Eagle ladies win fifth in a row

Wednesday, January 14, 2015
Katie Hewitt of South Putnam looks for a opening against Danville. (Banner Graphic/JAY LOCKETT)

MONTEZUMA -- The South Putnam girls' basketball team parlayed a dominant rebounding night into a 49-37 victory over Riverton Parke on Tuesday.

The Eagles (8-7) won their fifth straight contest and crept over the .500 mark for the first time since they started the season 1-0.

South Putnam's 37-14 rebounding edge was key on a night that they also surrendered 31 turnovers.

The opening period wasn't a high scorer for either team, but the Eagles were up 9-8 after one.

While South had 11 turnovers, it also pulled down 13 rebounds.

A late three-pointer by Lillie Stein put her team up 9-8.

"We came out playing hard, but we didn't do a good job taking care of the ball," Eagle coach Tim Garver said. "Thankfully our defense played well and kept Riverton's shooting down. We held them to three field goals and I'll take that."

The second quarter saw Riverton (10-8) take the early lead and go up 13-11. A rebound basket by 5-11 Eagle senior Emily Dobson at the 5:37 mark tied the game.

A missed Panther shot and South Putnam rebound by junior Katie Hewitt led to a wide-open three-pointer from freshman guard Miranda Bieghler at the 5:11 mark to put her team up 16-13.

A steal and basket by Stein made the lead 18-13. Riverton added a basket, and the game stayed scoreless until Dobson hit one of two free throws at 1:40 to make it 19-15. Katelyn Lady added a three with 49 seconds to play in the half to put her team up 22-17.

"Katelyn played well. That three was big and gave us some room. Tayler Vauters hit that long three with time running out or we went into the half up 22-17. With 14 first half turnovers we were happy to be up at the half," Garver added.

The third quarter was a better one for the Lady Eagles as they outscored the hosts 11-7 to go into the final 8 minutes up 33-27. Bieghler added a three, and Hewitt four to help stretch the lead.

In the final quarter, South Putnam stretched its lead to 12, the night's highest, as Hewitt added eight, of her game-high 16 points.

"Katie really came to play," Garver said. "She and Dobson were on the boards tonight and that was the game's difference. I have to give my assistant coaches a lot of credit. I was moving girls in and out at every opportunity, and when they were on the bench, my coaches were always busy drawing stuff up for them.

"It was a good win for us. Riverton was a scrappy ball club, and I have to give them credit," he added. "It's a good start to the week, and we can continue to build from here"


At Riverton Parke

South Putnam9 13 11 16 -- 49
Riverton Parke8 12 7 10 -- 37

Riverton Parke: Blacketer 1-2 2-2 5, Vaulters 6-19 3-5 19, Bovair 1-7 1-2 3, Organ 3-8 5-10 11, Massutti 0-4 1-2 1.

South Putnam: Bieghler 3-6 0-1 9, Lady 2-2 0-0 5, Dobson 4-6 1-2 9 (6 RB), Carmichael 1-2 0-0 2, Hewitt 6-8 4-4 16 (14 RB) Stein 4-6 1-2 10

Team Stats:

SP-RP

FG20-31--12-32
3FG5-6--2-12
FT6-9--13-22
Fouls 19-17
Reb37--14
Assists9--8
Steals9-13
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