Tiger Cub girls sweep county basketball titles
It was a joyful day for Greencastle Middle School as Thursday both the seventh and eighth-grade girls' basketball teams took the championship crown in the Putnam County Classic, winning both games over South Putnam Middle School.
With a score of 38-12, the seventh-grade game was dominated by Greencastle as they were able to keep the Eagles from scoring a field goal in the first quarter.
Leading the charge defensively and offensively was Greencastle center Claire Gillen who finished the contest with a game-high eight points, scoring the majority in the first quarter and all in the first half.
South Putnam trailed 12-1 after one quarter with forward Caitlin Capps scoring the lone free throw.
The defense continued for the Tiger Cubs in the second. They held South Putnam to one shot from the floor and went into half-time sporting a 16-3 lead.
The second half saw the Tiger Cubs come out in a full-court press and once again they were able to stifle the Eagles, allowing just one point in the third quarter. The fourth quarter was the most productive offensively for South Putnam with a bucket from Sydney Jackman and a pair of free throws from forward Drew Bratcher.
The offense of Greencastle overwhelmed South Putnam with scoring from guard Sydney Lewis and forward Bailey Shuee each with six.
The eighth-grade game had drama throughout ending with Greencastle scoring a flurry of points to take the game in the end.
After a physical first quarter, Greencastle had a slight 6-5 advantage. Scoring from Greencastle guards Layna Robinson and Rose White led the way in the first half and the Tiger Cubs built a 17-9 lead.
After halftime the Eagles ramped their offensive tempo.
They were able to score 13 third-quarter points while holding Greencastle to only two. Alex Flanning scored six points in short order and Jessi Halcomb knocked down a three to give the Eagles their first lead of the game with a score of 22-19 at the end of the third quarter.
The early minutes of the fourth quarter were a back an forth battle with both sides making tough baskets. Going into the final minutes of the fourth the Tiger Cubs trailed 27-24 with three minutes to go in the fourth when guard Marin Nally made a layup over a South Putnam defender. Then Greencastle guard Taylor Strong was able to draw a foul and ice the game with two free throws and a final score of 33-27.
These final two victory sealed the deal as Greencastle girls' basketball was able to sweep the Putnam County Championship trophies with victories at every level varsity through 7th grade.
At North Putnam Middle School
Putnam County
Girls' Basketball Tournament
Seventh Grade Final
Greencastle (38): Gillen 8, Lewis 6, Barker 6, Duff 6, Weliever 4, Shuee 3, Stoffregen 2 Mitchell 2, O'Neal 1, Total 16-56 FG; 0-5 3-FG; 1-5 FT.
South Putnam (12): Capps 5, Jackson 2, Bracher 2, Boswell 2, Butcher 2 Total 3-60 FG; 1-4 3-FG; 4-7FT
Greencastle 12 4 12 8--38
South Putnam 1 2 1 8 --12
Eighth Grade Final
Greencastle (33): White 12, Robinson 6, Nally 4, Masten 4, Shuee 3, Strong 2, Patterson 2, Steadmon 0. Total 14-52 FG; 1-6 3-FG; 6-15 FT.
South Putnam (27): Fanning 9, McIntosh 9, Halcomb 6, Nichols 3, Bills 0, Perry 0. Total 11-56 FG; 1-5 -3FG; 6-11FT.
Greencastle 6 11 2 14-- 33
South Putnam 5 4 8 5 -- 27