Cougars beat Panthers to finish third in HHSB Tipoff Classic

North Putnam's Melanie Davies helped the Cougars get their first win of the season Saturday afternoon, scoring 13 points in the first half against Riverton Parke, as the hosts finished third in the Hoosier Heartland State Bank Tipoff Classic with a 54-24 win over the Panthers.

Banner Graphic/TRENT SCOTT

BAINBRIDGE – North Putnam hosted its Hoosier Heartland State Bank Tipoff Classic Saturday morning and afternoon, bringing Eminence, Riverton Parke and Shakamak in for two games to cap the first week of the girls’ basketball season.

The Cougars faced the Eels in the morning session, falling 48-44, before defeating the Panthers in the afternoon, winning a physical tussle 54-24. The Lakers won both of their games, defeating the Panthers in the morning 53-22 and the Eels 46-33 in the afternoon to win the event.

“We told the girls that, despite being early in the season, it was a must-win game for us,” North Putnam head coach Curtis Lawrence said about the victory over Riverton Parke. “We played well defensively Thursday against North Vermillion and played well against Eminence, outside of getting down 12-2, but couldn’t get over the hump.

“Getting the first win was important and we’re proud of the girls and their effort.”

North Putnam struggled to handle the size of Eminence’s Sophia Saucerman down low while wing Natalie Hubbard added a deep threat as both players went for 15 points in the opener.

The Cougars trailed 22-13 at halftime before cutting into the lead in the third quarter behind threes from Addi Osburn, Hailee Daigle and Jasmine Duvall, reducing the gap to 31-28.

Hubbard and Bella Dittemore hit threes early in the fourth quarter while the Eels were able to counter a 10-point quarter from Duvall at the line, knocking down 7-of-12 free throws to see out the win.

Game two saw North Putnam and Riverton Parke engage in a foul-laden battle in the first half, the two teams combining for 30 fouls and 35 free throw attempts in 16 minutes.

The Panthers started the game with baskets from Haley Mathas and Corinne Loomis for a 4-0 lead, the high point for the visitors for the afternoon.

Rose Haste got the hosts on the board with two free throws before Melanie Davies scored the next seven points to push the Cougars ahead 9-4.

Davies added another basket and a free throw later in the quarter to make it nine points in the period with a Jenna Day three helping the home team to a 15-7 lead after eight minutes.

“We told the girls we needed to start getting more paint touches and the girls took that to heart against Riverton Parke,” Lawrence said about getting 15 fouls shots in the opening quarter. “We were able to get the ball inside and either got fouled or got kickouts.

“Our offense works a whole lot better when we get the ball inside.”

Haste scored to start the second quarter while Osburn added a three to make it 20-7.

Davies added two more free throws around a Lexi Daigle basket to increase the lead to 27-9 before free throws from Savannah Burleson and Jaylynn Nelson, along with a steal and score from Mallory Cash, pulled the Panthers back to within 12.

Lexi Daigle finished the half with two free throws and a jumper as North Putnam led 31-15 at the break with six players sitting on three fouls.

“We were able to get ball pressure, which affected them a little bit,” Lawrence said about the 16-point lead at the break. “(Riverton Parke) was missing a couple of its better players today but we hustled to get back on defense and got pressure on its shots.”

The Cougar defense left little room for the visitors to make a comeback, allowing a total of nine points in the second half and no two-point field goals.

North Putnam started the second half on a 10-0 run as Lexi Daigle hit four free throws and converted a three-point play around a Haste three.

Day and Davies added free throws as the teams combined for another 15 foul attempts in the period, bringing the total to 50 for the game.

Mathas hit a free throw and three while Jacee Stonebreaker added two more free throws for the Riverton Parke scoring in the period.

The hosts flirted with the running clock in the final quarter as Haste hit a three while Osburn and Day added baskets but claimed a 30-point victory in the end.

Consolation Game

Scoring

Riverton Parke (5-29 2FG; 2-14 3FG; 8-16 FT) — Mathas 8, Nelson 6, Burleson 4, Stonebreaker 2, Cash 2, Loomis 2

North Putnam (9-32 2FG; 5-23 3FG; 21-34 FT) — Davies 15, L. Daigle 14, Haste 10, Day 7, Oburn 3, Mason 3, Hackleman 2

Statistics

Game One

Scoring

Eminence (11 2FG; 6 3FG; 8-16 FT — Sauerman 15, Hubbard 15, B. Dittemore 8, Myers 5, A. Dittemore 3, Eisenhour 2

North Putnam (9 2FG; 8 3FG; 2-8 FT) — Duvall 22, Osburn 8, Haste 6, Mason 4, H, Daigle 3, Davies 1