SP struggles at Owen Valley

Saturday, February 19, 2011

SPENCER -- The South Putnam Eagles traveled to Spencer Friday night to face the Owen Valley Patriots, trying to steal a win and spoil the Patriots' senior night.

The Patriots started out strong going on a 7-0 run to open the game, while the Eagles were looked sluggish.

Soon, Seth Hammond of South Putnam would end the drought with a three-point basket.

Owen Valley answered with a three-pointer of its own. The Eagles had trouble stopping the Patriots' offense, as they shot 62 percent from the field in the first quarter. The score after the first stanza was: OV 21, SP 8.

The Patriots picked up where they left off, starting out the second quarter strong, making a 9-0 run to make the score 24-8.

Once again, Hammond ended the Eagles' drought with a lay-up, and shortly after that, a three-point basket.

South Putnam forced a turnover and came up with another lay-up. That sequence of events made the score 24-15, with the Eagles on a 7-0 run.

Sensing the Eagles' comeback, Owen Valley stalled for the last 1:20 to hold for a last second shot. The score at halftime was Owen Valley 26, South Putnam 15.

The Patriots strong play continued in the third quarter as they started out on a 9-0 run making the score 35-15.

The Eagles' first field goal did not come until there was 3:39 left in the quarter. It seemed to be all Patriots, as they outscored SPHS 21-8 making the score 47-23 at the end of the quarter.

Despite their struggles, SPHS would not go away. They showed resilience in the fourth quarter.

However, turnovers and foul trouble plagued the Eagles, making the idea of a comeback less likely.

All night the Eagles seemed to be playing catch-up, as Owen Valley would go on a run and then the Eagles would have a subtle answer, followed by another short run by OVHS. By the end of the contest, the game of catch-up would prove to be fatal for the Eagles, as the deficit grew too large to overcome.

The final score was Owen Valley 59, South Putnam 38.

At Owen Valley

South Putnam 8 7 8 15 -- 38

Owen Valley 21 5 21 12 -- 59

Individual Statistics

SPHS -- Freeman 8, Hammond 8, Stanton 6, Varvel 5, Bumgardner 4, Arnold 2, Eickoff 2, Pell 1, Gibson 1, Franklin 1

OVHS -- Hight 15, Allen 14, Hoadley 13, J. Parker 9, D. Parker 3, Savage 2, Sparks 2, Gilstrap 1