North Putnam scores come from behind win over Turkey Run

MARSHALL -- Free throws were the story in North Putnam's 62-58 come-from-behind win over Turkey Run Friday.

The Cougars, who didn't spend much time at the line all night, scored their last six points of the game by hitting their last six free tosses as they erased a 56-47 deficit with 3:06 left in the game to win their fourth game of the season.

The Warriors left 10 points on the table by hitting only 17 of their 27 free throw attempts, as they fell to 3-6 on the campaign.

The comeback by North Putnam overshadowed an excellent second half by Turkey Run, who was down 28-27 at the half, but took the ball inside for 11 buckets in the second.

The Cougars were able to find the stops, though, and held the Warriors without a field goal the final three and a half minutes.

"We challenged the guys when we were down nine," North Putnam coach Nathan Martindale said. "We told them they had to want it and to go get it, and they accepted that challenge. It's a good win -- now we have to go work like that for 32 minutes."

The Cougars put four in double-figures, led by James Hedrick's 16 points.

The senior scored 12 of those in the first half, but drew extensive coverage and took only one shot in the second. His four free throws with :39 and :16 left on the game clock gave his squad the lead back and a cushion.

Junior forward Kolten Everts added 13 points on a 6-of-7 shooting night, added four rebounds, a couple assists and a couple more steals.

Travis Franklin dropped in a dozen, while Jacob Lucas scored 10, all in the second half. Lucas also had a team-high six boards.

Foul trouble and the missed free throws were on the mind of Turkey Run coach Grant McVay.

"The unguarded ones," was his first comment when asked about the game, referring to the 10 missed free throws. "We'd break the press and miss a layup. We'd not block out on a missed free throw, and with our lack of depth, getting into foul trouble really got our rotation in trouble."

The Warriors were led in scoring by Jake Weaver's 21 points, followed by Riley Sunderman with 15. Sunderman and Jacob Hayn each had a game-best eight rebounds.

The Cougars were 23-of-49 from the field, 7-of-18 from long range, 9-of-16 from the line and grabbed 35 rebounds.

The Warriors were 19-of-47 from the field, 3-of-12 from long range, 17-of 27 from the line and also had 35 rebounds. North Putnam had 15 turnovers while Turkey Run had 14.

The Cougars are idle until next Friday when they travel to Monrovia, while the Warriors are back in action tonight when they travel to Eminence.

North Putnam won the junior varsity game 52-40. Austin Day had 17 for the Cougars while Jarred Russell had 13 for the Warriors.

At Turkey Run

North Putnam 15 13 10 24 -- 62

Turkey Run 10 17 18 13 -- 58

North Putmam (4-6)

Everts 6-7, 0-1, 13; Hedrick 4-10, 5-6 16; Lucas 4-6 2-5 10; Franklin 5-8, 1-1 12; Porter 1-8 0-1 2; Wilterwood 3-7 0-0 8; Muse 0-1 1-2 1; Stanley 0-2 0-0 0. Totals -- 23-49 FG, 9-16 FT 62 Pts.

Turkey Run (3-6)

Goddard 0-0 0-0 0; Hayn 3-5, 0-0 8; Sunderman 3-10, 9-15 15; Weaver 7-17, 7-9 21; Woods 1-6, 0-2 2; McCombs 4-7, 1-1 9; Jeffers 1-2 0-0 3; Thomas 0-0 0-0 0. Totals -- 19-47 FG, 17-27 FT 58 Pts.

3-point goals -- North Putnam 7-18 (Everts 1-1, Wilterwood 2-3, Hedrick 3-5, Franklin 1-3, Porter 0-4, Stanley 0-2), Turkey Run 3-12 (Weaver 0-5, Jefffers 1-2, Woods 0-2, Hayn 2-3). Rebounds -- North Putnam 35 (Lucas 6, Hedrick 4, Franklin 4, Everts 4), Turkey Run 35 (Sunderman 8, Hayn 8, Woods 6, Goddard 4). Second Chance Points -- North Putnam 11, Turkey Run 4. Fouls -- North Putnam 20, Turkey Run 16. Turnovers -- North Putnam 15, Turkey Run 14. Points off Turnovers -- North Putnam 18, Turkey Run 20. Paint Points -- North Putnam 22, Turkey Run 32. Junior Varsity -- North Putnam 52, Turkey Run 40.