan had a great
game tonight and we knew we outsized them down low. His timing was
great, slipping to the basket. All we had to do was get the ball there
and we did that. We played well as a team tonight and I’ll take good
play now over good play in the regular season.”
Up 13-7 after one, Versailles broke thing open in the second, scoring
21 points in the frame while allowing eight on defense to take a
commanding 34-15 advantage.
Even though the Panthers netted 24 more points in the second half, a
50-30 deficit was more that they could overcome in the final eight
minutes.
In addition to the 32 scored by Philpot and Richard, Chad Winner netted
15 and sophomore Kyle Ahrens pumped in 10 in support.
Holding the Panthers to 39 on the night, McEldowney saw his team let
down a little on defense.
“I know we won that quarter (3rd) by one point and that was a little
bit of a scare,” said McEldowney. “It’s a tough thing to do when you
play so well and you build a lead and then all of a sudden we relaxed a
little bit for whatever the reason or we get too aggressive and then
the kids forget what got them that lead.”
When it came to protecting the ball, the Tigers had just eight miscues
on the night.
Something that McEldowney wants to see in the sectional final against
Bethel.
“Hopefully that is something that will continue as we go further in the
tournament,” said McEldowney. “Bethel, out of that zone they play, puts
the pressure on you and have their hands in everything so we have to
make good decisions against them.”
Versailles, 18-5, will play Bethel Friday night at the University of
Dayton Arena, scheduled to start at 7:30 pm.
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