Bruins too athletic for GHS

LIZTON -- Athletic ability determined the victor Saturday night when the Greencastle boys' basketball team traveled to Tri-West.

The Tiger Cubs tried everything they could to get an upset on the road, but Tri-West was too dominant and powerful, topping the Tiger Cubs 64-50.

"They're a more athletic and deeper team than we've played all year," GHS coach Troy Greenlee said, "I tribute a lot of it to that."

The Tiger Cubs (6-5, 3-1 WCC) came in trying to add to a two-game winning streak. Tri-West (8-4, 2-1 Sagamore) was trying to end a two-game skid.

In the end, Tri-West was just too athletic for GHS. It looked like it could be a lopsided win for the Bruins when they came out, but GHS responded, keeping it close the entire game.

Greencastle senior Holden King had 11 of his 18 points in the first half to provide a spark for his squad. He also hit four three-pointers.

King has gotten the start the last two games because of a disciplinary issue.

He has responded well, putting up big numbers.

"(King) has been great," Greenlee said, "He's one of those guys that we think can spread the floor by making some shots. He did that tonight and it makes the game easier. He has been playing very well."

Greencastle put up steady numbers in the first half, going into the locker room trailing 32-24 at halftime.

In the third, GHS came out of the locker room firing, quickly cutting the deficit to one point.

After the Tiger Cubs cut it to one point a second time, the Bruins woke up and got their offense flowing againt. Despite losing the first seven points, the Bruins still outscored the Tiger Cubs by three in the third quarter.

Down by 11 at the start of the final quarter, Greencastle went on another short run and cut it to seven. Again, that was all it could manage before the Bruins took over.

Greenlee said he would be a millionaire if he knew why they could not keep the run going. He said his team just dug themselves in too big of a hole to win.

The Tiger Cubs hung on tight and managed to get what they could throughout the game. They hit a three here and there and also got the occasional and-one.

The Tiger Cubs also had to face defensive pressure and double teams. There were times they were able to take advantage of it and others that they were just sloppy, committing 22 turnovers.

"(GHS) knew they were going to be one of those teams that trap," Greenlee said, "At times we handled it very well and others we weren't very strong with the ball."

Shooting and rebounding killed GHS. Tri-West took 13 more shots, scoring 12 second-chance points.

Even in defeat, Greenlee said he could not be more proud of his team's heart and effort. He said athletic ability and strength was the key to this game and Tri-West was just better at that.

"I thought our kids played their hearts out. They battled," Greenlee said.

Even though he fouled out, GHS junior Brody Bollman scored 16 points and had six boards.

Foul trouble was an issue the entire game for both teams. Besides Bollman, Tri-West junior Nick Sprecher fouled out, and six Bruins had at least three fouls.

Whenever GHS would make good plays the Bruins just stiffened up. It caused Greencastle to make too many mistakes, Greenlee said.

"On offense we missed too many opportunities that I thought we should have taken advantage of," Greenlee said, "We made too many mistakes at key times that were able to help them make key runs."

Greencastle's next game will be at Rockvlle on Feb. 5 at 7:30 p.m.

At Tri-West
Greencastle 12 12 13 13 -- 50
Tri-West 17 15 16 16 -- 64
Individual Scoring
Greencastle (50): King 6-11 2-5 18, Bollman 5-7 6-10 16, Foxx 2-3 0-0 4, Hughes 0-1 3-4 3, Newgent 1-3 0-0 3, Gerard 1-2 0-0 2, Mitchell 0-8 2-2 2, Winslow 1-2 0-1 2. Totals 16-37 13-21 50.
Tri-West (64): Musial 8-14 2-6 19, Waite 4-10 4-4 13, Ragsdale 6-9 0-0 12, Wilson 2-6 3-5 7, Miller 1-3 3-3 5, Sprecher 1-1 2-4 4, Vervynckt 2-4 0-0 4. Totals 24-50 14-23 64.
Individual Rebounding (OFF-DEF) TOTAL
Greencastle (11-11)22: Bollman (1-5)6, Foxx (3-2)5, King (2-2)4, Mitchell (3-0)3, Newgent (2-1)3, Gerard (0-1)1.
Tri-West (11-16)27: Musial (6-4)10, Waite (2-3)5,Ragsdale (2-2)4, Wilson (0-4)4, Miller (1-2)3, Vervynckt (0-1)1.