Tiger Cubs win county final rematch over Eagles

Greencastle's Gloria Brewer scored 30 points despite being center of attention of the South Putnam defense Friday night, helping the Tiger Cubs take a second win off the Eagles this season 56-39.

Banner Graphic/TRENT SCOTT

Friday’s rematch of the Putnam County Girls’ Basketball Tournament played out almost the same way it did a month ago.

South Putnam started well, Greencastle rallied back to lead by halftime, the Eagles kept things close through three quarters and in the final period, the Tiger Cubs salted the game away, picking up a 56-39 win on the road.

An early round of threes powered South Putnam (5-7, 1-4 WIC) to a 9-2 lead as Joscelyn Pilcher, Chlara Pistelli and Danae Cline each hit from behind the arc in the opening minutes.

Emma Hunter answered with two threes of her own as Greencastle (8-3, 5-1 WIC) used six steals in the quarter to inch ahead 12-9 by the end of the period.

Madie Plew opened the second quarter with a basket, followed by threes from Evelyn Briones and Gloria Brewer that gave the Tiger Cubs a 20-9 lead.

The Eagles rallied as Cline, Pistelli and Kelsey Custis all hit jumpers while Cline chased down a length of the floor rebound for a layup to close the gap to 22-17.

Custis and Pilcher added threes to take a brief 23-22 lead before a three-point play from Brewer and a Briones three gave the visitors a 28-23 lead at the break.

Brewer started the second half with two threes to push the lead to double digits at 34-23 but South Putnam answered back as Cline and Pilcher hit treys around a pair of free throws and a basket from Custis to make it 36-33.

The Tiger Cubs scored the last four points of the quarter through Brewer and Briones to take a 40-33 lead into the final period.

Pilcher and Madison Gardner scored to cut the gap to four but 10-straight points for the visitors, eight points coming from the free throw line, sealed the deal as the hosts’ offense ran out of steam, only scoring three more points the rest of the way.

Brewer led all scorers with 30 points while Hunter (11) and Briones (10) also reached double figures. Pilcher led South Putnam with 13 points while Cline had added 10 points and Custis chipped in nine points.

Scoring

Greencastle (10-22 2 FG; 7-26 3FG; 15-25 FT) — Brewer 30, Hunter 11, Briones 10, Plew 3, Morales 2

South Putnam (6-21 2FG; 7-21 3FG; 6-11 FT) — Pilcher 13, Cline 10, Custis 9, Pistelli 6, Gardner 1

Statistics