Tigers Look To Challenge For the RVC South

Members of the 2016-17 Tipton boy’s basketball team are front row, l-r: Kael Jauron, Elliott Cummins, Jesse Lieser, Craig Shaffer, Andrew Comstock, Joey Butler and Eli Lindsey. Second row: manager Chloe Garvis, McKenna O’Leary, Austin Mente, Ben Ellis, Colby Kleppe, Landan Hill, Michael Bornsen, Colby Walsh, manager Danielle Unruh. Third row: Coach Jacob Reinhardt, Blake Wilkins, Logan Hoffman, Brendon Claussen, Daulton Mente, Zach Ford, Hunter Tenley, Frank Bierman, Andrew Stewart, Coach Gene Schroeder. Back row: Coach Deon Nelson, Blaise Thumma, Bryce Deerberg, Connor Hermiston, Luke Becker, Jacob Tischuk, Quinten Mesick, Jared Hightower, Trent Pelzer, head coach Matt Fouch. Photo by Darren Miller.

By Ryan Stonebraker

Sports Editor, Tipton Conservative

TIPTON — The Tipton boy’s basketball team has soared to new heights under head coach Matt Fouch the past three seasons.  The Tigers have improved by 10 wins over that time including jumping seven wins last season from five in the 2013-14 season to a 12-11 season a year ago.  The Tigers didn’t lose more than two games in a row all season.  One, three game win streak; two, two-game win streaks.

“It’s very exciting getting ready for the season.  We lost some of our leaders from last year in Derek, Trent, Logan and Mitchell.  The first days of practice, we have been working on finding new leaders and establish who our go to guys will be,” said Tipton basketball coach Matt Fouch.

Tipton led the River Valley Conference South division in made three pointers (165) and attempted (485).  The Tigers also led the South in free throw percentage with as a team, going 71.6-percent.  Tipton was second in the RVC South in made free throws with 281.

Defensively, Tipton led the South in steals with 204 and was second in rebounding as a team, averaging 25.0 per game.  Tipton did a good job taking care of the basketball as well as they were second in the South with the fewest turnovers on offense with 221 for the season, or a little over 9.5 per game.

Despite that, the Tigers gave up a lot of points last season.  Tipton led the South in points scored per game with an average of 61.7 including seven games with 70 or more points.  However, the Tigers also gave up a South worst 60.5 points a game, including 10 games of 60 or more points.

That fact, has the attention of Fouch as the preparation for the new season began.

“We are really working on our defense.  We have a new philosophy and that is exciting.  Our defense is ahead of our offense and that is exciting, knowing how good our offense will be.  We lacked in defensive intensity last year.  so far, that is not the case,” said Fouch.

Gone from last season are starting guards Derek Nebergall and Trent Schroeder along with key reserves Logan Ralston and Mitchell Penningroth.

Nebergall was was a first team All-RVC South selection after leading the Tigers in scoring with a 14.3-point average.  He led the Tigers in steals (51) and was second in assists (46).  Schroeder was a honorable mention selection after averaging 7.8 points a game.  He had 30 made three pointers, 61 rebounds, 38 assists and 29 steals.  Ralston recorded 41 rebounds and averaged 1.3 points a game while Penningroth had 11 steals and 15 rebounds.  Nick Charves and Matt Penningroth also graduated from last year’s team.

Back are second, third and fourth leading scorers in Mark Becker, Adam Hermsen and Matt Pelzer.  

Becker was one of the top shooters in the RVC last year, making 58 three pointers and averaging 12.3 points a game.  He also shot 83-percent from the free throw line to lead the Tigers.  Becker was a 1st team all conference selection.  He was second on the team in rebounds with 90 and tied for the team high with 52 assists.  

Hermsen averaged 10.7 points a game and made 47 three pointers.  He shot 76-percent from the free throw line and led Tipton in rebounding with 102. He also had 39 steals.  Pelzer averaged 8.8 points a game and made 30 three pointers.  He had 81 rebounds and tied Becker in assists with 52.

Also back are Zack Howell (1.9 ppg, 35 rebounds), Brendan Claussen, Zach Ford, Nate Moeller and Daulton Mente.

“We have some guys that are fighting for playing time in a bench role. There is opportunity to step up and there is competition in the gym right now.  We’ll have to see how this works out,” said Fouch.

Tipton will be road warriors, sort of, to start the season.  The Tigers begin the season at Mid-Prairie on Tuesday, December 1.  The Tigers will play their first home game of the season on Friday, December 11th when they host Durant.  Tipton will play eight of their thirteen post Christmas break games at home.  The Tigers will play the first of two games with North Cedar on Tuesday, December 15 in Clarence.  North Cedar will come to Tipton on Saturday, January 23.

Tipton will play non-conference games at home against Midland and a road game against Washington.