Delph, Knepp doing their part to lead Central

Central's boys basketball team is enduring its first losing streak of the season. The Tigers suffered a second straight loss for the first time when they fell Tuesday night at home against Jackson.

And while the Tigers have lost three of five games since losing four starters due to injury and suspension, it is not due to lack of effort from seniors Ryan Delph and Jake Knepp. Playing alongside five players earmarked for the junior varsity team this season, Delph and Knepp combined for 34 of Central's 45 points on Tuesday.

"Ryan and Jake, right now they've had a lot of demand put on them the last four or five games," Central coach Derek McCord said.

Delph has averaged 22.4 points a game over the last five games. His 18-point effort against Jackson was his lowest in that stretch.

Delph said there was no question the two seniors would have to take on a greater burden after the team lost four starters.

"Being seniors, we've got to," he said. "We don't have any choice unless we want to lay down, and we don't want to do that."

In order for the Tigers to win down the stretch, Delph and Knepp will have to continue to step up their scoring. Central still has Charleston (17-1) and De Soto (19-2) left on its schedule, and will likely play Jackson in the district tournament.

"We don't have anything to lose," Delph said. "So we'll just go play hard and leave it all on the court."

Jackson 58, Central 45Jackson 17 15 12 14 -- 58

Central 6 13 12 14 -- 45

JACKSON (58) -- Eaton 1, Fiehler 2, Cardwell 6, Puisis 14, McNeely 16, Schafer 14, Beussink 5. FG 16, FT 17-26, F 17 (3-pointers: Cardwell 2, Beussink 1. Fouled out: none)

CENTRAL (45) -- Knepp 16, Reece 5, Delph 18, Ozbun 4, Edwards 2. FG 15, FT 12-18, F 20 (3-pointers: Knepp 1. Fouled out: none)

JV: Central 35, Jackson 33