Cascade defeats NP to claim seventh place

Saturday, January 27, 2018
Treyton Smith
Banner Graphic/JOEY BENNETT

BAINBRIDGE — A lack of patience against a zone defense, combined with a poor shooting night and a strong performance by Cascade’s Dalton DuBois put a damper on the North Putnam Winter Homecoming Friday night.

DuBois scored 28 points and pulled down 15 rebounds while leading the Cadets to a 58-44 win over the Cougars in the Western Indiana Conference Playoff Game.

Cascade finished seventh and the Cougars eighth in the final standings.

North Putnam was led by Caleb Duncan and Andrew Pickel with 11 points each and Treyton Smith with 10.

The Cougars shot just 29 percent (15-51) from the floor and committed 14 turnovers en route to their fourth straight loss. The Cougars hit just 6-of-27 shots from 3-point range.

“I think we took some quick outside shots without moving (the ball) and trying to get some inside touches. We got some inside touches, we just couldn’t get anything going,” North Putnam coach Collin McCartt said.

While taking 51 perimeter shots, the Cougars didn’t get to the foul line and that’s where the Cadets won the game. Cascade hit 18-of-26 free throws, compared to the Cougars’ 8-10. Both teams hit six three-pointers.

Some of North Putnam’s shots fell early. The Cougars took a 14-8 lead on the Cadets with a 10-0 run in the opening quarter. Elliot Gross, who was name Homecoming King in pre-game ceremonies, started the run with a two. Pickel hit a 3-pointer, then drove the line for another deuce. Caleb Duncan capped the run with a three from the baseline.

And Cascade changed defenses. Out with the man-to-man defense and in with a zone.

“I thought our man offense was pretty effective early. I don’t feel like I prepared us enough to see a zone,” McCartt said.

North Putnam hit 6-of-14 shots in the first quarter, but just 2-of-13 in the second. The Cougars stayed close with a solid defensive effort in the second period, holding the Cadets to 3-10 shooting. Cascade led 25-21 at halftime.

Gross hit two free throws to get the Cougars to within two, 25-23, to start the third period. North Putnam never got closer. Paced by seven points from DuBois the Cadets outscored the Cougars 15-10 in the third period.

“We struggled to stay in front of him. Dalton (DuBois) is a good player. We’re not able to be physical with him out front,” McCartt said.

Trailing 40-31 going into the final eight minutes, North Putnam cut the margin to five, 45-40, with four minutes to play on a Caleb Duncan bucket. But over the final 3:38 of the game, Cascade hit 10 of 13 free throws to ice the contest.

“I know our guys will bounce back and we’ll get ready for South Vermillion in a week,” McCartt said.

CASCADE (58) — Compliment 1-4 4-8 7, Stephenson 0-1 0-0 0, Dubois 10-22 6-9 28, Western 1-6 4-4 7, Phillips 2-2 1-2 6, Tharp 3-6 3-3 10, Burch 0-3 0-0 0, Hurst 0-4 0-0 0. Totals 17-46 FG, 18-26 FT, 558 TP.

NORTH PUTNAM (44) — Gross 2-6 4-4 8, Pickel 4-13 1-3 11, C. Duncan 4-11 0-0 11, Smith 4-12 1-1 10, J. Duncan 0-7 0-0 0,, Davies 0-0 2-2 2, Murray 1-2 0-0 2. Totals 15-51 FG, 8-10 FT, 44 TP.

Cascade 13 12 15 18 — 58

North Putnam 16 5 10 13 — 44

3Pt. FG: Cascade 6-14 (Dubois -4, Compliment 1-2, Tharp 1-2, Western 1-2, Phillips 1-1, Stephenson 0-1, Hurst 0-2), NP 6-27 (C. Duncan 3-10, Pickel 2-6, Smith 1-6, Murray 0-1, J. Duncan 0-4). Total fouls: Cascade 10, NP 22. Fouled out: Smith. Technical fouls: None. Turnovers: Cascade 12, NP 14. Rebounds: Cascade 40 (Dubois 15), NP 33 (Pickel 7, Gross, J. Duncan 6).

JV game: Cascade won 40-32.

Next game: North Putnam (5-11) travels to South Vermillion on Feb. 3.

Cascade (6-10) will host Speedway tonight.

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