Big first quarter spells doom for GHS

GREENCASTLE -- Anyone remember 45 records? The hit song was the A side and the B side was some throw-in, that sometimes became a hit. The Greencastle Tiger Cubs got to experience both sides for the record over the weekend.

Getting off to a fast start on Friday night, the Tiger Cubs scored a 10-point win over county and conference rival South Putnam. On Saturday night, Greencastle was slow, and Edgewood left Greencastle's McAnally Center a 61-44 victory.

"I'd love to be able to pinpoint exactly what (happened). Last night (Friday) it was just the opposite. We were able to get off to a good lead (at South Putnam) and that ended up being the difference in the game. I thought tonight (Saturday) it was the same type of thing only we were on the other side," Greencastle coach Troy Greenlee said.

Edgewood on Friday played Class 4A No. 1-ranked Bloomington South and even through three quarters and on Saturday was still in that gear. The Mustangs jumped out to an 11-2 lead, netting six of their first nine points inside in the teeth of Greencastle's defense.

At the other end, Greencastle struggled with 5-14 shooting. And instead of getting the ball inside, where 6-7 center Nick Hutcheson had a five-inch size advantage, the Tiger Cubs settled for jump shots.

"We allowed them to beat us down the floor. We allowed them to get us into a position where we kind of hurried some things and we didn't get back defensively and gave them some easy buckets," Greenlee said.

Greencastle's Jordan Hickam hit a 3-pointer to open the second quarter, but the Tiger Cubs didn't score again for the next four minutes. By the time Greencastle's Hayden Stuckwisch put back a rebound at the 3:15 mark, Edgewood led 27-15.

"They played at a quicker pace than we did, a faster pace than we did and we didn't respond very well to that," Greenlee said.

Tyler Lewis's bucket drew the Tiger Cubs within 10, 27-17, with 2:45 left in the half, but Greencastle didn't score again until the third quarter.

Edgewood's Jayden Meek, a 6-4 forward, nearly had a double-double at halftime. Meek had 13 of his game-total 15 points and nine of his final 13 rebounds. Edgewood led 35-17 at halftime.

Playing more aggressive defense and getting the ball inside to Hutcheson for 13 points, Greencastle played Edgewood even through the second half. Greencastle held Edgewood to 5-of-16 shooting from the floor, but Edgewood hit 14-of-20 free throws because of that defense.

Edgewood led 45-29 going into the fourth period and never got closer.

Greencastle's JV earned a 33-17 victory over Edgewood in the opening game of the night.

Edgewood (61) -- Meek 3-8 9-9 15, Owens 1-2 2-2 4, Horne 6-8 1-2 13, Raventos 0-1 3-5 3, Narey 4-10 4-7 16, Ridge 1-3 2-2 4, Glave 0-1 0-2 0, Walls 2-3 2-2 6, Newman 0-1 0-0 0, Bauer 0-0 0-0 0, Eads 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 17-39 FG, 23-31 FT, 61 TP.

Greencastle (44) -- Carr 2-6 2-2 6, Lewis 5-11 0-1 10, Hutcheson 6-9 0-1 13, Hickam 2-6 2-2 7, Moore 1-2 0-0 0, Haussin 0-3 0-0 0, Stuckwisch 1-3 0-2 2, Hennette 3-5 0-0 6, Gerard 0-2 0-0 0, Embry 0-2 0-0 0, Lenihan 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 20-51 FG, 4-8 FT, 44 TP.

Edgewood=22=13=10=16=--=61

Greencastle=10=7-12=15=--=44

3-Pt. Goals: Ew 4-11 (Narey 4-8, Walls 0-1, Owens 0-1, Newman 0-1), Gc 2-18 (Hickam 1-2, Hutcheson 1-2, Carr 0-2, Haussin 0-2, Stuckwisch 0-2, Gerard 0-2, Embry 0-2, Lewis 0-1, Hennette 0-1, Moore 0-1, Lenihan 0-1). Total fouls: Ew 15, Gc 24. Fouled out: None. Turnovers: Ew 12, Gc 14. Rebounds: Ew 37 (Meek 13), Gc 26 (Hutcheson 5, Lewis 4, Stuckwisch 4). Steals: Ew 4 (Meek 2), Gc 5 (Lewis 2). JV game: Greencastle won 33-17.

Next game: Greencastle (3-6, 1-1 in WCC) will host Cascade on Friday. Edgewood (7-3, 1-1 in WIC) plays at Owen Valley on Friday.