Seeing his boys basketball team in live game action for the first time this season, Cardinals head coach Billy Jeffries got a taste of what he can expect moving forward.
And from a scouting and evaluation standpoint, he got three very different outcomes to break down at last week's Tipton Basketball Tournament.
In the opening round on Monday, Dec. 1, Tipton rolled past Bunceton, 80-11, in convincing fashion. Three days later, the Cardinals were tested in the semifinals, squeaking past a tough New Bloomfield squad 57-49 in overtime. In Saturday's championship, Tipton suffered its first loss, falling to Macks Creek 49-38.
After weeks of practice, Jeffries was glad to begin the regular season. While many high school basketball teams began playing two weeks ago, Tipton pushed its schedule back to give the school's football players extra practice time once their fall season ended. Starting guards Ryan Wood and Dylan Cooper, among others, compete in both sports.
"Our starters played more than expected (against Bunceton), but they needed a chance to get their rhythm," Jeffries said. "It's early in the season and we still have to gel. It's only going to help us down the road."
While Bunceton didn't present many challenges, the Cardinals' win over New Bloomfield was important. It gave Tipton an opportunity to play a close game against a good opponent, and could give the Cardinals an advantage if the teams meet again at the district tournament.