Tiger Cubs make dramatic 24-hour U-turn to down Chargers

Many times, coaches say that playing soon after a particularly draining defeat is the best thing for a team, not allowing them to dwell on what had previously transpired in its last outing.

Greencastle proved the adage to the fullest extent after a humbling loss at Cloverdale Monday night, turning around to play its most complete game of the season Tuesday against North Montgomery, knocking down 10 three-point shots and fending off a late Charger rally for a 59-48 win.

“We had a nice little talk after Monday, not very long, about being more aggressive offensively and having each other’s back,” Greencastle head coach Doug Greenlee said. “We wanted them to enjoy the game and relax, not put too much pressure on themselves and execute.

“My goodness, did they ever. It was a really fun night for them as we had one of these coming.”

North Montgomery (11-7) took its only lead of the game with the first points of the night as Katie Rice scored after a block on the other end.

Evelyn Briones responded with her first three of the night, followed by one from Emma Hunter, before Briones dropped two more to make it 12-3 before Rice scored to make it 12-5 at the end of the first quarter.

Hunter hit her second of the game, matching Greencastle’s (3-15) total from the previous night in just 9:29 if game time.

Raigan Chavez and Ali Dobbs added baskets before Anna Zellers dropped a pair of threes in and Hunter hit her third to make it 29-11.

Zellers added a floater to make it a 20-point game while Rice added two free throws to end the half with the visitors trailing 31-13.

The Tiger Cub lead would reach its zenith on Briones’ fourth three of the night, making it 36-15 early in the third quarter but six-straight points from Rice brought the lead down to 15 at 36-21.

Briones hit her fifth and final three, followed by a steal and score from Dobbs, to push the lead back to 20 before North Montgomery scored the final seven points of the quarter through a pair of Madi Welch free throws, a Rice putback and a three-point play from Piper Ramey.

Chances to extend the lead early in the final quarter of play went by the wayside as Greencastle missed the front end of all three one-and-one trips to the line, leading 43-32 with just under four minutes to play.

Once Rice hit two free throws to bring the lead down to single digits, however, the Tiger Cubs hit their next eight-straight foul shots as Chavez hit four in a row and Briones and Hunter dropped two each.

The makes were crucial as the Chargers had managed to get the lead down to seven after Welch hit two free throws then stole an inbounds pass and got a putback basket to make it 47-40, followed by a Piper layup and basket by Hadley Broadwater to make it 51-44.

A drive from Lydia Dugard made it 51-46 with just over a minute to play but in a crucial sequence, Hunter hit 1-of-2 at the line, North Montgomery had to earn a jump ball call and Dugard was called out of bounds trying to drive the baseline on the ensuing play.

Rice would then leave the game with a medical issue before the hosts beat the Charger full court press over the top to Madi Plew, who slotted home a wide open layup to make it 54-46.

From there, Greencastle sank five of its last six attempts at the line to secure its biggest win of the season.

“This is a game-changer for the girls,” Greenlee said about the win, the first to come at home. “Hopefully this gives the girls the confidence and drive that this is fun.

“We’re not always going to shoot like we shot tonight but it shows the girls that they’re capable of making good decisions.”

Briones led all scorers with 21 points with Hunter chipping in 15 points and Zellers adding nine points. Rice had 20 points and 12 rebounds to lead North Montgomery while Ramey added 11 points and Welch scored 10 points.

Greencastle faces North Putnam Friday night with Greenlee excited to see how the girls kept things going.

“North Putnam is an excellent team that beat us handily in the county tournament,” Greenlee said. “We will see what game plan we have for them.

“This score will surprise some people. It tell you on any given night in high school basketball that anybody can beat anybody.”

Scoring

North Montgomery (18-39 2FG; 0-7 3FG; 12-14 FT) — Rice 20, Piper 11, Welch 10, Dugard 5, Broadwater 2

Greencastle (7-18 2FG; 10-19 3FG; 15-25 FT) — Briones 21, Hunter 15, Zellers 9, Chavez 6, Dobbs 4, Plew 4