Two evenly matched teams battled each other in boys' varsity high school basketball action last Tuesday, February 14 at Hitchcock- Tulare. But the hosts would eventually defeat Ipswich 43-36.

Ipswich had narrowly won the opening quarter 11-9 and expanded that to a 27-19 halftime edge. So this was sort of a classic case of a tale of two halves. That's because the hosts weren't quite ready to shut off the gym lights. They indeed closed to within four points, 32-28, with a quarter to play and would then hold Ipswich to only four points in that decisive stanza.

The Patriots were led by TJ Salmen with 15 points, followed by Erik Salmen with his 10 points. Jackson Maynard added six points, Carter Binger five points, Landon Puffer four points and Brendan Nowell three points.

Ipswich responded with 11 points from Trevor Heinz that included two treys. Chet Peterson added nine points including one three-ball. Next was Ian Beyers with eight points that featured two treys. Colby Sylte scored four points with a lone trey and Carter Geditz also netted four points.

The Tigers finished with a total of 14 field goals that included that six treys, but were only 2-8 at the free throw line. The Patriots answered with four accurate treys and 14 total floor shots. They did some damage at the free throw stripe, though, finishing 11-17 there.