GMS 8th graders in county final

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

The Greencastle Middle School eighth grade boys' basketball team earned a spot in the Putnam County basketball championship game with a win over South Putnam Monday.

The opening round host Tiger Cubs came out with a smothering pressure defense in the opening quarter that stifled the visitors and resulted in a 16-0 score after the first quarter. Ryan Coble and Zach Wilkerson both scored five points each in that opening stanza.

Both teams played evenly in the second period with the Eagles cutting into the GMS lead, but still down 22-7 heading into the locker room.

In the third quarter Cole Edgar had the hot hand, scoring six of his game-high eight points and helping the Cubs extend their lead to 39-14 after three periods.

South Putnam had their biggest quarter of the night in the fourth as Jacob Lorimer sank all four of his free throw attempts helping the Eagles score nine points to Greencastle's two. It was too little too late, however, as the Tiger Cubs hung on for the 41-23 victory.

Greencastle had balanced scoring on the evening led by Coble and Edgar with eight each, followed by Wilkerson and Brandon Gierke with seven and six points, respectfully.

Anthony Rossok and Peyton Walker dominated the backboards with five rebounds each, while Wilkerson dished out three assists and Coble made three steals on the evening.

The win pushes the GMS record to 14-2 on the season. They play North Putnam tonight for the championship at Cloverdale.

At Greencastle

GMS -- Coble 8, Edgar 8, Wilkerson 7, Gierke 6, Sanders 4, Lewis 4, White 2, Owens 2.

South Putnam -- McHugh 11, Lorimer 4, Stewart 3, Grundlock 3, Rayce 2.