Cook, Northview fend off North Putnam rally

BAINBRIDGE – The Northview Knights were “Cooking” at North Putnam high school in Friday night’s Western Indiana Conference matchup against the Cougars.

Senior Drew Cook knocked down an efficient 35 points and the Knights held off a furious fourth-quarter rally by North Putnam to escape with a 68-64 victory.

The Knights held a 15-point lead twice during the contest as the Cougars never led but needed a couple of late free throws to hold on for the victory over the never-say-die North Putnam squad. The win boosted Northview to a 2-3 record and 2-1 in the WIC. North fell to 3-3 and 2-2 in conference play.

“I am so proud of this team’s fight, effort and resiliency,” North Putnam head coach Vince Brooks said.

The Knights looked like they were going to run the Cougars out of the gym early on. Northview jumped out to a quick 9-0 lead in the game. Cook scored on a couple of layups, Christian Roembke hit a trey and Jackson Farris had a jumper.

The Cougars maintained contact as Jalen Windmiller hit a three to open the scoring for North and the Cougars stayed within striking distance as freshman Isaac Pickel scored an old-fashioned three-point play to end the quarter as Northview led 21-14 after the first break.

Cook had 10 points in the first quarter for Northview and bettered that in the second period. The senior picked up 12 points in the second stanza as his jumper with 2:13 left gave the Knights a 37-22 lead, but North Putnam would rally, mainly at the free throw line, knocking down four shots at the stripe while Windmiller hit a trey late as the Cougars would trail 41-29 at halftime.

“He (Cook) is an elite shot maker. He is a really special player,” Brooks said of the Northview senior who reached the 1,000-point club with his 35 points on the night.

Both teams battled evenly to open up the second half. North would rally a bit, but Northview would answer. The Knights would make a small late run in the period and ended it on a Roembke three-pointer to get another 15-point lead at 57-42 heading into the final period of play.

The Cougars would open the fourth quarter with a 7-0 run. Nolan Hackleman hit a three-pointer and then the parade to the foul line would start for North Putnam. The Cougars had the Knights backpedaling and North would consistently, as they had all game, get to the free throw line. North cut the lead to 57-49 forcing a Northview timeout.

The timeout did not slow the Cougars who continued to chip away as they cut the lead to 61-57 on a Pickel layup with 2:39 left to play. The lead remained two possessions until Hackleman hit a baby hook inside to make it a two-point game at 63-61 with just 45 seconds left.

Cook hit 5-of-6 free throws down the stretch for Northview to keep the Cougars at bay. He needed all of them as a clutch Kaden Helderman three-pointer got the Cougars within one point at 65-64, but that was as close as they would get. North did have chance down 66-64 to tie or win it but couldn’t get a shot off and Cook iced it with two more charity tosses for the 68-64 margin.

“What can you say? Brayden Monnett’s poise and leadership, the play of Brady (Barber), Hackleman and everyone was outstanding. Helderman hit a big three. I could not be prouder of our team and how they fight,” Brooks said.

NORTHVIEW (68) -- Cottee 4-10 1-3 10, Cook 14-21 7-8 35, Goff 0-4 4-4 4, Roembke 5-10 0-0 14, Farris 1-2 1-2 3, Johnson 1-4 0-0 2, Fowler 0-0 0-1 0, Buell 0-1 0-0 0, Bell 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 25-52 FG, 13-18 FT, 68 TP.

NORTH PUTNAM (64) – Windmiller 2-3 2-2 8, Hackleman 4-9 9-15 20, Barber 2-5 0-1 5, Farrington 0-0 2-2 2, Monnett 4-10 7-11 16, Helderman 2-3 0-0 5, Pickel 3-5 2-5 8, Garriott 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 17-37 FG, 22-36 FT, 64 TP.

3-point shooting – NV 5-19 (Cottee 1-2, Cook 0-3, Goff 0-3, Roembke 4-8, Johnson 0-3), NP 8-18 (Windmiller 2-3, Hackleman 3-5, Barber 1-2, Monnett 1-4, Helderman 1-2, Garriott 0-2) Rebounds – NV 32 (Cottee 12, Goff 5, Roembke 1, Farris 3, Johnson 1, Fowler 2, Buell 2) NP – 27 (Windmiller 2, Hackleman 6, Barber 5, Farrington 2, Monnett 4, Helderman 1, Pickel 1, Garriott 1) FG Pct. – NV 48.1, NP 45.9. FT Pct. – NV 72.2, NP 61.1. Turnovers – NV 18, NP 21.