South Putnam falls to Bulldogs

By TIM TUTTLE

For the Banner Graphic

Sophomore guard Grant Zimmerman was a bright spot for South Putnam in a 59-46 loss to Monrovia in a West Central Conference boys basketball game Friday on the Eagles' court.

Zimmerman scored a team-high 12 points and had 10 rebounds. He was 5-of-7 shooting from the field including his only 3-pointer and 1-of-3 at the foul line.

"He played extremely well," South Putnam coach Micah Elliott said. "He may be the answer to our point guard spot."

The Eagles (4-8, 0-3 WCC) out-rebounded Monrovia (7-6, 4-1 WCC) 38-25, but committed nine more turnovers (16-7) and made only 14-of-29 shots at the foul line.

"The turnovers were the difference in the game," Elliott said. "That's nine less possessions. The free throws hurt us too. We missed some (two) front ends on one-and-ones. We did a lot of nice things, too. We played OK. We're improving, getting better."

South Putnam took a 28-27 lead early in the third quarter on Cameron Chestnut's basket on a baseline drive.

But the Eagles turned the ball over in the next three possessions and Monrovia took advantage to go on an 11-0 run for 38-28 lead.

The Eagles never got closer than seven after that.

Noah Boswell had 10 points and nine rebounds and Chestnut had nine points on 4-of-8 shooting from the field including 1-of-2 3-pointers.

South Putnam plays at Tri-West tonight.

At South Putnam

Monrovia 18 9 16 16 -- 59

South Putnam 11 14 9 12 -- 46

MONROVIA (59)

Connor 6-13 1-2 13, Jor. Standeford 1-3 0-0 3, Shuee 4-6 0-0 8, Johnson 1-5 0-0 2, Gray 3-3 2-2 10, McCleerey 5-12 5-6 15, Watson 1-4 1-4 3, Everett 0-1 3-4 3, Joe Standeford 1-4 0-2 2, McIntosh 0-0 0-0 0, Porter 0-0 0-1 0, Totals 22-50 12-21 59.

SOUTH PUTNAM (46)

Boswell 2-10 6-14 10, Dean 0-2 0-0 0, Masters 1-3 0-0 2, Chestnut 4-8 0-2 9, Frame 1-4 6-7 8, Nelson 1-3 1-2 3, Cash 0-0 0-0 0, Zimmerman 5-7 1-3 12, Vickery 1-2 0-1 2, Totals 15-39 14-29 46.

3-point field goals --Mon 3-12 (Gray 2-2, Jor. Standeford 1-2 , Connor 0-3, McCleerey 0-3, Johonson 0-1, Watson 0-1), SP 2-4 (Chestnut 1-2, Zimmerman 1-1, Boswell 0-1). Rebounds: Mon 25 (Connor 5), SP 38 (Zimmerman 10, Boswell 9, Masters 6). Turnovers: Mon 7, SP 16. Total fouls: Mon 23. SP 21. Fouled out: Masters.