Tigers improve to 2-0 after beating Black Cats
By BARRY HALV0RSON bhalvorson@journal-spectator.com

The Wharton Tigers clamped down defensively during two key stretches for an impressive 67-53 win over the Bay City Tuesday night at the Tiger Gymnasium.

The victory improved the locals record to 2-0 on the season going into this weekend's Weimar Tournament.

After a back-and-forth start to the game, the Tigers first big defensive stand closed out the first half. After Bay City went up 18-16 with just over 5 minutes to play in the opening half, Wharton shut them down the rest of the way to intermission to claim a 26-18 lead at the intermission.

Bay City spent the first part of third quarter chipping away at the Wharton lead.

The visitors would close to within two before both teams got hot down the stretch and exchanged a pair of treys each, the Tigers' supplied by Jordan Kirshke and Keemon Jones. Wharton closed out the quarter 42-41.

The fourth quarter once again belonged to the Wharton defense as they went on a 21-10 run through the first six minutes of the quarter.

"Our defense was the key," Senior Jonavon Jones said. "And a lot of our offense in the second half came off our defense."

And Jones was among those who benefited from his own defense.

After being shutout in the first half, he finished with 11 points on the night. He also grabbed 4 offensive and 4 defensive boards.

Odis Thompson led the Tigers with 14 to go with a team high 7 assists

Kirshke and Keemon Jones finished with a dozen points each, including both hitting a pair of treys on the night.

Jones added 10 boards to the stat sheet for a double-double while Kirshke had three dishes.

Julian Waddy added 4 boards and 3 points in limited action before fouling out.

Darin Dale led Bay City with 12 points while Mitch Kimberling and Mike Smith hit for 9 each.