By Mike McGraw
Executive Director
BLACKFORD – Mirror, mirror on the wall … That is how Class 3A 13th-ranked Delta coach Paul Keller had to be feeling during his Eagles’ Regional 6 semifinal game against No. 8 Peru at Blackford – the two teams were simply mirror images of one another.
They were relatively the same height, had nearly equal speed, had ballhandlers and shooters, and rely on solid half-court, man-to-man defense. The list of similarities is endless. With that much in common, it is no surprise their totals on the scoreboard were similar as well.
But it was Delta (22-4) that outlasted the Tigers, 57-54, in double overtime to advance to the regional final. Once there, the Eagles dispatched of Whitko (19-6), 64-50.
Semifinal 1: 2A #13 Delta 57, 2A #8 Peru 54 (2OT)
How close was the contest between the Eagles and the Tigers? Well, the largest lead enjoyed by either team was seven points, and that lasted exactly one possession. There were numerous lead changes, and more than 70 percent of the game was played within a one-possession range.
In other words, it was just about as close as you can get.
The first half of this game was so close, and the teams played in such an identical fashion, that the game actually had very little drama. Delta led at the end of eight minutes, 13-11. Peru (19-5) took the lead on two occasions in the second stanza, but at intermission Delta still clung to a 22-21 margin.
About the only thread the game seemed to establish was that the Tigers were having to work harder to score than Delta. The Eagles seemed able to reverse the ball and acquire good shots. Still, thanks in large part to the strong play of junior Wes Zimmerman, the Tigers stayed close.
Delta’s defense tightened even more in the third quarter, and when dynamic guard Skylar Case hit a 3-pointer late in the period, the Eagles grabbed their largest lead at 34-27. They regained that margin at the end of the period, 36-29.
There was a subtle change, however, in the play during the last two minutes of the quarter. Suddenly, Peru began moving the ball much better on offense. In turn, that began producing better shots.
That trend continued as the fourth quarter began. Peru spent the final eight minutes gaining opportunities much easier than Delta. It was a very subtle shift, but in this game it was enough to turn the momentum.
The Tigers slowly closed the gap and finally pulled even in the last two minutes on a bucket from junior forward Roderick Smith. With the score tied at 40, the cat-and-mouse game began. Each coach was working to insure his team had the final opportunity for victory.
As is often the case, the best-laid plans of both went awry as each team committed a rare turnover on its last possession. Yet each of these two very balanced teams developed a player who seemed to rise to the occasion.
For Delta, it was Case. The diminutive guard scored all five of the Eagles’ points in the first overtime, and it would have been enough had it not been for Zimmerman’s huge three that tied the contest in the final minute of the extra session.
After four minutes of extra play, they had decided nothing. The game was still deadlocked 45-45.
Peru grabbed the first lead of the second overtime, 47-45. That set up the game’s most crucial play. Showing no signs of panic, Delta calmly worked the ball for an opportunity. The Eagles found it when a ball reversal opened senior Dane Humphrey sliding down the left side of the lane.
Humphrey took the pass, scored, and drew a foul (the play is in the video player on this page). He serenely stepped to the line and sank the charity toss. Delta had regained the lead, 48-47, and would not trail again.
The Eagles never trailed, but they certainly weren’t comfortable. Delta increased the lead to as many as five in the remaining minutes, but Peru twice cut the margin back to one. It was not until Case dropped two free throws in the final seconds to establish the final score that Delta could ever feel comfortable.
Case led all scorers with 22 points, while Zimmerman led Peru with 15 markers.
One of the great aspects of this game was that both teams anticipated during the year that it would take place. They had met last year (a 63-52 Delta win … in overtime … in the regional semi), and neither had lost much to graduation. Here is a hint of things to come: Both teams have a lot coming back again next season.
Meanwhile, Delta has more pressing concerns with a March 21 date against No. 7 Rochester (22-3) in the 3A semistate at Lafayette Jefferson.
Semifinal 2: Whitko 73, Harding 67
TO COME!!
6. Blackford Regional
Game 1: Delta 57, Peru 54 (2OT)
Game 2: Whitko 73, Harding 67
Championship: Delta 64, Whitko 50
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