Balance leads GHS boys to 67-55 win

CRAWFORDVILLE – The Greencastle boys’ basketball team used a well-balance offense to put up 46 second-half points on its way to a 67-55 road win over Crawfordsville to open the 2018-19 campaign Tuesday night.

After struggling a bit in the first half in taking a 21-19 halftime lead, the Tiger Cubs’ offense got better ball movement, knocked down a few more shots and was deadly from the foul line on its way to 46 points in the second half.

In the second half Greencastle hit 14-of-24 from the floor (58.3 percent) and then converted on 11-of-12 from the foul line in the fourth quarter to seal the opening-game victory.

“This was a good win for us,” Greencastle coach Bryce Rector said. “We struggled a bit in the first half and Crawfordsville did a nice job of trying the get the ball out of the hands of our main ballhandler and we didn’t hit a lot of outside shots, especially in the first half. “

In the second half things seemed to fall into place a little bit better.

“I thought we adapted to what they were trying to do a little better in the second half,” Rector said. “We also told them at halftime to continue to shooting and the shots will start to fall. I thought our big guys really did a nice job of handling the ball as Crawfordsville was forcing it out of the hand of the guards.”

The game stayed close until Benton Parmley hit a clutch three-pointer to put the Tiger Cubs up 36-32 with just under three minutes to play in the third quarter. Greencastle ended the quarter leading 40-36 and then stretched it out in the final quarter thanks to the great free throw shooting.

“We shot a lot of free throws during the offseason,” Rector said. “Last year we had one player hit about 85 percent but the rest of the team hit around 60 percent. We put a lot of time in over the summer and it really showed tonight. Cade (Plew) was very good down the stretch, knocking in some key free throws.”

Plew went 6-for-6 in the fourth quarter as the Tiger Cubs put on a clinic on how to ice a game away at the foul line.

All five starters reached double digits, something which didn’t surprise Rector.

“We knew we were going to be a much more balance team this year,” he said. “Every one of those guys are capable of having a big night, or as we did tonight we can all contribute equally. It makes it tough on other teams when all five players can hurt you.”

Sophomore Brody Whitaker led the way with 15 points, while Plew added 14. Nick Sutherlin tallied 13 and Parmley and Gavin Bollman each scored 11.

Crawfordsville was led by Will Kellerman with 15. Karsten Williamson had 12 and Jesse Johnson-Hall 10.

Greencastle will have very little time to celebrate as it battles Danville on Saturday.

“They are always one of the best teams in this part of the state, and even in the state,” Rector said. “We are pretty young so we are going to have to grow up fast to be able to compete with them.”

GREENCASTLE (67) – Whitaker 6-16 2-2 15, Parmley 3-9 4-5 11, Sutherlin 4-8 3-4 13, Bollman 5-10 1-2 11, Plew 4-5 6-6 14, Wood 0-0 0-0 0, Alexander 1-1 0-0 3, York 0-0 0-0 0. 23-49 FG 16-19 FT 67 TP.

CRAWFORDSVILLE (55) – Williamson 6-10 0-0 12, Scorza 1-8 2-3 4, Kellerman 3-8 7-11 15, Saunders 2-6 1-2 5, Johnson-Hall 3-5 4-4 10, Gonzalez 4-9 0-0 9, Decker 0-0 0-0 0, Heinold 0-0 0-0 0. 19-46 FG 14-20 FT 55 TP

3-Point Goals – Greencastle 5-16 (Whitaker 1-4, Parmley 1-7, Sutherlin 2-4, Alexander 1-1); Crawfordsville 3-13 (Williamson 0-2, Scorza 0-2, Kellerman 2-5, Gonzalez 1-4). Turnovers – Greencastle 15, Crawfordsville 17. Rebounds – Greencastle 31 (Whitaker 8, Bollman 8); Crawfordsville 30 (Saunders 10). Junior Varsity – Crawfordsville 48, Greencastle 43.