Freshman Nauert has big game but Cougars still lose to Monrovia

Saturday, January 12, 2013
North Putnam freshman Taylor Nauert lines up a hook shot over the Monrovia defender. Nauert became the focal point of the Cougars' offense in her first start, scoring 20 points in the loss.

MONROVIA -- The North Putnam Cougars girls' basketball team were on the road Friday night at West Central Conference rival Monrovia High School. The Cougars lost to the Bulldogs 60-39.

In her first start, freshman Taylor Nauret had a game-high 20 points.

North Putnam coach Curtis Lawrence was very impressed with her performance.

"I thought Taylor Nauret did an outstanding job for us inside in her first start as a freshman," Lawrence said."

The game started out very close with the Cougars leading the Bulldogs at the end of the first quarter, 12-11.

Lawrence also was pleased with the way Senior Sam Lucas played inside.

"Sam keeps pounding away inside, getting rebounds, shots up, and getting to the line," he said.

The second quarter was a different story. North Putnam was outscored 22-5 in the frame. The Cougars had 23 turnovers in the first half.

The second half was much like the second quarter with North Putnam not making shots and turning the ball over.

"Our focus is going to be taking care of the ball," Lawrence said.

The Cougars out rebounded the Bulldogs 34-28 in the game, but the NPHS coach knew the game would come down to turnovers.

"We turned the ball over way too much. We want our turnover total to be what we had in the first half. That's something we are going to have to work on," Lawrence said.

The loss snapped a three-game winning streak for the 4-10 Cougars.

NPSH will look to rebound on Tuesday when it plays at Southmont at 6 p.m. The time was moved forward for originally-scheduled 7:30 p.m. because the boys' teams are making up for a postponed game the same night.



At Monrovia
Monrovia 11 22 13 14 -- 60
North Putnam 12 5 8 14 -- 39

Individual Scoring
Monrovia: Patterson 13, Whitaker 11, Delph 9, Riffel 8, Smith 6, Tharp 6, Knieper 5, Longere 2.
North Putnam: Nauret 20, Smith 7, Asbell 3, Lucas 3, Mindiola 3, Aynes 1, Land 1, Wiatt 1.

Team scoring
Monrovia: 21-61 FG, 15-21 FT, 60 points.
North Putnam: 10-56 FG, 19-32 FT, 39 points.

Three-point shooting
Mon, 1-8; NP, 0-1.

Turnovers
Mon 29, NP 34.

Rebounds
Mon 28, NP 34.

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