Chargers slip by Tiger Cubs, 62-59

Saturday, February 24, 2007

GREENCASTLE -- Senior night is always a special night at Greencastle High school as the seniors from the basketball team, cheerleaders, dance team, band and their parents are recognized before the game.

The only thing that could make the night anymore special would have been a win over the visiting North Montgomery Chargers. But the Chargers did their best to not allow that to happen as they came out on top of the Tiger Cubs, 62-59.

The first period was a back and forth contest, which saw both teams trade the lead several times. Greencastle senior Erick Burgeson started off hot in the first scoring eight points, six of them from behind the arc.

But North Montgomery's A.J. Sutherlin kept the pace up, pouring in seven of his own. When the fireworks settled North Montgomery had a slight edge at the end of the first 16-13.

The second period saw the Tiger Cubs' shooting go cold, only scoring 10 points in the period. Three-pointers from Zac Remsburg and Drew Evens would be the only real fireworks that the Tiger Cubs could muster before the half.

The Chargers went on an 11-0 run behind a very balanced offensive attack from D.J. Byrd and Sutherlin to help North Montgomery take a 13-point lead into halftime at 36-23.

The third period saw both teams struggle on the offensive end of the floor as both teams' defenses tightened up. The Tiger Cubs shot only 5-of-16 in the third, but they outscored the Chargers in the period. North Montgomery shot 2-for-10 from the floor and watched its 13-point lead trimmed to only nine points by the end of the third quarter, 43-34.

The fourth period was to say the least electric. Burgeson drained four straight field goals while Remsburg found the bottom of the net twice from behind the arc as the Tiger Cubs chipped away at the lead. With 30 seconds to go, the Tiger Cubs were within striking distance, only down three points.

A series of mistakes by North Montgomery, turning the ball over back to back times allowed the Cubs to have a shot at pulling the game off when they got to within one point at 60-59 but a missed shot by Greencastle and two clutch free throws by Byrd and North Montgomery holds on with a 62-59 victory.

"Our team really didn't play very well tonight, a lot of people will think the fourth period was the most critical period but I think it was the second when they went on the 11-0 run. It's hard to fight back when you get down like that." said coach Troy Greenlee. "We had some chances there towards the end but just couldn't capitalize. But the guys never gave up, I was very proud of them."

In junior varsity action, Greencastle lost, 35-29.

Greencastle will play Owen Valley in the first round of the Greencastle Sectional on Tuesday night.

At Greencastle

N. Montgomery 16 20 7 19 -- 62

Greencastle 13 10 11 25 -- 59

Greencastle -- Burks (18), Burgeson (17), Remsburg (12), Richardson (5), Evens (5), Smiley (2).

North Montgomery -- Sutherlin (16), Byrd (14), Morris (11), Calder (10), Galloway (4), Evans (4), Brady (3).

Junior varsity -- Greencastle lost, 35-29.

Next Game -- The Tiger Cubs face Owen Valley Tuesday.

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