Eagles get soundly downed by Bruins

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

LIZTON -- South Putnam had a tall task ahead of it as it traveled to Tri-West Tuesday night.

The Bruins had already claimed three wins against Putnam County girls' basketball teams this season and completed the sweep with a resounding 62-22 win over the Eagles.

From the opening tip, the hosts went straight at South Putnam with their ever-present full court press and swamped the visitors, leading to 31 total turnovers by the end of the game.

Lauren DeSutter scored the opening eight points of the game for the Bruins and the hosts were ahead 10-0 before Nikki York scored the first basket for the Eagles.

York would score both of her baskets in the first quarter, accounting for all the scoring done by the visitors.

In the meantime, Leanna Masters had picked up two early fouls, sending her to the bench for the majority of the first half.

This left the paint open for Bruin center Karen Jones, who scored 11 points in the second quarter, six of those coming from offensive rebounds.

South Putnam was able to put its best quarter together at the same time, scoring 10 down the stretch to match Tri-West blow-for-blow leading into halftime, though they trailed 33-14.

The hosts continued the offensive fireworks and powered past the Eagles, who fell to 5-12 on the season.

South Putnam head coach Lindsey Blackman said the squad did not match Tri-West's intensity at the start of the game.

"This is two games in a row where we did not step off the bus ready to play," Blackman said. "With a team like Tri-West that is talented, you can't start slow. We had to be more efficient defensively and on the boards than we were."

The Eagles host Cloverdale Friday for South Putnam's homecoming and Blackman said that the squad needs to gain some energy from the week and be ready from the opening tip.

"We've got to be ready. Cloverdale is a much improved team," Blackman said. "Coach [Matthew] Langdon has done a good job with that squad.

"They're going to be a team that pressures and plays quick, so we need to come ready to play. Hopefully with the homecoming festivities these girls will bring the intensity that they can bring.

"We need to come focused on defense and on offense and play a much better, well-rounded game."

South Putnam senior Brittany Birt lines up for a jumpshot against Tri-West on Tuesday. Birt had four points in the loss. (Banner Graphic/TRENT SCOTT)



At Tri-West
South Putnam 4 10 5 3 -- 22
Tri-West 18 15 16 13 -- 62

Scoring
South Putnam: 8-37 FG, 1-4 3-FG, 5-8 FT; Masters 6, Barnes 5, Birt 4, York 4, Varvel 3.
Tri-West: 26-61 FG, 5-15 3-FG, 5-11 FT; DeSutter 26, Jones 17, Headlee 5, Sellers 4, Sprecher 3, Waldeck 2, Baggett 2, Brown 2, Johnson 1.

Rebounds (Offensive)
South Putnam 22 (5), Tri-West 28 (15)

Assists
South Putnam 3, Tri-West 9

Blocks
South Putnam 1, Tri-West 2

Turnovers
South Putnam 31, Tri-West 9

Fouls
South Putnam 12, Tri-West 13

Next Game: South Putnam hosts Cloverdale for Homecoming Friday.

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