Bath Middle School was the scene for the season opener for the 2007 eighth grade Tripp Tiger basketball squad. The Tigers stood at mid-court jumping up and down. The stadium thundered as the Tigers yelled, getting pumped for the game. “One, Two, Three. TIGERS!” They broke the huddle and the starters walked onto the court. Tim Dow would start at point, Tyler

Walton at shooting guard, Jackson Griffin at the small forward, Zach Jones at power forward and Greg Lake at the center position. The tip went to the Tigers and Tim Dow set up the offense. The Tigers couldn’t score on their first position and when Bath got the ball they failed to score, also. No one scored for the first two minutes. It was the Tigers who drew first blood, scoring on a lay up. As the first quarter began to dwindle Kyle Bernier, Tom Hite and Jared Richardson got into the game. Bath and Tripp battled, each team giving it every thing that they had. When the first quarter came to an end the Tigers held a 8-5 lead.

As the second quarter began, the Tigers began to pull away. Richardson, Dow and Walton all scored on lay-ups. Tripp was leading 14-8 and they were looking strong. Midway through the second quarter Bath came alive, going on a 7-0 run. The Tigers played sloppy and were letting the Shipbuilders control the game. When the first half came to a close the Bath Shipbuilders held a 17-15 lead. The Tigers walked over to their corner disappointed that they had let the lead get away from them. Coach Callahan talked to the team, trying to motivate them.

As the second half started Bath smothered the Tigers. The Shipbuilders were hitting a lot of outside shots. Meanwhile the Tigers didn’t score until the end of the third quarter. Tyler Walton ended up scoring a lay up and making two free throws. Bath were one quarter away from winning with a 28-19 lead. As the first quarter began the Tigers started to make a come back. Walton couldn’t miss a shot and he had lead the Tigers back in the game. With two minutes left to go Tripp put on a press. Bath was confused and forced a lot of turn cover’s. There was a minute left and Tripp was down by one, 30-29. Once again Tyler Walton came up big with a another lay up. Tripp held the lead by one. Bath threw a pass and Tim Dow stepped in front of it. He rushed down the court and the Tripp coach, Mr.Callahan yelled at him to run the clock down. Dow was already shooting and the ball sailed through the air. Swish! Tim Dow had put the Tigers up by three. Bath got one more chance with 3 seconds left. Bath set a screen and a guy got open. As the clock expired Bath chucked up a three. The ball rimed out! Tripp had won, 33-30. The crowd thundered and the Tigers celebrated at mid-court. It had been a great game with a fantastic ending.