South Putnam boys hold off Turkey Run

Wednesday, December 3, 2014
Senior Eagle Chad Menke ignores the defense and nails a ten-totter in the fourth quarter. (Banner Graphic/JAY LOCKETT)

An intense home game in the early season of the South Putnam boys' team saw the Eagles eventually pull away with the 56-42 win.

A two-point lead at half time for Turkey Run evaporated when a 33-point second half from the Eagles turned the physical game into a win.

"I thought they battled really hard," Eagle coach Greg Dean said. "It was a great team win especially when you consider that we had four starters on the bench for most of the end of the first half. We had to go deep on our bench and we got some young kids in there. They came in and helped hold the fort down."

Both teams got into foul trouble early as the physical game was played in the paint. This led to many free throws for Turkey Run and South Putnam, who were both into the penalty for much of the game.

"That tends to happen more early in the year," Dean said. "People are playing a lot more with their hands. You have to get into the sync of things. The officials were calling it tight and they were consistent. We have to do a better job of adjusting. Turkey Run did a good job of dribble drives and beating us to the lane where it caused us to have to help. That got us into foul trouble."

Despite the foul trouble, the Eagles continued their attack and eventually climbed into the lead in the third. South took a 34-27 lead over the Warriors and the Eagles crashed the boards all game long to ensure defensive stops.

"I think it all is the atmosphere," senior Eagle Chad Menke said. "We've been working towards this for weeks. We've been practicing. We suffered a tough loss last week in Danville. Coming off of that. We had a lot of motivation behind us. We wanted to come out here and make it a show. I'm really excited for County."

Menke was the leading scorer with 15 pts and junior Trevor Long led the team in boards with 8.

Though Turkey Run continued attacking and driving into the paint with the intension of drawing fouls, the Eagles were able to stick to their gameplan and combine good offense with good defense and stay out in front for the entire fourth quarter.

"I was proud of what my team was able to do," Menke said. "Despite the foul trouble. We worked through it. Having some of the younger guys come off the bench was great for us. They stepped right in our shoes and did exactly what they needed to do. They didn't slack. That's what we need as a team."

Up next for the Eagles (1-1) will be the Putnam County Classic where the Eagles will play against their county rival Cougars.

At South Putnam

Turkey Run 15 10 7 10 - 42

South Putnam 13 10 11 22 -- 56

Individual scoring

Menke 15 pts, 5 reb; Long 13 pts, 8 reb, 1 ass, 1 stl; Carmichael 11 pts, 6 reb, 1 asst, 1 stl, 2 blk; Schroer 7 pts, 3 reb, 3 asst; Stewart 6 pts, 2 asst; Parks, 2 pts, 1 reb; Freeman 2 pts, 2 reb, 1 stl; Grundlock 4 reb, 2 asst, 1 stl, 1 blk, Lesko 1 reb

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