Cloverdale advances to final with victory over Cascade

Thursday, December 30, 2010
Cloverdale's Josh Burdette puts up a shot against a Cascade defender Wednesday.

GREENCASTLE -- Wednesday night's opening round match-up of the South Putnam Boys Basketball Holiday Tournament went down to the final seconds, with Cloverdale coming out on top 53-49 over Cascade.

The two teams flip flopped the lead throughout the game, but the Clovers outscored the Cadets 20-13 in the final period to come away with the win.

With the win the Clovers will face North Vermillion tonight in the championship game of the tournament, which will start 20 minutes after the completion of the consolation game.

Going into the fourth quarter the Clovers trailed 33-36 after Cascade junior Josh Daugherty hit a three at the buzzer. With 2:53 left in the game though the Clovers had rallied back to control a six point lead 47-41.

In the remaining 2:53 the Cadets got as close as one point when JT Thomas hit a three.

In the final minute Cloverdale junior Joe Fidler went to the line two times and knocked down all four shots to propel the Clovers to the win.

"This was probably our best game of the year," said Cloverdale coach Pat Rady. "It was a great team win."

Six of the seven Clovers that saw action in the game scored, with three of them scoring in double figures. Leading the way was juniors Fidler and Mitch Williams with 14. Junior Jordan Hayden had 10 points.

"We had balance scoring," said Rady.

Rady was especially pleased with the teams defensive effort. He was also pleased with the way his team took care of the ball turning it over less than 10 times on the night.

"We played good zone and man to man defense," he said.

The Clovers will have a repeat meeting with the Cadets Jan. 14 as they play each other in conference action.

"They are a good ball team," said Rady. "They are very quick."

At South Putnam

Cloverdale 9 13 11 20 --53

Cascade 13 13 10 13 -- 49

Individual Scoring

Cloverdale -- Fidler 14, Williams 14, Hayden 10, Brudette 7, Skiles 6, Sciscey 2. Totals: 21-40 FG; 1-5 3PTS; 10-16 FT; 53 TP.

Cascade -- Hopper 16, Daugherty 13, Thomas 7, Arthur 5, Baldwin 4, Dunn 2, Bemis 2. Totals: 19-43 FG; 4-7 3PTS; 7-13 FT; 49 TP.