Delta avenges loss to Chaffee in conference championship thriller

OAK RIDGE — The Delta Bobcats girls basketball team defeated the Chaffee Red Devils 62-50 in the Scott-Mississippi Conference Tournament championship Thursday, Jan. 30, at Oak Ridge High School.

The win avenges Delta's loss to Chaffee on Dec. 12 in the Red Devil Invitational and sets up a tiebreaker game Monday, Feb. 10, in Delta.

“I think they're as good as just about anybody we want to see in Class 1. They've got a good team. They're big, they're athletic and they play hard and, tonight, they shot the ball well. Carlyanne Cossou, that's the best game I've ever seen her play,” Delta head coach David Heeb said. “I've known her since she was a little kid, what a great game by Carlyanne. Hats off to Chaffee, it was two good teams tied up going into the fourth quarter where anything goes.”

The first quarter of the game was a neck-and-neck track meet with contact. Both teams played physical and quick, but Delta had the advantage after the first 13-6.

The second quarter began in Chaffee’s favor with Carlyanne Cossou leading the charge with 16 points in the quarter. Delta held a slim 29-26 lead entering the half.

More physical play in the third made for an exciting finish as the teams were tied at 41 heading into the final frame. That is when Delta’s Jade Berry completely took over the game with three consecutive 3s to give her team a 52-41 lead. From there, Delta held on and took home the victory.

Heeb was happy with the win, but said his team needs to do better with leads in the future.

“When you get a lead like that, the good teams extend them. We let them kind of chip back into it just a little bit. We missed some free throws and had a couple silly turnovers. I thought in the fourth quarter, Jade got really hot,” Heeb said. “I think the big thing was the other four kids out there, especially Raelin (Nanney) and Lillie (Boitnott). They came and got the ball and helped Jade more than they did the rest of the game. I thought Raelynn and Lily doing that allowed Jade to be open.”

Delta will play at Meadow Heights at 7:30 p.m. Monday, while Chaffee will travel to Scott County Central for a 7:30 p.m. Monday contest.