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GHS takes a bite out of Cadets
GREENCASTLE -- The Greencastle girls' basketball squad was able to flex some muscle and put together a monster second half to deal Cascade their first conference loss of the season. The Tiger Cubs outscored the Cadets 38-16 in the second half and won the game 64-43.
"The second half was good," GHS head coach Bradley Key said. "It was honestly a lot closer until the very end, but we were able to knock down our free throws. Our girls did exactly what we wanted them to do. We knew they were down a player, which kind of hurt them in the depth. We knew we had eight that could do in and out all the time and that's exactly what happened.
"Mallory (Miller) didn't hit her shot in the first half and it wasn't a big deal to us because we knew we have eight that can play. I'm not sure that everyone knows that yet, but they're starting to figure it out," he added.
Greencastle was able to capitalize on the scrappy play of sophomore Taylor Pruitt to begin their second half charge. Pruitt was able to anticipate the Cascade offense and force some key turnovers and position herself for rebound after rebound the help lift GHS to a 40-35 after three quarters.
"I can't say enough about Taylor Pruitt," Key said with a smile. "We had her for about 17 rebounds -- unbelievable. I told her last night, "Tenille (Burgeson) has proved me right, Kate Babington's proved me right and now it's time for Taylor Pruitt to prove me right that I know she can do it." She just came out and played amazing, touching passes and getting rebounds.
"Hannah Wainman, another true sophomore, stepped up and did everything I asked her to. It's so much fun. Chelsea Samuels has another great game being solid," he said.
The Tiger Cubs entered the final quarter up five, but exploded for 24 points in the quarter to hand the Cadets the 21-point loss.'
In the final period, Burgeson was able to convert 9-of-12 free throws to lead GHS in second half scoring with 11 points. She combined with Samuels to lead the Tiger Cubs in scoring with 16 points each for the game. Pruitt added 14 points, Miller scored 13 and Wainman chipped in five points in the win.
The Tiger Cubs were able to open up a small lead to open the game after a three from Hannah Wainman, then Taylor Pruitt and Chelsea Samuels combining for six points off two Cascade turnovers. GHS lead 16-13 after one.
Cascade was able to close the gap in the second quarter and took a one-point lead into the half at 27-26.
The Cadets came into the contest with a 4-0 West Central Conference record. Greencastle moves to 3-0 in conference play. Key acknowledged that Cascade's record wasn't indicative to how strong of a team they are.
"At the beginning of the year we set some goals," Key commented. "Of course you want to win county, we wanted to beat teams that we shouldn't beat. There record doesn't show it, but they're a good team -- they're a hard team to stop. We did just that and this is another step along the way. We still have Speedway, North Putnam and Monrovia to battle, but it's obviously a step in the right direction going where we want to go."
Greencastle moves to 9-6 on the season and will face Turkey Run today at 1 p.m.
At Greencastle
Cascade 13 14 8 8 -- 43
Greencastle 16 10 14 24 -- 64
Individual Stats
Cascade (43) -- Morgan 16, Brit. Sallee 9, Bra. Sallee 9, Ott 4, Rivera 3, Suter 2. Totals: 15-59 FG, 10-14 FT, 43 TP.
Greencastle (64) -- Burgeson 16, Samuels 16, Pruitt 14, Miller 13, Wainman 5. Totals: 18-51 FG, 23-35 FT, 64 TP.
Next game -- Greencastle moves to 9-6 on the season and will face Turkey Run today at 1 p.m.