Tigers stop Pirates in 2B

Ipswich withstood a third-quarter boys' basketball rally by Highmore-Harrold in a Region 2B high school basketball bracket quarter-final to win 64-50 last Tuesday in the Tiger Den. The visitors had closed to within a point, 41-40 and would then have multiple opportunities to capture the lead.

But Ipswich came up with some defensive stops and finally an offensive rebound put back by Taylor Thorson for still a one-possession 43-40 lead, heading into the final quarter. But the Tigers would indeed outscore their visitors 21-10 in the final quarter, gradually extending their lead to assure their victory.

This game would feature some impressive runs by both schools. The Tigers had gotten out to a 18-10 lead in the opening quarter and their initial double-figure lead would be 21-10 courtesy of Trevor Beyers with his offensive rebound return. But the visiting team was by no means ready to head for home and drew to within four points, 33-29 at intermission. And they would also obtain a narrow 11-10 scoring edge during the third stanza.

The game had nine ties and five lead changes.

Ipswich was paced by a trio of double-figure scorers. Taylor Thorson would finish with 16 points including one trey. Next was Ty Kadlec with 15 points and he also featured a trey. Trevor Beyers would finish with 12 points that included a trio of three-balls.

Ipswich also obtained seven points from Ian Beyers and six points from Zach Geditz. Carter Geditz scored four points and Colby Sylte and Carson Gohl, two points apiece for the Tigers that evening. The visiting team countered with seven different scorers, led by Carter LaMont and Trake Cowen with 10 points each.

The Tigers were a warm 25-48 from the floor including those five treys and were 9-14 in their free throw tries. The Pirates went 21-52 from the floor and also featured five three-balls of their own and were 3-8 in free throws, somewhere that they could have done maybe just a little better.

The Tigers, meanwhile, fueled their win with 34 total rebounds, led by Taylor Thorson with eight boards and Kadlec and Gohl with six each. The Pirates had 23 rebounds, led by Cowen with four in a balanced team effort.

Ipswich and its visitors each only committed nine turnovers in a well-played floor game by both schools. The Tigers obtained seven steals led by Ian Beyers and Kadlec with two apiece. Kadlec also dished out five of his team's 19 assists.