South Putnam falls to Riverton Parke

Monday, January 29, 2007

MONTEZUMA -- Despite a great team effort and an outstanding down-the-stretch performance from Adam Nees, the South Putnam Eagles fell to Riverton Parke Saturday night, 40-34,

"Adam played really hard," coach Brian Gardner said after the game. "He did some things to help us get back into the game."

South came out strong as Conor Frame scored two of the Eagles' early baskets. Noah Boswell, Derek Cash, and Ben Parker quickly followed and South had a 10-2 lead. Riverton Parke made a free throw with four seconds remaining to end the quarter with South on top, 10-3.

Ben Anderson and Nees picked up fouls early and played limited minutes in the first half.

As the second quarter started, South was bewildered at the first foul called. Boswell was cited for a charging foul, that was called on Frame. As the crowd and coaching staff pleaded its case, play resumed and Riverton Parke used that momentum to start a charge.

The Panther's Michael McMullen, Grant Mitchell and Mark Pate led the charge, all scoring early in the quarter. Steven Helms, Mitchell, and Pate closed the quarter out by scoring six points and giving the Panthers their first lead of the night, 17-16, going into half time.

Ben Anderson and Nees picked up fouls early and played limited minutes in the first half.

The second half, South upped the ante on defense as Derek Tomaw was like a shadow on the Riverton Parke players. South continued playing hard but the third quarter was unkind. South found it tough to score and trailed going into the final quarter, 25-16.

South started to roll in the fourth quarter. They became more active on the boards and stepped up on defense to limit the Panthers scoring opportunities. Nees scored on a series of plays. He scored at the 2:18 mark to bring the Eagles to within four points, 35-31. He scored again on a driving hoop to cut the Panther lead at two. But with time running out, Neese fouled out and South had to foul, putting its fate in the other teams' hands.

But unlike the first half, Riverton Parke was solid at the line. Josh Wilson nailed key free throws at the end of the game to keep the Panthers in front for the win.

"We battled at the end," Coach Gardner said.

In junior varsity action, South Putnam came up short, 38-33. The Eagles also lost to Cloverdale, 38-18, at home on Thursday.

South will host North Putnam Friday at 7:30 p.m.

At Montezuma

Riverton Parke 40 South Putnam 34

Riverton Parke (40) -- Pate 2, Helms 3, Mitchell 8, Wilson 11, McMullen 12, Stone 2, Engle 2. Totals TP 40.

South Putnam (34) -- Anderson 6, Nees 10, Boswell 3, Parker 2, Frame 6, Cash 4, Welty 3. Totals TP 34.

3pt. FG -- Riverton Parke 0, South Putnam 2 ( Anderson, Welty)

JV -- Riverton Parke 38 South Putnam 33

Next game -- South will host North Putnam Friday at 7:30 p.m.

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