Presley Griffitts drives the lane and gets the bucket for the Arrows. (Ward Moeller photos).

The key to any successful basketball team is getting off to a fast start. Set the tone for the game, and control from the tipoff throughout the game.

Tecumseh wanted to get control of their game early last week against Indian Lake, and they did just that.

In fact, they jumped out so fast they were one of the rare teams to score over 40 points in a quarter.

The Arrows blistered the Lakers to a 34-point first quarter lead, and never looked back blitzing Indian Lake 101-34 last week to head into Christmas with a lot of momentum.

“We were worried about being off a week and how we were going to respond tonight,” Tecumseh coach Danielle Thomas said. “I thought they came out on fire in the first quarter. They came out strong in the press.”

The Arrows sophomore trio of Corinne Thomas, Presley Griffitts and Mackenzie Pauley all put on an offensive show, including some scores that were set up off of their defense and pressure. Griffitts led the way with 31 points, while Thomas added 30 and Pauley netted 19.

Thomas came out and scored five points in the opening 45 seconds including one of her several three-point shots on the night. Griffitts then scored the next six points, and the Arrows led 11-0 less than two minutes into the game.

Two more three’s from Thomas and three consecutive baskets again from Griffitts was part of a 21-0 run for the Arrows to end the first period, and they posted a 41-7 lead after the first period. Thomas netted 15 points in the first eight minute period, while Griffitts had 14.

After Indian Lake scored the first time they had the ball 35 seconds in the second period, the Arrows again put together a run where they outscored the Lakers the rest of the half 21-1, as they separated themselves from the Lakers. Griffitts scored eight points in the second period, as the Arrows reeled off 12 points to end the half, and the Arrows were in complete control, leading 62-10 at the half.

“We used the second half to work on some things we haven’t worked on,” Thomas said, who also sat her starters to end each quarter, and the majority of the fourth period. “We came out in the second half in a 2-3 matchup and we haven’t hardly run that since Bianca (Quisenberry) played four years ago.”

“This team likes to attack and go at people.”

Griffitts recorded a triple-double in the win, adding 10 assists and 11 steals, while Thomas added eight assists and eight steals, while Griffitts added eight rebounds.

Tecumseh returns to action tomorrow night at Sidney at 7:30.

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