Tiger Cubs overpower Patriots for win

Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Greencastle senior Kyle Nobles (52) fires up a left-handed shot against Owen Valley's Cody Vest Tuesday. Nobles scored nine points in the Tiger Cubs' 47-45 win.

On Tuesday, the Greencastle Tiger Cubs did something they haven't done in at least 15 years -- defeat the Patriots of Owen Valley. The Tiger Cubs held on for a 47-45 win after a third quarter barrage by Owen Valley and moved to 8-11 on the season.

The game came down to the wire and if Tuesday was any indication, the first game of the South Vermillion Sectional is going to be something to see.

"We did enough to win it," GHS head coach Troy Greenlee said. "I thought one big key was that we only had one turnover in the second half and that's been something we've been fighting lately is just not turning the ball over."

The teams entered the half locked at 17-all after a slow burn of a first half, but in the third quarter, things began to heat up.

Greencastle balanced their 18-point quarter with shots coming from inside, outside and at the line, but it was their nemeses' prowess from long-range that made the game competitive. Owen Valley went 0-for-2 at the line and converted only one two-point bucket in the quarter. A team can do that when they knock down 5-for-5 from three-point range. Even with the bombs finding their mark, GHS held a one-point advantage, 35-34, going into the final quarter.

"I knew they were pretty good," Greenlee commented. "It was an odd game. You think they're going to miss some of those threes and they didn't. It seemed like they hit every shot they took there for a while. But again, our kids responded and did enough to win it -- I'm proud of them."

The teams went back and forth in the final quarter and with all the dazzling threes raining down from both teams, it came down to boring, fundamental free-throws to give Greencastle their third-straight win.

Senior Ashton Marshall poured in 12 of his game-high 17 points in the second half, including going 6-of-8 at the line in the fourth quarter to seal the win for GHS. Teammate Wade Huber also scored in double digits with 13 points, nine of which came from long range.

Greencastle's Kyle Nobles powered his way inside and provided nine essential points for the Tiger Cubs. Fellow big man Nick Hutcheson added four and Kyle Harlan and Jordan Hickam chipped in two points each.

Senior Justin Bartrum failed to score in the contest, but snagged a pass in the Patriots' lane with three seconds left, nullifying any legitimate shot the Patriots had at a tie.

"I've got to give our kids credit for hanging in there and getting enough shots when we needed to and defending them well enough to win," Greenlee commended. "It was a good win for us. We know they're going to use this as a little motivation for next week for sectional, but we'll take care of that when it comes."

The Tiger Cubs and Owen Valley will battle in the first game of next Wednesday's action at the Class 2A South Vermillion Sectional at 6 p.m.

Greencastle will go for their fourth consecutive win Friday against North Vermillion, with the junior varsity tipping at 6 p.m.

At Greencastle

Owen Valley 6 11 17 10 -- 45

Greencastle 8 9 18 12 -- 47

Owen Valley -- Christenberry 10, Lientz 9, Collier 8, Vest 7, Hollows 4, Gobert 4, Herbert 3. Totals: 17-33 FG 2-9 FT 45 TP.

Greencastle -- Marshall 17, Huber 13, Nobles 9, Hutcheson 4, Harlan 2, Hickam 2. Totals: 16-7 FG 9-14 FT 47 TP.

3pt. FG -- OV 9 (Lientz 3, Collier 2, Christenberry 2, Vest, Herbert), GHS 4 (Huber 3, Marshall)

Next game -- Greencastle will go for their fourth consecutive win Friday against North Vermillion, with the junior varsity tipping at 6 p.m.