Tipp handles adversity to defeat Troy

Midway through the opening quarter of what was an expected comfortable league win against Troy, the Tippecanoe girls basketball team watched as their standout sophomore Abbi Mader was helped off the floor. 

The Red Devils, even with a 44-20 victory over the Trojans, continued to put great pressure on the Trojans and push toward the victory. Without the league’s best player, many of her teammates rose the level of their game and kept the undefeated season alive with the win.

“Whether she is out a week or more, I told them I don’t need them to be Abbi Mader,” Tipp coach Brett Kopp said. “I just need Savannah to be a little better Savannah, Mady to be a little bit better Mady, and so on…that’s what it is about. They have it in them now is the time to show it on the floor.”

“We competed, and we knew they would compete, and we faced some adversity early,” Kopp said. “When in doubt, the girls are going to compete. That is who they are and what they are about.”

“We have to make some adjustments, and we will figure it out as we move forward.”

It was a balanced attack with Clawson and Courtney Post each with nine points, Turner added eight, and Liv Hiser added seven. The balance was impressive as they know their roles have increased. 

The Red Devils built an 11-0 lead after the opening quarter as five different Tipp players scored in the opening quarter. During the second eight minutes, Troy fought back and it was an even quarter as the Trojans scored eight points to cut their deficit to 21-8 at the half. Turner and Post scored early to make it 15-0, but the Trojans controlled the final five minutes of the half, outscoring Tipp 8-6. Even though the outcome was not in doubt, they gave Tipp a push during that quarter. 

Tipp responded to open the third quarter to end any momentum the Trojans might try to get in the third. Turner led with a three, followed by two consecutive threes from Clawson, and before Troy could get their timeout, they trailed 30-8. Troy only scored two in the quarter as Tipp built their 35-10 lead after three. 

Tipp played Marion Local on Monday in the Versailles Prosperity Promotions Classic with a story coming next week. They host Stebbins tonight, then head to West Carrollton on Saturday.