CHS shoots lights out in win over Cougars

Friday, January 19, 2007

Assistant Editor

The goal must have looked 20-feet wide for the Cloverdale High School boys' basketball team Friday.

The Clovers shot 35-of-57 from the field Friday in their 81-46 victory over North Putnam, improving to 9-4 overall this season, including 3-1 in the West Central Conference.

Cloverdale was 22-of-28 from the field in the first half in the victory.

"We were trying to get in the transition game," CHS coach Pat Rady said. "We've been playing that well lately. We're trying to be aggressive on both offense and defense."

The loss dropped North Putnam to 7-4 this season, including 1-2 in conference play.

NPHS coach Wes Peek said the Clovers were just too athletic for his team.

"They really controlled the pace," Peek said. "Their athleticism hurt us."

Cloverdale went on a 6-0 run midway through the first quarter to take a 14-5 lead before the Cougars scored seven straight to pull within two.

However, Cloverdale managed to maintain a 20-14 lead heading into the second quarter.

Peek pointed to a last-second jumper by Kevin Gregg at the conclusion of the first period that shifted momentum in the Clovers' favor.

"Those are big plays," Peek said.

North Putnam stayed within striking distance throughout much of the second period before the Clovers went on a 9-0 run to take a 39-21 lead with just under three minutes remaining before the half.

Cloverdale extended its lead to 16, 46-30, heading into the locker room at halftime.

The Cougars stayed close through the third period as Cloverdale only had 15 points compared to North Putnam's 11.

But it was the final quarter where Cloverdale's offense took control.

Following a bucket by North Putnam's Kyle Alcorn, the Clovers proceeded to score the game's next 16 points while limiting the Cougars to only five points in the period.

The Clovers pushed their lead to 30 with 4:21 left in regulation.

"We hd some great ball movement," Rady said. "The ball had eyes.

"We knew we had to have an exceptional game. We had to play 32 minutes."

Christian Cheatham led the Clovers with 17 points on 8-for-12 shooting. Michael Neese also had 14 points, six rebounds, six assists and four steals.

In addition, Craig Blair added 16 points, five assists and four steals while Seth Trinkle tallied 14 points, four assists and four steals.

Jake Mullis had 17 points to lead North Putnam while Griffen Dahlstrom had 10 points and 11 boards.

North Putnam had an advantage on the glass, outrebounding Cloverdale 27-21.

Peek said the Cougars will regroup prior to Friday's home game against Greencastle.

"We're going to focus our attention to Greencastle," Peek said.

The Clovers will face North Central at home today.

At Cloverdale

North Putnam 14 16 11 5 -- 46

Cloverdale 20 26 15 20 -- 81

North Putnam -- Mullis 7-15 1-3 17, G. Dahlstrom 4-7 2-5 10, Hedrick 1-4 0-2 2, B. Dahlstrom 2-5 0-0 4, Trent 1-2 1-2 3, Blaydes 2-7 0-0 5, Alcorn 1-2 0-0 2, Young 1-4 0-0 3, Dean 0-1 0-0 0, Adams 0-0 0-0 0, Jones 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 19-48 FG, 4-12 FT, 46 TP.

Cloverdale -- Neese 5-8 3-3 14, Blair 6-12 4-5 16, Dean 2-4 2-3 6, Trinkle 6-11 2-4 14, Cheatham 8-12 1-1 17, Shoulders 5-5 0-0 10, Gregg 2-4 0-0 4, Hacker 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 35-57 FG, 12-16 FT, 81 TP.

3-pt. FG -- NPHS 4-13 (Mullis 2-4), CHS 1-8 (Neese 1-2). Rebounds -- NPHS 27 (G. Dahlstrom 11), CHS 21 (Neese 6). Blocks -- NPHS 3 (Blaydes 2), CHS 2 (Dean, Cheatham). Assists -- NPHS 5 (B. Dahlstrom, Alcorn 2), CHS 16 (Neese 6). Steals -- NPHS 2 (Mullis, B. Dahlstrom), CHS 15 (Neese, Blair, Trinkle 4). Total Fouls -- NPHS 19, CHS 16. Fouled Out -- Mullis, B. Dahlstrom (NPHS). Turnovers -- NPHS 25, CHS 19.

Next Games -- The Clovers (9-4, 3-1) face North Central at home today. North Putnam (7-4, 1-2) take on Greencastle at home Friday.

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