It has been a rollercoaster of a week for the Greencastle boys' varsity basketball team in the Wabash Valley Pizza Hut Classic

It has been a rollercoaster of a week for the Greencastle boys' varsity basketball team in the Wabash Valley Pizza Hut Classic.

After losing the opening round game to Northview Tuesday, the Tiger Cubs responded by convincingly knocking off Monrovia Wednesday.

Thursday, the ride continued against Rockville in the semifinal of the consolation tourney. After slow first half, Greencastle rolled back to put up 21 points in the third quarter. However, the Tiger Cubs came up short in the fourth, taking a 42-40 loss to Rockville at Terre Haute North.

Brennan Burks led Greencastle with 12 points and five rebounds in the game, while Cal Gard added six points, five assists and two steals. Rockville junior Ryan Bridge scored a game-high 17 points, including four three-pointers in the contest.

Rockville's offense relied on perimeter shooting throughout the game, knocking down 9-of-19 three-point field goals.

The Rox finished shooting 14-of-35 from the field, while Greencastle was 16-of-41 on the day, including 4-of-13 from three-point range.

Both teams started hot in the beginning of the first quarter. After Quinn Fenlon connected with Brennan Burks for a baseline post move for two points, Rockville hit two consecutive three-pointers. When Cal Gard followed with a strong move to the lane for a right handed layup, making the score 6-4, it appeared the game was going to be a track meet.

However, both teams combined for just eight more points in the first quarter. Erick Burgeson tied the game at 9-all, hitting a three-pointer with just under a minute remaining in the first quarter.

The slow play continued throughout the second quarter, with the Tiger Cubs only scoring four points in the period.

However, after one half of basketball, Greencastle only faced a 20-13 deficit.

Looking like a team inspired, the Tiger Cubs went on an 8-3 run to start the third quarter, punctuated by Gard stripping the ball at half court and passing ahead to Fenlon for a layup, cutting the Rockville lead to 23-22.

After the Rox stretched the lead, to 27-22, sophomore Kendall Faust entered the ball game to provide a much-needed spark. In the final four minutes of the third period, Faust scored seven points, including a three-pointer to tie the game at 28-28 and a steal and layup, tying the game at 30-30.

A Burks turnaround post move, followed by an acrobatic cross-court pass to Faust, gave Greencastle a 34-33 lead going into the fourth, capping a 21-point third quarter.

However, once again after eight high-octane minutes, things slowed down again.

Rockville outscored Greencastle 9-6 in the final period.

Gard hit a pulllup jumper, making the score 40-38, giving Greencastle its final lead with 2:55 remaining. Bridge followed with a three-pointer and Aaron Bridge sealed the game with a free throw, with just 22 seconds remaining.

Aaron Bridge, a freshman, ended with eight points, while fellow Rockville freshman R.J. Mahurin finished with nine points on three three-point field goals and a game-high seven rebounds.

Faust ended the game with seven points, while Burgeson finished with six points two rebounds and two assists. Fenlon led the Tiger Cubs in rebounding with six boards, while their 5-foot-8 point guard Richardson had four rebounds of his own.

Greencastle committed just 10 turnovers in the game to Rockville's 13.

Rockville moves on to play Bethasda Christian in the consolation championship game Friday.

Greencastle's record falls to 4-5 on the season. The Tiger Cubs play at Speedway Friday, Jan. 6 at 7:30 p.m.

Greencastle 9 4 21 6 -- 40

Rockville 9 11 13 9 -- 42

Greencastle - Burgeson 2-5 0-0 6, Fenlon 2-4 0-2 4, Remsburg 2-3 0-0 5, Faust 3-4 0-0 7, Richardson 0-2 0-0 0, Gard 3-12 0-0 6, Troyer 0-3 0-0 0, Burks 4-8 4-4 12. Totals --16-41 FG, 4-6 FT, 40 TP.

Rockville - A. Bridge 2-6 3-6 8, King 2-4 0-0 5, Mahurin 3-8 0-0 9, R. Bridge 6-12 1-1 17, Vauters 0-0 1-2 1, Burgess 1-5 0-0 2. 14-35 FG, 5-9 FT, 42 TP.

3 pt. - Greencastle 4 (Burgeson 2), Rockville 9 (R. Bridge 4), Rebounds - Greencastle 21 (Fenlon 6), Rockville 22 (Mahurin 7), Assists - Greencastle 11 (Gard 4), Rockville 9 (Mahurin 5), Steals - Greencastle 8 (Burgeson 2, Gard 2), Rockville 4 (R. Bridge 2).

Next game -- Greencastle plays at Speedway Friday, Jan. 6 at 7:30 p.m.