Slow start holds Greencastle back against Tri-West

The Greencastle boys’ basketball team could not overcome 16 first-half turnovers and a 19-point, seven-rebound performance from Tri-West sophomore Wes Ward as the Bruins handed the Cubs a 62-43 loss at McAnally Center Saturday night.

Tri-West took advantage of Tiger Cub miscues to explode out to a 12-0 lead behind a pair of three-pointers from Grant Oldham. Nathan Sutherlin and Cole Hutcheson each scored to get the Cubs on the board. The Bruins closed out the quarter with a pair of buckets though to take a 16-4 lead after one.

Turnovers would continue to plague Greencastle in the second quarter as Tri-West’s physical defense caused a lot of problems. Anthony Adams had a pair of baskets and Hutcheson added another to cut the lead to six, but the Bruins would continue to stretch it back out.

Ward, at 6’6”, was a matchup problem for Greencastle. The Bruins used a patient attack on offense, highlighted by eight assists in the first half. The Cubs stayed in contact though as Tri-West led 31-18 at the break.

“Our inability to handle their physicality and pressure really hurt us. We knew coming in it would be a struggle as we’re young and banged up. It’s really hard to come back against a team that’s that athletic and physical,” Greencastle head coach Bryce Rector said.

The Bruins put some distance in between the two teams in the third quarter. Landon Gardner came alive for eight points, including two three balls. The advantage got to as much as 19 points after a dunk from Ward, but there was no quit in the Tiger Cubs.

After a putback from Hutcheson, the lead was cut to 11 but Gardner’s second three closed out the third to give the Bruins a 44-30 lead.

Tri-West would continue to build on its lead and, to make matters worse, started getting to the foul line. The visitors would hit 7-of-10 from the charity stripe in the quarter and 10-of-13 for the game.

As a result, the Cubs could get no closer than 16 for the rest of the game. One bright spot for the Cubs was their offensive rebounding, winning the glass 18-17 on the night. The Bruins would go on for the 62-43 win.

“We have games coming up to hopefully get a win or two before the county tournament comes,” added coach Rector.

Hutcheson led the attack with 13 points and Adams added 10 for Greencastle. The Bruins had three in double figures with Ward leading the way with 19.

Greencastle will hit the road for its next two outings, traveling Thursday to Monrovia and Saturday to Brown County.

Team Stats

Individual Stats

Scoring - (G) Hutcheson 13, Adams 10, Sutherlin 6, Simmerman 4, Gooch 4, Dauhuff 2; (TW) Ward 19, Miller 11, Oldham 10, Gardner 8, Robertson 5, Cole 2

Rebounding - (G) Simmerman 7, Hutcheson 6, Adams 2, Gooch 2, three with 1; (TW) Ward 7, Robertson 4, Oldham 3, Miller 2, Gardner 2, Marti 2