Semifinal rounds set for tonight

Friday, March 3, 2006

As the postseason enters March madness, three Putnam County basketball teams are still alive and well.

South Putnam, Cloverdale and Greencastle all play in their respective sectionals tonight, fighting for life to continue on Saturday.

The Eagles kick off the ticket, facing off with Cascade at 6 p.m. at South Putnam. The Cadets are 10-10 on the season, coming off an upset of Edgewood in their final game of the regular season.

South Putnam is currently 10-11 on the season, coming off a first round victory over North Putnam, 66-54. The Eagles were led by hot perimeter shooting from Greg Chestnut going 8-of-13 from the field for 26 points. Matt Hicks added 20 points for the Eagles down low.

The Cadets feature a gritty post player in 6-foot-2 Kevin Pusateri and solid backcourt in Jacob Daugherty and Brad Suter.

In the two times the Eagles and Cadets have played this season, Cascade has come out on top both times. South Putnam lost, 59-51, on Dec. 21 and, 52-41, on Dec. 30.

The marquee matchup of the night could be No. 2-ranked Tri-West against the No. 11-ranked Cloverdale.

The Bruins defeated the Clovers in overtime, 73-69, earlier in the season. Tri-West is coming off 11 straight victories, while the Clovers have won six straight and 11 out of their last 12 games.

Cloverdale defeated Monrovia 90-43 in the opening round of the sectional, while Tri-West narrowly avoided being uspset by South Vermillion, slipping by the Wildcats, 59-58.

The backcourt matchups should be fun to watch in this game. Tri-West's formidable combination of Marco Moses and Tyler Bruce will be matching up against the sharp-shooting trio of Chase Haltom, Kyle McCammon and Michael Neese.

Greencastle opens up play at Owen Valley, playing the host Patriots at 7:30 p.m. Owen Valley finished the regular season with a 18-4 record, winning six of its last seven games.

The Tiger Cubs finished the regular season with a 10-11 record.

The winner will face either Edgewood or Sullivan in the championship on Saturday.

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