Sessions leads Red Devils to tourney opening win

It was a very solid balanced attack that led the Tippecanoe girls basketball team to a victory in their opening sectional tournament game 62-27 over Franklin. They advance to the second round where they play Bellbrook Wednesday at Springfield, tipoff 6 p.m.

Morgan Sessions led the balanced attack with 15 points, Mady Turner added ten, Emily Aselage and Macey Griffin each added nine with three others with seven each.

The entire team had to step up with leading scorer Abbi Mader out of the game due to illness. After a slow start, the Red Devils took over the game in the second quarter and never looked back.

“I was excited for the team because everything I believe in, I want every player to feel empowered,” Tipp coach Julian Grasso said. “I want everyone on this team to feel they can have a career night on any given time. We have had several people in and out of the lineup all season, losing Reese (Hoover) early, Courtney (Post) has been dealing with different ailments this season, and Abbi is out tonight.”

“It is great to see we are a true team, and it is a testament on how much talent there is in Tipp City. We have a lot of people who can contribute.”

Franklin had one lead in the game, and it was very early, but the Red Devils used a 7-0 run to capture the lead. Then, Griffin buried a three to end the quarter, and Tipp led 13-8 after eight minutes.

The second quarter was all Tipp. They outscored the Wildcats 20-3 during the period as Ella Combs knocked down a pair of threes and Post scored five as the Red Devils put the game out of reach.

“We had people in different spots. We talked about how the game would start out, and Franklin would be ready to play,” Grasso said. “They played hard and prepared for the game. Macey hit some big shots early in the game to settle the team down.”

Tipp now has a tough task battling Bellbrook tonight at Springfield, 6:00 p.m. tipoff. Grasso knows it will be a very tough challenge for the girls.

“We are really excited to play Bellbrook in the Sectional Finals. It will be a high level game here on Wednesday night.”