On Saturday, Jan. 25, the Delphi Oracles (9-7) hosted the Winamac Warriors (6-9). After a thrilling, last-minute rally against Sheridan on Friday night, Delphi entered the game with a three game win streak. Meanwhile, Winamac was looking to steal a win on the road after a four-game home stand. In the midst of Delphi’s homecoming atmosphere, the game didn’t disappoint.

Winamac took a big lead early in the game. Winamac guard Will Larkin put the team on his shoulders in the first quarter, making three shots from beyond the arc and scoring 11 of the team’s 13 first-quarter points. The Warriors’ defensive front held true, keeping Delphi out of the paint and forcing futile three point attempts. Nevertheless, Delphi guard Elijah Hudson, who garnered a career high 13 assists, dished out assists to senior forwards Zach Townsend and Kane Zimpfer to keep Delphi in the game. After the first quarter, Winamac had a commanding 13-7 lead. 

The second quarter was very reminiscent of the first. Winamac, led by Larkin, continued its offensive production, amassing a total of five first half three point shots. Their defense, however, didn’t hold up so well. Delphi was able to start picking apart Winamac’s zone defense, allowing the Oracles to work the ball inside and open up their offense. The Warriors held a 25-18 lead by the end of the first half.

Coming out of the half, Delphi guards Peyton Roth and Jordan Roth took control of the game. Jordan made three baskets from behind the arc, Peyton added on five more points with a layup and a three, and the two led Delphi to a 20-point third quarter, their fourth-highest scoring quarter of the season. On the Winamac end, Larkin continued to lead the offense, hitting a pair of threes and scoring 8 of the team’s 12 third quarter points. By the end of the quarter, Delphi had taken a 38-37 lead.

Scoring in the fourth quarter was rather sporadic. Both teams started quick, as Delphi quickly put up four points in the paint and Winamac responded with two three pointers, putting the Warriors ahead 43-42. As time wound down in the fourth quarter, Jordan made two consecutive threes from the right side of the court, taking the lead back for Delphi. Jaden Roth made two clutch free throws with 3:17 left in the fourth and Delphi’s defense held like a brick wall, forcing Winamac to take bad shots and turn the ball over. These events, paired with a five second violation on Winamac with less than a minute left on the clock, sealed a 51-48 win for Delphi. Looking forward, the Oracles will host Tri-Central next Friday before playing Frontier in Knightstown, the site of the Hoosier Gym made famous in the movie Hoosiers.