SP eighth-graders top North Clay

South Putnam hosted North Clay in eighth-grade boys’ basketball on Wednesday.

The Eagles won the “A” game 25-22, and North Clay won the “B” game 23-7.

“The ‘A’ team played a much-improved game,” coach Scott Fosdick said.

The Eagles trailed at the end of the first quarter 4-2, but went on a 9-2 run behind a five-point second quarter by Clay Cash to lead at 11-6 at halftime.

The Knights came out with a fury in the third quarter, forcing the Eagles into multiple turnovers that gave them the advantage at 18-16 going into the fourth quarter.

“The Eagles played with a much-needed toughness in the quarter by outrebounding the Knights and forcing them into five costly turnovers,” coach Fosdick said.

The Eagles shot 57 percent from the charity stripe in the quarter to seal the win down the stretch.

The Eagles were led in scoring by Cash and Eli Smith with nine points, followed by Matthew Goodpaster with four, Lane Robinson with two and one point from Santi Hernandez on a key free throw.

Smith had seven rebounds and Goodpaster had five rebounds and two steals.

In the “B” game, the Eagles were led in scoring by Andrew Gilliland with four points and Sam Hayden with two.

The Eagles will look to keep improving their record with a home contest Monday, when they host Turkey Run at 6 p.m.