Miller leads GHS with 23 in win over North Putnam

Saturday, January 29, 2011
Greencastle's Hannah Wainman drives past North Putnam's Maggie Pinney during Friday's game.

ROACHDALE -- With only a week left in the regular season, Friday night's match-up between the girls' basketball teams of North Putnam and Greencastle was not only a battle between conference foes but a tune-up for sectional.

The Tiger Cubs spoiled senior night and winter homecoming for North Putnam as they defeated the hosts 53-39.

"Parts of the game we looked as well as we have all season," said Greencastle coach Bradley Key.

Going into sectional, Key is looking to his team to play hard and compete on a nightly basis.

In the fourth quarter, up by double digits, the Tiger Cubs worked on controlling the ball and the tempo of the game, something that Key said is a must come sectionals.

"We haven't had many games that we could work the ball around and control the tempo," said Key. "That is a key going into sectionals.

"We have to get the ball into the hands of our key players," Key said.

North Putnam head coach Jim Brothers was pleased with his team's effort on the night in the loss.

With one game left next Friday night against South Putnam, he said the game was a good tune-up.

"We need to learn to take care of the ball better going into sectionals," said Brothers.

Brothers said keeping his team poised and patient in game situations is a must for the Lady Cougars.

The Tiger Cubs jumped out to a quick lead in the first half, as their trapping defense caused four turnovers leading to easy baskets.

The Cougars fought back, though, in the second quarter as the shooting of the Cubs cooled off. Greencastle shot 2-of-12 from the field in the second quarter, allowing the Cougars back in the game.

With 2:08 left in the second quarter, the Cougars had tied the game at 24-all. The Tiger Cubs went nearly six minutes in the quarter only scoring one point from the foul line.

After halftime the Tiger Cubs came out with intensity, taking it to the basket.

North Putnam sophomore Samantha Lucas picked up her fourth foul in the third quarter sending her to the bench. Upon reentering in the fourth, she picked up her fifth foul with 4:26 left. At that point, she had seven of the team's 14 points that they scored in the half.

"We missed Lucas when she wasn't in the game tonight," said Brothers.

Going into the game, the Cougars looked to take the Tiger Cubs' leading scorer Mallory Miller out of the game -- which they did with some success for three quarters. Miller hit 13 points in the first quarter, accounting for all of her first half points.

"They did a good job of taking Mallory out of the game," said Key. "She got a lot of her points off of defensive turnovers."

Brothers said he was impressed with the effort his team gave defending Miller.

"Maggie Penney did a good job of defending her," said Brothers.

Key said in the final two games of the year before sectionals he is hoping his team will step-up its defensive pressure. Something it was lacking Friday night.

"We gave up to many easy shots tonight," said Key. "They did a good job of breaking our press. A lot of the times we just weren't in the right spots."

Both coaches said they were impressed with the effort their teams gave throughout the game.

"All the girls played hard, as a coach that is all that I can ask for," said Key.

Leading scorer for the Tiger Cubs was Miller with 23 points. Lucas led the way for the Cougars with 16.

At North Putnam

Greencastle 23 9 9 12 -- 53

North Putnam 13 13 9 4 -- 39

Individual Scoring

Greencastle -- Miller 23, Samuels 13, Wainman 9, Nichols 5, Earl 3. Team Stats: 16-50 FG; 16-24 FT; 53 TP.

North Putnam -- Lucas 16, Megan Robinson 11, Morgan Robinson 6, Frye 2, Asbell 2, Kientz 2. Team Stats: 15-43 FG; 10-13 FT; 39 TP.