Tiger Cubs' JV wins 2012 county tournament

The Greencastle girls' JV poses on the bleachers after winning the 2012 county championship. Members of the team include (front, from left) Kaylee Evans, Bethanie Burgeson, Paige Bragg, (second row) Madison Trout, Lauren Bridgewater, Marley Haltom, (back) Delanie Stoltey, Tera Amis, Alison White and Megan Haltom.

CLOVERDALE -- The Greencastle High School girls' junior varsity basketball team entered Saturday's county tournament with an impressive 7-1 record.

They left with a trophy, pair of wins, two tattered nets and claim to a 2012 county title.

"I'm really proud of them," GHS JV coach Matthew Welker said. "It's a great accomplishment to get to 9-1. We've faced some tough teams this year."

The Tiger Cubs defeated North Putnam in the final, 39-35.

Sophomore Lauren Bridgewater opened the game by making a three-pointer from the wing and finished with a game-high 12 points.

Greencastle led 12-8 after the first quarter and, at various times, appeared on the verge of going on a big run to push the Cougars to the brink of defeat.

NPHS kept fighting.

Freshman Jenny Heron was cold early but began heating up late in the first quarter, knocking down a pair of threes to keep her team in the game.

Heron and freshman Taylor Nauert worked the high-post and wing in perfect sync throughout the game.

Greencastle took a 25-19 lead to the fourth quarter, but North Putnam kept fighting.

Sophomore Kaitlin Mindiola scored five points in the quarter, including a traditional three-point play with 4:49 remaining, helping the Cougars seize momentum.

The team battled all the way back to tie GHS at 31-all with 2:15 to play.

The teams traded buckets back and forth. Freshman Paige Bragg added field goal with 30 seconds left to give GHS a 37-35 lead.

North Putnam drew up a play for Heron on the wing.

Her go-ahead three-point attempt caromed off the rim with twelve seconds remaining and the Tiger Cubs hauled in the rebound, raced the length of the court and Bridgewater put in a layup to ice the game.

"(North Putnam) would not go away," Welker said. "I'm really proud of everyone on the team for staying with it."

Greencastle beat Cloverdale 36-19 in the opening round matchup.

North Putnam beat South Putnam 31-24.

"I'm really pleased with the way the kids worked today," NPHS coach Laura Blaydes said. "It's a tough one to swallow but we're going to turn around and play again Tuesday and get our third win of the year."

North Putnam plays at North Vermillion Tuesday at 6 p.m.

Greencastle returns to action Thursday at Rockville.

At Cloverdale
2012 Putnam County girls' JV tournament
North Putnam -- 8 5 6 16 -- 35
Greencaste -- 12 7 6 14 -- 39