Knights get past GHS girls

Tuesday, December 19, 2006

By CAINE GARDNER, Sports Writer

"We've been playing well, we just can't get over that hump," coach Glenn Hile said.

On Monday the Greencastle girls' varsity basketball team were just 26 seconds away from recording their first win of the season, but great play from the Northview Knights and a questionable no call helped determine the outcome.

"We didn't do the wrong thing at the end of the game," Hile said after the contest.

The Tiger Cubs started the second half with a three-point lead and continued to attack the Knights.

Lauren Robertson, who led GHS with 14 points, got Greencastle's second half moving when she stole a pass and took it in for the hoop, giving the Tiger Cubs a five-point lead. Grace Fisher also scored early on a short jumper to give GHS an even larger lead.

Northview came rushing back, though, and tied the game at the end of the third, 30-all and looked to open the fourth and shut the Tiger Cubs down.

Greencastle regained the lead early when Olivia Miller grabbed a stray shot and put it up and in to give GHS a two-point lead. Then things got even more interesting.

The Knights took the lead with 6:32 remaining and decided to sit on the ball. As time slowly ticked away, the Greencastle fans were going crazy. Knowing that they were in jeopardy of letting Greencastle back in the game, the knights spread the floor.

As the crowd voiced their displeasure, one of the Northview players let a smile creep on her face and responded to the crowd. Too bad a fellow Knight had camped out in the lane for a three second violation giving the ball back to the Tiger Cubs.

Robertson drove to the bucket and hit a little runner to tie the game at 34-34. Northview got the lead back until Robertson hit a three-pointer and an inside jumper to give Greencastle a three-point lead.

Greencastle had a shot to win after the Knight took the lead with just under 40 seconds left.

Robertson received an in bound pass and rose to take the three. As she reached her release point, a Northview player seemed to make contact with her shooting arm and the shot fell short.

As the horn sounded, Northview had slipped past the Tiger Cubs and handed them a disappointing loss.

Greencastle started the game a little flat and let Northview jump out to a 13-7 lead at the end of one.

Greencastle's Cassie Alspaugh showed the Knights early on that Greencastle meant business. As one of the opposing players drove to the hoop, Alspaugh came from help-side and stuffed the ball out of bounds.

Becky Grivas started the GHS attack in the second quarter by hitting a shot and bringing the difference to within four.

At the three-minute mark, Greencastle ran off six unanswered points to take a three- point lead into the half.

Greencastle played with a lot of heart and determination but a win was not to be.

"These girls deserve to win," Hile said after the game.

"They've stayed with it. They're playing their guts out and I'm proud of them."

The JV game was won by Northview, 45-14.

Greencastle will next host Speedway Jan. 5 at 6 p.m.

At Greencastle

Northview (43) - Hayes 11, Sanders 5, Spring Raines 21, Stormi Raines 2, Plummer 0, Raderstorf 4, Crooks 0, Stearley. Totals FG 16 FT 7-10 TP 43

Greencastle (39) - Fisher 5, Robertson 14, Miller 9, Alspaugh 4, Grivas 7, Hennette 0. Totals FG 13 FT 7-17 TP 39

3-Pt. Shooting - Northview 4 (Hayes 2, Sanders, Spring Raines), Greencastle 2 (Fisher, Robertson)