West Lafayette Jr-Sr High School

In the opening game of the Covington Invitational, West Lafayette’s 7th grade boys basketball team earned a hard-fought 37–34 victory over Otter Creek in Terre Haute, pulling out the win with a strong second-half effort and timely defensive plays. The Red Devils opened the game with balanced scoring and energetic ball pressure, but they went cold in the second quarter going into the half down 14-11. West Lafayette did not flinch as they regrouped at halftime and came out with energy. The team scored 12 points in the third quarter. Ryne Ehmke led all scorers with 16 points behind four 3's and knocking down two free throws with 4.2 seconds left to seal the victory. Kendall Williamson hauled in 10 rebounds and Jack Strode finished a solid performance with 6 rebounds, 2 steals and a pair of assists. This victory put the Red Devils in the Championship game vs host Covington. The Championship was set in the Covington Middle School gym that brings you back to the 1950's when high school basketball was King in Indiana with built in bleachers and the feel of nostalgia. West Lafayette's full court pressure defense frustrated Covington as they turned it over 13 times. Parker Strode led the way with relentless pressure ending the game with 5 steals, 4 rebounds, 1 block and 5 assists. Ben Feldmeyer and Hank Andrew grabbed 4 and 3 offensive rebounds respectively giving the Red Devils extra opportunities. Kendall Williamson finished with a team high 11 points but none were bigger than the game winning three he buried under 10 seconds left with the game tied. Congratulations to the Red Devil 7th and 8th grade boys for sweeping the Covington Invitational, bringing two trophies home to West Lafayette. West Lafayette 7th A and B teams are back in action Tuesday at Klondike.