Wiatt's triple-double leads Cougars past Eagles for consolation win

Bethany Wiatt had a triple-double against South Putnam on Saturday, finishing with 10 points, 10 assists and 14 steals.

North Putnam senior Bethany Wiatt had the breakout game her team has been counting on, finishing with a triple-double of 10 points, 10 assists and 14 steals in the Cougars' win over South Putnam in the consolation game of the 2013 Putnam County Girls' Basketball Tournament, 42-30.

Wiatt's commanding game on both ends of the court was the missing ingredient for NPHS (1-4, 0-0 WCC) as the team picked up its first win of the season.

"We've talked about players having to step up and do some things for us, and Bethany is very capable of doing that," NPHS coach Curtis Lawrence said. "It's always important to a county school, especially a rival like South Putnam.

"I told the kids this is the biggest win since I've taken over."

Wiatt's anticipatory defensive positioning was a huge part of the Cougars' full-court press that was unsolvable for the first quarter of the game.

She had four steals in the opening quarter, a 9-0 frame for NPHS that included a stretch of more than five minutes when South Putnam failed to attempt a shot.

South Putnam's (1-4, 0-0 WCC) first points came with 5:20 left in the second in the second quarter when they designed a baseline out-of-bounds play and trailed by 13.

Junior Katelyn Lady's 3-pointer started the Eagles on a run and they closed the half trailing just 17-13.

"I thought we were moving the ball a little better (Friday), we just weren't looking to score," SPHS coach Bill Merkel said. "I see some improvement, but it's not good enough where we stand."

Much of the run was made possible because NPHS sophomore Taylor Nauert was rested for the final few minutes of the half after picking up her second foul.

North Putnam forward Taylor Nauert swarms South Putnam's Emily Dobson with active defense.

Nauert was a menace as the front of the Cougars' press. After made baskets Nauert crowded the inbounder, using her 6-foot-1 frame to block the passer's vision and her arms and legs to close passing lanes.

The Eagles settled for lobbing throws over her, which Wiatt was quick to intercept.

"They played extremely well, both defensively and offensively all night," Lawrence said. "We knew South Putnam was somebody that we could press.... We have to pick our spots with it, but it's pretty good when you have somebody 6-1 with that wingspan and quickness."

With Nauert back in the game to start the third quarter the Cougars mounted another run, outscoring the Eagles 8-2 in the opening stretch of the second half.

Wiatt and senior Madison Asbell were the beneficiaries. The pair combined for five steals in the quarter with Asbell guarding against deep passes and Wiatt taking the first line.

Despite their struggles, the Eagles battled throughout the game and found a way to score even when they couldn't hit shots. Helping things were the two buzzer-beaters, made by Lady and sophomore Jessica Modglin, to close out the second- and third-quarters.

In the fourth South Putnam found another way to get points. Six of its eight fourth-quarter points came on free throws.

"They came back with a lot of heart," Merkel said. "We were down, they could have just packed their bags. ... We spotted them but we got back and cut it down."

North Putnam fended off the final attack and, while it struggled from the line during the game, hit free throws down the stretch to secure the win.

"We hit shots tonight, which is something that we need to do," Lawrence said.

Wiatt's phenomenal game seemed to help lift her teammates and took pressure off Asbell, who had been the Cougars' leading scorer and most consistent player in each of the team's first four games.

Nauert had her best game of the season with 14 points, seven rebounds and two blocks and Asbell had 10 points, seven boards and four steals.

Junior Morgan Smith had her most efficient game of the year, coming off the bench to make 2-of-5 shots for five points.

Lady led the Eagles with 10 points including three 3-pointers. Senior Amanda Barnes had eight points and seven rebounds for SPHS.

Aubrey Nichols had a complete game for the Eagles.

South Putnam sophomore Katie Hewitt had five points and a game-high 13 rebounds. Senior Aubrey Nichols had three points, five steals, three rebounds and two assists.

The loss by South Putnam was the first time the Eagles had been swept in the county tournament since at least 2000. SPHS had won the past two Putnam County championships.

North Putnam won its first game last year in its sixth game of the season at South Vermillion. The Cougars host the Wildcats on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.

South Putnam plays at West Vigo on Tuesday where it will try to stop its current four-game losing streak.

2013 Putnam County Girls' Basketball Tournament
Consolation Final