NPHS girls slip by Eagles

Sport Writer

The match-up between the South Putnam Eagles girls' basketball team and the Cougars from North Putnam produced a nail biter that went down to the wire.

North Putnam ultimately won, 37-34, but not before some last-minute heroics from the Eagles.

When the fourth quarter opened, North had a six-point lead and seemingly control of the game. Its zone defense was causing the Eagles problems getting to the hoop and the guard duo of Brook Miller and Chelsea Greene kept the offensive pressure on.

But just when the Cougars began to breath easy, the Eagles came alive.

Heather Hughes hit a bucket with 6:50 in the fourth quarter to get South going and Boetjer connected on a three-pointer to bring the Eagles within one. South continued its strong play and tied the ball game when Boetjer hit another three-pointer and Meghan Canary hit a jumper. The score was knotted again at 34-all when Miller drove to the ride, rose and nailed a three-pointer with 3 seconds left to give North the lead for good.

South had one last chance, but Bailey Birt was unable to connect on a three-pointer from the top of the key and the Cougars walked away with the victory.

In the first quarter, the Eagles jumped out to a three-point lead in the first minute of the game when Bailey Birt hit the opening bucket of the game.

North Putnam quickly answered when Greene drained a three-pointer to put to Cougars ahead.

South gained the lead again when C.J. Searles hit a mid-range jumper, but again North answered as Brook Miller connected on two free throws and Taylor Alles hit a short jumper to give the Cougars a 10-8 lead. Oceaia Boetjer hit 1-of-2 free throws as the quarter ended to pull the Eagles within one.

The remaining two quarters were a slug fest, with both team turning it up a notch.

In the second, North's zone kept the Eagles from penetrating but South continued to score by grabbing offensive rebounds and putting them in.

Megan Robinson came up big for the Eagles in the quarter scoring four points to give South a lead midway through the period. North grabbed the lead again, but Boetjer hit 1-of-2 free throws to pull the Eagles within one going into the half.

Shawna Johnston built the Cougar lead in the third quarter by connecting on two consecutive shots. She was followed by Carlye McGaughey and Miller who hit two buckets to give the Cougars a 10-point lead. Taylor Alles scored on a big drive after faking a hand-off pass to Miller with 1:43 to go. As the quarter ended, the Cougars had the Eagles against the ropes with a 28-22 lead and sustained that lead for the win.

North Putnam will be in action Wednesday in the first round of the Cascade sectional against Tri-West at 7:30 p.m. South Putnam will play again Tuesday in the opening round of the Cascade sectional against Cascade at 7 p.m.

At South Putnam

North Putnam 37 South Putnam 33

North Putnam (37) -- Greene 11, Miller 14, Alles 6, Johnston 4, McGaughey 2. Totals: FG 15-44 FT 2-6 TP 37.

South Putnam (33) -- Canary 5, Robinson 6, Birt 9, Searles 2, Boetjer 10, Hughes 2. Totals: FG 12-42 FT 8-12 TP 33

3pt.FG -- N.P. 5 (Greene 3, Miller 2), S.P. 2 (Boetjer 2)

Next games -- North Putnam will be in action Wednesday in the first round of the Cascade sectional against Tri-West at 7:30 p.m. South Putnam will play again Tuesday in the opening round of the Cascade sectional against Cascade at 7 p.m.