Chipley goes 3 for 4 for Monday night

CHIPLEY – The Chipley Tigers made it hard on the visitors Monday night as they took 3 of 4 from the Graceville girls and the Vernon boys.

The Chipley JV girls fell 41-6 to Graceville as Zay Hendron led the visitors with 13 points. Allie Faukner led Chipley with four points.

Both varsity girls’ teams came out pressing and kept the press on most of the game, with Chipley taking a 27-26 halftime lead and a 34-33 lead after three quarters.

Chipley Coach Tracey Dudley’s team began breaking the Graceville press in the second quarter. “I told them to relax and play like we were on our home court,” the coach quipped. “We’re not used to playing in front of this many people.”

Graceville took a 39-38 lead late in the fourth quarter but determined play by Sherina Gonzalez and clever inside passing to Carlee Owens, who led the team with 17 points, almost all on layups, led the Tigers to a 51-41 victory.

“She has a sweet shot,” Dudley said. “We made plays to get the ball to her tonight.” Gonzalez scored 15 points.

The Chipley JV boys had to come from behind several times as they battled a determined Graceville team. Tyler Oliver’s three-pointer at the buzzer gave Chipley some breathing room with a 28-23 halftime lead.

The Tigers looked like they were breaking the game open when they tok a 40-25 lead in the third period, but the Yellow Jackets chopped away at the lead to draw to 51-50 with 16 seconds left before Chipley made a free throw to take a 52-50 win.

Oliver led with 21 points while Andy Sipes led Vernon with 14 points.

The Tigers broke the varsity game open early, jumping out to a 16-0 first-quarter lead and holding Vernon scoreless until 5:07 left in the first half to win going away 57-26. It was the opening game for both teams.

Leon Broxton led Chipley with 14 points, including a dunk. Karsten Whitson and A.J. Roulhac both tallied 11 points. John Johnson and Wesley Adkison each scored six to lead Vernon.

Coach Joel Orlando was pleased with his team’s intensity. “The student body fed a lot of energy,” he said. “We constantly preach intensity and tonight the team say how intensity affects the game.”

Orlando was pleased with the overall performance, but said that the Tigers need to work on checking out, helpside team defense and making good decisions with the basketball.

“We’re laying the groundwork for what we need at Chipley,” he said.

More coverage in the weekend edition paper

NOTE: Dec. 2 “McCullouth Homecoming Night,” as legendary Chipley Coach Rich McCullouth brings his Bainbridge, Ga., Bearcats to Chipley. McCullouth was on hand Tuesday night scouting the Tigers. “All I want is a win,” he said with a smile as he greeted old friends.