Titans blank Tigers for half the game; win 57-13

This article is brought to you by Ivy Tech Community College - Kokomo Region.

It was a drubbing the likes of which is rarely seen. The Taylor Titans boys’ basketball team welcomed their cross-county rival Northwestern Tigers to the town of Center on Dec. 12 for a demoralizing beat-down. Holding the visitors scoreless for literally half the game, the Titans prevailed easily, 57-13.

Taylor jumped higher, ran faster, shot better, passed more efficiently, and kept the clock running on a game sorely in need of mercy. The Titans half-court offense kept the Tigers on their heels, as the home team shoveled the ball around unselfishly, creating open shots at every spot on the court.

To say that the Tigers were cold on the court would be an understatement, as the team managed to shoot just 17 percent from the field. Only four Northwestern players even managed to score against a Taylor team that had two players who tallied more points individually than the entire Tigers squad.

The opening stanza seemed to indicate a lopsided game was in the making. Taylor found no difficulty keeping its opponent away from the ball, jumping out to a 13-4 lead in the first quarter. Northwestern wouldn’t score again until after halftime.

Sadly, the second half was much of the same. The Tigers tried to keep things respectable by limiting the Titans to simply doubling their offensive output. But the wheels totally fell off in the final frame as Northwestern was blanked once again for an entire quarter.

In what must have felt like a small mercy, neither team heard the referees’ whistles often. Combined, the two sides managed only 12 total fouls, and only six total free throws were attempted.

Taylor was led on-court by an effective veteran trio. Senior Javionne Harris scored 17 points to go with eight rebounds, six assists, and four steals. Junior Keyshawn Galloway added 17 points of his own, with three steals and a blocked shot. Senior Drey McClatchey rounded out the scoring threat with 12 points, nine rebounds, and four assists.

On Northwestern’s side of the ledger, crooked numbers were in short supply. Sophomore Colin Cook led the team with five points and five rebounds. Junior Henry Neher added four points and a blocked shot.

The win elevated Taylor to a 2-1 record. They travel to Delphi Community (3-1) on Dec. 19. Northwestern (2-1) recovered from the loss by downing Frankfort on Dec. 15. They next host Rochester (2-2) on Dec. 19.

See additional photos from this game, including galleries for each team and shots of the crowd, band, and cheer squads, courtesy of Adam Hartsough, on the Lantern’s Facebook page or group.