Tech comes out strong, defeats Broad Ripple at VYPE GOW

Click to view image

By James Howell

For VYPE Magazine (Central Indiana)

The rematch that placed the seventh-ranked Class 4A Indianapolis Arsenal Tech Titans (18-3) against the 2A Broad Ripple Rockets (13-5) was billed to be a close contest.  In the teams’ previous match-up this season (during the Indianapolis City Tournament) the Titans were able to stop the Rockets by a 55-42 margin. Since that meeting the Rockets had won five straight games, including a win over 2A No. 1 Park Tudor.

On Friday night at the VYPE Basketball Game of the Week, the Titans didn't take any chances and came out aggressive to win 60-34.

Tech jumped out to an 11-0 lead to open the game behind five quick points by junior forward Trey Lyles and key baskets from Jeramie Tyler and Michael Jones.

“I thought we came out focused and ready to go. We played selflessly on the defensive side of the ball,” Titans head coach James Delaney said.

“We knew they came in off a big win against Park Tudor, so we came out ready to execute,” Lyles added.

Lyles had many looks early with his shot consistently on target. After the first period Lyles had seven points and three rebounds propelling the Titans to a 20-9 advantage.

In the second quarter each side struggled to capitalize. While struggling to take advantage of opportunities, Tech led 30-14 at the half. Lyles lead all scorers at the break with 11 points. He also added six rebounds.

In the opening of the second half both teams began to settle down into their respective games, which didn’t help the Rockets. The Titans stretched their lead to 20 points in the third quarter behind consistent shooting and precise passing.

Entering the fourth quarter Broad Ripple pushed to make a comeback, but it was halted by two emphatic dunks by the Titans. The first came on a fast break by Jeramie Tyler and the second on an alley-oop from C.J. Walker to Lyles.

Following the back-to-back dunks Tech pulled their starters and rode out their lead until the final horn.

The Titans have averaged nearly 70 points per game this season, but instead of relying on their offense down the stretch, they used their defense to seal the victory.

“(We have) been preaching the effort on defense. We are two weeks away from the sectionals and these guys hit the gym the day after we lost to Lawrence Central last year,” Delaney said. “I told them that this is what they’ve been working a year for, and we need to be ready going into the sectional in two weeks.”

Lyles finished with a game-high 20 points and 13 rebounds on the night. Jeramie Tyler of the Titans joined him in double figures. Chase Parker led the Rockets with eight points and seven rebounds.