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Tiger Cubs top Cougars in opening round
GREENCASTLE --North Putnam executed the gameplan they entered Friday night's contest against Greencastle to perfection. They kept the Tiger Cubs' scoring threat under wraps for three quarters and played the intense style of play they're known for.
Unfortunately for the Cougars, the fourth quarter was where the game was decided and it came out in favor of the Tiger Cubs 50-39.
Through three quarters, Greencastle clutched to a slim 30-22 lead and their leading scorer, Mallory Miller, had just eight points on the night. In the fourth quarter, the junior guard came alive and scored 15 points, including 12 straight for the Tiger Cubs to put the game out of reach.
Greencastle held a lead, but they found the rim unkind for most of the game and that's something they haven't dealt with a lot this season, according to head coach Brad Key.
"We didn't really knock down a lot of shots," he said. "The last couple games, we hit some threes and got us rolling and got the momentum. Today, none of those were falling. Then they're scrappy -- they'll take you out of your game, just like we thought they might. They did what we thought they were going to do and we were able to keep just enough ahead of them.
"It was a good pressure win. We had one against Brown County not too long ago, but this is a little different. It was good to have Alyssa (Nichols) break the press a couple times and get Mallory (Miller) open. It was another team win," Key commented.
The Cougars also struggled from the field on the night, but head coach Jim Brothers pointed out the need to rebound better as something the Cougars are going to need to focus on as well.
"I think offensively, just hit some shots. We had some open looks at the basket and we need to convert," he explained. "Our effort was good. Our effort was good throughout the game and we really did what we wanted to do against them.
"We need to rebound better and we didn't block out as well as I would have liked to," he continued. "Those are things you have to get better at. We thought we had some things taken care of. I was much more pleased with the way we played tonight. I thought we were much more prepared mentally to go out there and play. I thought our effort was good throughout the game, but we need to find some baskets to be made."
Brothers also spoke about his team's intensity and that now matter what the scoreboard says, he has a group of girls that will attack from the opening tip until the final buzzer. He said they've made that commitment to each other and on Friday night, they didn't let anyone down.
While Miller scored a game-high 23 points for GHS, Key singled out a senior and her effort on the night.
"I thought Kate Babington played just unbelievable. I've been telling her all year, not many people can see what she can do and tonight it was it. Just touching the ball, blocking out -- she played great, absolutely great," Key said.
With the win, Greencastle will now face the host South Putnam Eagles for Putnam County supremacy and Key knows that tonight's championship game is just a step in the direction he has envisioned for his Tiger Cub squad. But he knows it's not going to be an easy task.
"South always, since I've been around -- well, they're South. It's a big rivalry and it's going to be fun. You always want to get that championship game where you get to climb the ladder, so we have it tomorrow and I'm excited about it and our girls are too," Key commented.
North Putnam will face Cloverdale in the first game tonight, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at South Putnam. The Tiger Cubs and Eagles will duke it out 20 minutes following the first game for the right to be named the 2009 Putnam County Champion.
At South Putnam
North Putnam 10 6 6 17 -- 39
Greencastle 12 9 9 20 -- 50
Statistics
North Putnam -- Robinson 12, McGaughey 10, Malayer 9, Davis 8. Totals: 13-58 FG, 10-15 FT, 39 TP.
Greencastle -- Miller 23, Samuels 9, Burgeson 5, Babington 5, Nichols 4, Nobles 2, Wainman 2. Totals: 18-60 FG, 10-17 FT, 50 TP.
Next game -- North Putnam will face Cloverdale in the first game tonight, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at South Putnam. The Tiger Cubs and Eagles will duke it out 20 minutes following the first game for the right to be named the 2009 Putnam County Champion.