Cubs have streak snapped at No. 4 Tri-West

Sunday, January 28, 2018

LIZTON - The Greencastle Tiger Cubs had the unfortunate scheduling of playing the Class 3A No. 4-ranked Tri-West Bruins less than 24 hours after picking up a tough, hard-fought win against Western Indiana Conference foe, Indian Creek.

Tri-West used a pressing defense and solid shooting to pick up its 13th win against just two losses with a 62-46 triumph, while the Cubs fell to 10-5 on the season.

“Tri-West is a really, really solid team. I didn’t think we did a particularly good job handling their press and we didn’t shoot the ball well,” Greencastle head coach Bryce Rector said.

Tri-West used strong second and third quarters to limit the Cubs. Greencastle had 10 of its 15 turnovers in those two periods to allow the Bruins to take a tie ballgame and stretch it to 25-point lead going into the final quarter.

The Bruins also shot over 50 percent from the floor in those two periods. Offensively, Greencastle didn’t shoot the ball well over the first three stanzas. The Cubs hit just 9 of 31 during that time.

The two teams battled to 9-9 tie in the opening quarter. Gavin Bollman hit two free throws to open the scoring. Colin York scored five points in a row, followed by a Bollman layup. The Tiger Cubs kept the explosive Bruins in check with the exception of Tyler Watson. The Marian-bound senior scored all nine of his team's points en route to a game-high 24 points.

The Bruins used a 9-0 run to open the second period and put some distance between them and the Tiger Cubs. Greencastle had five turnovers in the quarter and struggled to stop the Bruins. Tri-West got bench production as Bryce Miller hit two three-pointers and Lucas Goodin added another as they stretched their lead to 27-18 at the half. Brody Whitaker hit a three and Benton Parmley hit another to keep the Cubs in the game.

“We missed some shots in the first half that were big momentum swings. If we hit a couple of those, then the game could have been different,” Rector said.

Tri-West exploded in the third quarter. The Bruins hit 9 of 15 shots and opened the second half with a 20-2 run to put the game away. Greencastle committed another five turnovers and Tri-West was able to convert a number of transition layups during the run. Greencastle was only able to muster seven points in the quarter and found itself down 50-25 entering the fourth quarter.

“We committed a few turnovers, but there is a reason they are 13-2,” Rector said.

Greencastle was able to stay in the game in the fourth quarter. The Cubs were able to cut the lead to 14 points at 58-44 with 2:20 left to play, but the Bruin defense kept them from closing any closer. York and Bollman each had five points in the Cubs' most productive quarter. Greencastle was able score 21 points on 8 of 15 shooting in the period.

Jared Kiefer added 14 for the Bruins in support of Watson. Greencastle had balanced scoring with Bollman leading the way with 14 points and 14 rebounds.

“We won the rebounding battle tonight (31-25). Gavin (Bollman) played well, he had another double-double. I am really happy with the output he had tonight,” Rector said.

Whitaker had 12 points on the night and York chipped in with 10.

Greencastle will host the Monrovia Bulldogs on Thursday and then host WIC opponent Brown County on Saturday afternoon.

GREENCASTLE (46) – C. York 4-13 0-0 10 Whitaker 5-12 1-3 12, A. York 0-0 0-0 0, Hutcheson 1-2 2-2 4, Bollman 5-11 3-3 14, Parmley 2-7 0-0 6, Wood 0-1 0-0 0, Sutherlin 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 17-46 FG, 6-8 FT, 46 TP.

TRI-WEST (62) – Kiefer 6-7 2-4 14, VanSlyke 2-5 0-0 4, Fulton 0-1 1-2 1 Blake 2-9 0-0 4, Watson 10-16 2-2 24, Goodin 1-4 3-4 6, Miller 3-6 0-0 9, Robertson 0-1 0-0 0, Wolfe 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 24-49 FG, 8-12 FT, 62 TP.

Greencastle 9 9 7 21 — 46
Tri-West 9 18 23 12 — 62

3-Point Shooting — GHS 6-20 (York 2-7, Whitaker 1-5, Bollman 1-1, Parmley 2-7), TW 6-16 (VanSlyke 0-1, Blake 0-2, Watson 2-4, Goodin 1-3, Miller 3-5, Robertson 0-1). Rebounds – GHS 31 (Whitaker 4, A. York 2, Hutcheson 4, Bollman 14, Wood 1, Parmley 3, Sutherlin 1) TW – 25 (Kiefer 3, VanSlyke 2,

Fulton 4, Blake 2, Watson 5, Goodin 4, Miller 1, Robertson 2, Wolfe 1) FG Pct. – GHS 37.0, TW 49.0. FT Pct. – GHS 75.0, TW 66.7. Turnovers – GHS 15, TW 5.

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