Cougars fall for sixth time

Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Sports Writer

On Tuesday night, teams were raining three-pointers at North Putnam, but unfortunately, those shots were coming from the Speedway Sparkplugs, as the Cougars boys' team was defeated, 69-57, falling to 7-7 on the season.

North controlled the tip, but the Sparkplugs jumped out to a four-point lead. Griffen Dahlstrom got the Cougars on the board with seven minutes remaining.

Jake Mullis, who led the team with 19 points, scored four quick points to take the score to 9-6 in favor of Speedway. The Cougars watched as Speedway ran off six points to take the lead to 19-8 with the quarter closing. Mullis fed Max Schreiber who nailed the bucket with no time remaining to bring the Cougars to within nine points.

North had a good third quarter, scoring 15 points, but Speedway kept in stride scoring 18 in the quarter.

Adam Walton was Speedway's rainmaker. He connected on seven three-pointers on the evening, including three in the quarter.

Brian Blaydes got the Cougars going scoring its first four points in the second half. Griffen Dahlstrom drove hard to the hoop to score and followed it with another bucket off a feed form Mullis. Mullis scored late in the quarter, followed by Blaydes.

Blaydes also showed great tenacity after missing a three-point attempt, collecting his own rebound twice, and putting the ball up-and-in.

As the fourth opened, Mullis and Griffen Dahlstrom scored early and led a Cougar charge along with Zack Hendrick and Tyler Trent to pull North within 11points. But Speedway had too many weapons as Kyle Linville scored and Walton drained another three-pointer to keep the Sparkplugs in front to gain the win.

Brayden Dahlstrom hit a three-pointer with 15 seconds remaining but North walked away with a 12-point loss.

Despite the loss, North played good defense and had some great individual plays. Trent scored on a slashing drive to the bucket in the second quarter and Griffen Dahlstrom scored on a great post move, faking twice before going up strong.

North Putnam will travel to face outh Putnam Friday at 7:30 p.m.

At North Putnam

Speedway 69 North Putnam 57

Speedway (69) -- Linville 8, Dial 16, Prior 10, Dunbar 8, Walton 21, Watts 6. Totals: FG 26-36 FT 6-7 TP 69.

North Putnam (57) -- Mullis 19, Blaydes 11, Trent 7, G. Dahlstrom 11, B. Dahlstrom 3, Hendrick 4, Schreiber 2. Totals: FG 25-49 FT 3-6 TP 57.

3pt. FG -- Speedway 9 (Walton 7, Dial 2), North Putnam 4 (Blaydes, Mullis, Trent, B. Dahlstrom).

Next game -- North Putnam will travel to face South Putnam Friday at 7:30 p.m.

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