Friday, January 14, the Tigers took on the Boone Toreadors. Boone was on top of the conference going in, which made the target on their back that much bigger. The Raccoon River Conference is really tight and ADM almost needed this win to stay in the race. Tajen Ross has been on a hot streak averaging 26 points in the past 4 games looking to continue his dominance in the conference. Unlike ADM, Boone was more balanced in their scoring having three players average 10 and their leading scorer, Ethan Lewis average 13.

Right when some people were starting to give up on the Tigers, they decided to strike. During the first half the Tigers couldn’t miss. Their first four shots were all made 3-pointers, with Matthew Larson, Payton Conrad and Tajen Ross all getting points early. Early on it was going back and forth; ADM and Boone going hand in hand on making 3 pointers. Finally, ADM got the advantage and took the lead. ADM was playing some of the best basketball all year. This experienced team was finally taking major leaps forward right when they needed to.

The whole team was rebounding and even when the other team was taller the Tigers still found ways to get the ball. ADM’s defense has improved substantially throughout the season mainly in the paint. Even when the other team has a size advantage, the Tigers play great man defense and play great help basketball down low. Late in the second half, Tajen Ross found an opening and drove to the basket and finished with a huge slam as the first half came to a close. ADM was up 36-32.

For the most part, it was all ADM in the second half getting their lead up to double digits for the majority of the second half. Payton Conrad was a machine on the assists; he somehow always found the open man. Whether it was Ross or Larson beyond the arch or even Cole Knoll or Carter Nordman down low in the paint. Payton Conrad plays a huge role in ADM’s offense always finding the open man. Throughout the past couple of games, ADM has done a better job protecting the ball and not turning the ball over.

For the first time all year Kobe Hardcastle, a sophomore for ADM, got some minutes in the game. Hardcastle is a talented player who can play all over the court. ADM’s bench is going to be strong down the stretch with McCartney back and also with Jared Sapp coming back within a few weeks.

ADM had a scare late in the game. They were up by ten but 45 seconds later the lead dropped to only three. ADM seemed shocked but with all that experience they buckled down. Controlling the ball and making their free throws down the stretch helped secure the game for the Tigers. ADM defeated Boone 70-65.

Tajen Ross had 30 points, combined with Larson and Conrad the Tigers’ big three had 56 of the 70 points. Along with great defense and even better teamwork, the Tigers are finally taking off. They have a huge challenge at home vs the Dallas Center-Grimes’ Mustangs on Tuesday. The Mustangs have been a huge powerhouse early on in 3A but fell in their last two games–the Tigers look to pounce.