SP crushed by Cadets in WCC opener

South Putnam senior Amanda Barnes drives through a Cascade defender on her way to the basket. Barnes led the Eagles with 11 points and 11 rebounds in the loss at Cascade. (Banner Graphic/TRENT SCOTT)

CLAYTON -- Bad weather arrived at Cascade High School around the time the girls' basketball game started Friday night.

At the same time, a worse storm was brewing for South Putnam as the Cadets pressed and shot the lights out early and often in an 80-27 rout of the Eagles.

South Putnam head coach Bill Merkel said that Cascade's defense threw the squad off their game.

"We've had problems all year handling the press," Merkel said. "When they get pressed, the girls panic and forget what they're trying to do offensively and defensively.

"Until we get over that, we're going to struggle against teams. We've got to recognize things we see in practice and make them happen on the court"

Cascade made life difficult over the course of the game defensively, creating 28 steals and 42 total Eagle turnovers.

The Cadets wasted little time making things happen in the early going, opening up with runs of 7-0 and 14-0, sandwiching baskets by Olivia Arnold and Emily Dobson, to create a 23-4 lead.

Aided by six 3-pointers, three of which came from Audra Smallwood in the quarter, Cascade held a 31-6 lead after eight minutes of play.

Merkel added that the Cadet offense compounded the problems for his squad.

"(Cascade) came out and they couldn't miss," Merkel said. "I couldn't believe how well they shot tonight.

"Our concentration was on stopping (Sydney) Stein but when they shot like they did from the outside it was lights out for us."

Stein scored eight unanswered points for Cascade to open the second frame before Aubrey Nichols scored the Eagle's first basket of quarter.

South Putnam was limited to eight points over the final four minutes of the period but only replied with four Amanda Barnes free throws.

The Eagle offense continued to struggle in the third quarter with only Nichols and Katie Hewitt scoring in the frame, but the team finally hit double-figures in the final period. Barnes led South Putnam with five while Nichols, Dobson and Jessica Modglin chipped in two points apiece, but the team finished the game still looking for their second win of the season.

Barnes led the squad with 11 points and 11 rebounds in the game, while Nichols added seven points and seven rebounds and Dobson chipped in four points.

Merkel said that things would not get any easier when the squad travels to play Owen Valley next Tuesday.

"(Owen Valley) is another team that will come out and trap us," Merkel said. "They've got a good little guard and a decent inside player, but hopefully they won't be shooting like Cascade did tonight.

"We'll get a practice in Monday if we can get in then. We've got to keep our heads up until the holidays and then see what kind of things we can change."