NPHS girls slip by Turkey Run, 31-22

Wednesday, January 24, 2007
North Putnam's Carlye McGaughey battles with Turkey Run's Becky Harbison for a rebound during the Cougars' 31-22 win over the Warriors Tuesday.

By CAINE GARDNER

Sports Writer

BAINBRIDGE -- North Putnam's varsity girls' basketball squad outlasted Turkey Run, 31-22, at home Tuesday night.

Both teams had difficulty on the offensive end. North shot just 35 percent from the field but the Warriors had an even more difficult time, knocking down a lowly 17 percent of their shots.

Even with their shooting woes, coach Kevin Smith was happy with his team's play.

"I'm happy with the way we ended the game," coach Kevin Smith said.

The Cougars started the second half not exactly on fire. North's first scoring possession came with 1:11 on the clock in the third quarter when Carlye McGaughey hit two free throws and gave North a 21-14 lead.

The zone defense came up big in the third for the Cougars. North held Turkey Run to zero buckets in the quarter. The Warriors only managed seven shot attempts against the Cougars stifling defense.

The final quarter saw Brook Miller score four points in the span of a minute to take North's lead to 27-16. Shawna Johnston hit a basket and a free throw and gave the Cougars a nine-point lead. Miller went 1-of-4 from the line in the final minute but that was enough to give NPHS the victory.

"In a game like this you need to make smart decisions with the ball and not do something to jeopardize a possession," Smith commented on the close game.

Even though Smith was happy with the team's win, he was not content with the team's lack of rebounding.

"We never like to get out rebounded and we did. We played four guards in the second quarter due to foul trouble, but there are no excuses," Smith commented.

North jumped out to a six-point lead with Johnston scoring the first four points of the game then followed up by Miller with a driving bucket.

Johnston looked poised to be a dominate force early for the Cougars but picked up two early fouls and made her way to the bench.

North lost another inside player when Leah Crosby was hit with her second foul midway through the quarter.

North led the entire quarter but gave Turkey Run an opportunity as they fouled Tiffany Marshall with no time left on the clock. Luckily for the Cougars, she was unable to connect on either free throw, so the score remained 13-8 heading into the second period.

The second quarter saw each team score only six-points apiece with Shilah Kumaran and Miller draining a couple on long-range shots. North went into halftime with a 19-14 lead.

North's victory moves them to 5-12 on the season.

In junior varsity action, North Putnam smashed the Warriors, 38-13, with Ashley Stigall and Elsiana Crosby leading the way with 10 points each and Dakota Malayer chipping in seven points in the win.

North's varsity team will be in action Friday against Greencastle at 6 p.m.

At North Putnam

Turkey Run 22

North Putnam 31

North Putnam (31) -- Miller 10, Alles 6, L. Crosby 2, Johnston 7, McGaughey 3, Kumaran 3. Totals: FG 11-31 FT 7-12 TP 31.

Turkey Run (22) -- Doss 6, Patton 9, Marshall 6, Delp 1. Totals: FG 8-48 FT 5-12 TP 22.

3pt. shooting FG -- North Putnam 2 (Miller, Kumaran), Turkey Run 1 (Doss). Fouls -- North Putnam 11, Turkey Run 12.

Junior Varsity -- North Putnam won, 38-13.

Next game -- North's varsity team will be in action Friday against Greencastle at 6 p.m.

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