Fast start carries Tipp past Fairborn
The way the game started, Fairborn likely wondered if Tipp was ever going to miss a shot.
In one of the fastest starts the Red Devils have ever enjoyed, the Red Devils exploded out of the gate for 20 consecutive points to open the game and cruised to a 70-34 rout of Fairborn on Friday night. The Red Devils remain unbeaten on the season.
“We played really well coming out tonight, and it helps when the ball is going in,” Tipp coach Brock Moon said. “We played with energy, and I challenged the guys coming out. What we have to do is to do that regardless of making shots or missing shots.”
Tipp connected on four threes during the early run as it seemed everything was going in. AJ Jergens opened the scoring with a three and finished the run with another from behind the arc. Jackson Davis connected on the other long threes, aiding in the fast start.
The Red Devils led 21-2 heading to the second period before cooling down while Fairborn began to attempt a comeback. Preston Zumwalt added a pair of threes late in the half to extend their lead to 36-12.
“At halftime, that was the big talk,” Moon said when asked about making sure the guys knew the game was far from over. “The first four minutes in the third quarter are huge. Do we allow them to go on an 8-10 point run, or do we do what we are supposed to do. They hit a couple of buckets early in the third quarter. I thought we responded really well and extended the lead in the third quarter, that helped us.”
A 20-7 third quarter put the game into a running clock mode as Larkin Thomas scored five points in the period, and CJ Bailey added four.
Colin Turner and Zumwalt each had 12 points to lead a very balanced Tipp attack. Bailey and Davis each added nine, with eight points each from Jergens and Thomas.
Up next for Tipp is a non-conference home battle with Versailles this Saturday. The girls varsity plays at 5 p.m. and the boys tip at 6:30 p.m.
“They are super disciplined and play hard and together,” Moon said of Versailles. “They are very similar to us, so it will be a good challenge for us.”
