Lady Cougars get 17-point victory against Turkey Run

Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Cougar sophomore Emilee Henninger fires one of her two opening shots to start the game. (Banner Graphic/JOHNATHON GOODE)

ROACHDALE--The North Putnam girls' basketball team put up an impressive 17-point victory Tuesday against the Turkey Run Warriors, 44-27.

This win for the Cougars (4-14, 1-1 WCC) is its second straight after beating the Cloverdale Clovers on the road last Friday night, 38-33.

"I thought we continued to improve on last Friday night," Coach Jim Spencer said. "For the last month we've gotten better defensively. We just got to keep getting better. We've just got to do things a little bit better. Tonight I thought we did a good job both physically and mentally."

Sophomore Emilee Henninger made only one bad play in the first half by fouling Sydni Bowling on a three-point attempt on the first possession of the game. After making two of the free throws, Henninger hit nothing but net on the next two possessions on her side of the court to tie the game at four.

With 4:44 remaining senior Kaitlin Mindiola took a pass from junior Taylor Nauert and laid the ball in to give the Cougars their game ending lead.

North Putnam went on a 7-2 run to start the second quarter putting them ahead, 17-8. They were controlling the game on both ends of the floor forcing seven Warrior (2-17, 0-5 WRC)Turnovers and only giving up 11 total shots in the half.

"Defensively, I thought we did a good job following scout," Spencer said.

The Cougars had been shooting over 50percent from the field, but missed shots to end the quarter put them at 5-for-10.

After a Warrior timeout called by coach Jeff Thompson his team went on an 8-0 run to end the half only trailing by one. Madison Thompson had two threes after that timeout.

Despite the Warrior run the Cougars maintained the ball on the offensive end. They only had three turnovers for the half.

"We've been cutting down (on turnovers) every game," Spencer said. "We just try to make better decisions, take our time and not force things. Tonight we got a little bit better."

Spencer gathered his team up in the locker room and to open the third quarter Henninger had one of her eight steals and she ran the floor to lay it in.

This is the second consecutive game that Henninger has had eight steals. She also had 13 points, five rebounds and five assists. Most importantly, she only had two turnovers.

"Emilee is starting to understand the match up a little better," Spencer said. "She learning the way we play and the rotation. She's starting to anticipate. She's got great instincts and she's starting to use those in the right places."

North Putnam went on a 7-0 to start the half and from there the Warriors could get no closer.

The Cougars stretched the lead out to as much as 19 in the fourth quarter and they settled with reserves to end the game.

Senior Kayla Clodfelter missed the game because of the Lilly Endowment Scholarship qualifications and senior Ricki Evans stood in her place. Evans had five points and three big offensive rebounds. She only had two turnovers.

"Ricki was really good tonight," Spencer said. "Following the scout defensively, she really worked hard on the defensive end. She made good some good decisions by cutting and getting her hands on the ball. Ricki had the opportunity to play some more minutes tonight and she took advantage of it. She did a good job."

Nauert also had a stellar night with 14 points and seven boards. She had two assists.

North Putnam will host county rival Greencastle this Friday night for its homecoming. The girls' game will start at 6 p.m. followed by the boys' game at 7:30 p.m.


At North Putnam

Turkey Run 6 10 2 9--27

North Putnam 10 7 17 10--44

Scoring

Turkey Run (10-38 5-13 27): Bowling 4-12 4-6 12, Thompson 3-13 0-4 8, Eslinger 2-6 0-1 4, Snodgrass 1-3 0-0 2, Emery 0-2 1-2 1, Awbrey 0-2 0-0 0, Romig 0-0 0-0 0.

North Putnam (16-43 11-17 44): Nauert 4-15 5-6 14, Henninger 5-9 3-4 13, Mindiola 3-5 1-1 7, Evans 2-5 1-4 5, Ma. Smith 1-3 1-2 3, Millican 1-3 0-0 2, Duncan 0-0 0-0 0, Parent 0-0 0-0 0, B. Smith 0-0 0-0 0, Mo. Smith 0-3 0-0 0.

Rebounds

Turkey Run (9 OFF 25 TOT): Eslinger 7, Thompson 5, Bowling 4, Snodgrass 4,Awbrey 2, Emery 2,Romig 2.

North Putnam (10 OFF 25 TOT): Nauert 7, Henninger 5, Mindiola 5, Evans 4, Millican 2, Ma. Smith 2.

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  • So glad they got the W!

    -- Posted by Denise217 on Wed, Jan 28, 2015, at 1:11 PM
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