SPHS girls drop heartbreaker to Cadets

Saturday, December 9, 2006

The South Putnam girls' basketball team lost a heartbreaker to the Cascade Cadets', 43-41, at home Friday night.

The aggressiveness of the Eagles' defense and their ability to control the ball helped them overcome a 18-14 halftime deficit to the Cadets.

The boost for the Eagles' came as Oceaia Boetjer connected with a three-pointer from just inside the half court line as the third quarter expired. She also opened the Eagles' scoring in the fourth quarter as she netted another three-pointer and brought South within seven, with the score 35-28.

South Putnam continued to chip away at the Cadets' lead as key baskets from Leeah Butts and Meghan Canary. Butts' free throws with 3:01 remaining cut the lead to three points.

After a basket by Cascade's Ashley Wichman, Canary connected on a short jumper to keep it close. South's intense defense caused a 10 second half-court violation to give the Eagles one last shot at the victory. But the Cadets' Emilee Arnold hit a basket and sealed the win for Cascade. South Putnam ended their scoring as Bailey Birt hit two free throws with 4.2 seconds on the clock.

South Putnam coach Debbie Steffy took notice of her squads effort and obvious improvement.

"We had an improved effort tonight," she said after the game.

"We need to look to improve on everything. " Some of the things the coach pointed out to work on was offensive rebounding and rebounding against the zone.

South Putnam will host Owen Valley Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.

South Putnam controlled the opening tip and quickly jumped out to a 4-to-nothing lead until a long three from Kate Miller cut the Eagles' lead to one point. Cascade closed the opening quarter with four unanswered points to take the lead at 7-6.

Cascade continued to score in the second quarter and their defense held the Eagles to just eight points. Cascade's Kaitie Nease scored down low and Lindsay Stewart dialed in the long ball to lift the Cadets to an 18-14 halftime lead.

The third quarter was controlled early as Cascade score nine quick points to lead 26-18. South's C.J. Searles kept the Eagles close as she connected on a close jumper and Samantha Stanifer hit an outside jumper toward the end of the quarter.

The second half saw the Eagles calm down as a squad and begin to control the pace of the game but the Cascade was too much and won the contest 43-41.

South Putnam will host Owen Valley Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.

At South Putnam

Cascade (43) -- Arnold 4, Marshall 3, Stewart 7, Miller 6, Wichman 13, Nease 10. Totals -- FG 16 FT 2-5 TP 43

South Putnam (41) -- Canary10, Robinson 3, Stanifer 2, Birt 7, Boetjer 5, Searles 4, Butts 10. Totals -- FG 12 FT 14-16 TP 41

3-Pt. Shooting -- Cascade 3, South Putnam 1

Next Game -- South Putnam will host Owen Valley Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.

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