Greencastle opens season with thrilling win

The Greencastle girls' basketball team opened its season against the Cascade Cadets on Friday night. It was an exciting battle that the hosts won after a Cascade shot missed at the buzzer, 54-51.

"For being the first game of the year I was super happy with our effort," Greencastle coach Bradley Key said. "I thought they came out and gave great effort."

Greencastle handled the Cascade offense well in the first half only allowing 18 points but they also struggled a bit on the offensive end only scoring 21.

Defensively, Greencastle played great, forcing 16 turnovers in the first half to make it seem as if they would be able to run away with the game based on defense alone.

But that was not the case as Cascade scored 13 in the third quarter while Greencastle only scored seven giving the visitors a 31-28 lead going to the final period.

Seniors Paige Bragg, Beth Burgeson and Allison White rallied the team together and led the team in a fourth quarter shootout.

"This group has been fun to watch from junior varsity all the way to varsity," Key said. "I thought Allison White played absolutely amazing. Paige did a great job while she was in a position that she had never been in before and Beth knocked down some threes early on. I am happy with our seniors."

A total of 56 points were scored in the fourth as the fast paced action ensued. Players were draining 3-pointers from all over, there was a total of seven made.

The Tiger Cubs started out fast, scoring the first five points of the period and then trading buckets with Cascade twice down the court.

Greencastle went on a 9-0 run and made it seem as if the game was over, but Cascade answered with a 10-3 run to make it 50-49.

With under a minute left, Cascade had to foul to get the ball back and sent Bragg to the line where she made both. After a made basket and trailing 52-51, Cascade fouled freshman Aubrey Barker.

"I was really impressed with Aubrey," Key said. "She came in and I think she helped us, she handled the ball really well."

Barker went to the line and with poise not seen in many freshmen, made both and Cascade's last chance 3-pointer just barely missed to allow the Tiger Cubs some relief and the win.

"We think we can compete for county and we think we can compete for conference," Key said. "Cascade is a good team they did not lose much from last year and I think we can compete. We want to enjoy the ride and get better as a team."

At Greencastle

Cascade 6 12 13 20 - 51

Greencastle 13 8 7 26 - 54

SCORING

Cascade (51): Collier 4-14 1-2 13, Walker 5-7 2-4 12, O. Bryant 4-11 2-4 11, Stinnett 4-9 0-0 9, E. Bryant 2-5 0-1 4, Bell 1-3 0-0 2, Rasnake 0-2 0-0 0. Totals: 20-51 (6-21) 5-11, 51.

Greencastle (54): White 7-9 2-2 17, Bragg 3-11 3-5 11, Burgeson 3-6 0-0 9, Ray 3-6 1-1 7, Smith 2-8 0-0 5, Barker 1-8 2-2 4, Stevens 0-3 1-2 1. Total: 19-51 (7-19) 9-12, 54.

REBOUNDING (Total-offensive)

Cascade (31-11): Stinnett 7-3, Walker 6-2, E. Bryant 5-3, Collier 4-1, O. Bryant 3-2, Batts 1-0, Cleveland 1-0, Rasnake 1-0.

Greencastle (34-13): White 8-3, Barker 4-1, Bragg 4-1, Burgeson 4-1, Smith 3-1, Stevens 2-2, Ray 2-0.

Assists: CHS 8 (Bell 4), GHS 10 (Bragg 3). Steals: CHS 13 (Collier 4), GHS 11 (Bragg 5). Blocks: CHS 1 (O. Bryant, GHS 0.

Turnovers: CHS 25 ,GHS 23.