GREENCASTLE GIRLS' BASKETBALL SECTIONAL: Tiger Cub defense makes Mounties tap out of sectional play

On a rare drive to the rim, Southmont's DeLorean Mason found no place to go between Greencastle's Madi Plew (left) and Gloria Brewer (right) during Tuesday's IHSAA Girls' Basketball Class 2A Sectional No. 44 opener. The Tiger Cubs shot well below their normal standard but held the Mounties to 16 points through three quarters to advance with a 55-39 win.

Banner Graphic/TRENT SCOTT

Sometimes, the first game of postseason play is the hardest game to get through.

That will be the hope for Greencastle as both the hosts and Southmont shot 28 percent from the field during Tuesday’s opening game of IHSAA Girls’ Basketball Class 2A Sectional No. 44 play.

The difference was on the defensive end as the Tiger Cubs held the Mounties to eight points in the first half and 14 points through three quarters, building up a sizable lead that withstood a 23-point finish from the hosts in a 55-39 win.

“The bright part of tonight, of which there are two, was that we advanced in the state tournament and our defense in the first half,” Greencastle head coach Doug Greenlee said. “We talked and prepared for (Southmont’s) backdoor offenses and sets; we were able to stay in man-to-man defense all night, which is what we wanted, and didn’t let those plays happen.”

Baskets did not come freely in the opening quarter as it took nearly three minutes before Evie Briones hit the first three of the night.

A second from Emma Hunter and a layup gave Greencastle (20-4) an 8-0 lead with Cheyanne Shaw getting three late points to make it 8-3 after a quarter of play.

The Tiger Cubs’ best offensive spurt of the half came early in the middle of the second quarter as Hunter an Briones both hit threes as part of a 16-1 run with the only other bucket coming from Madi Plew.

For the most part, the hosts could not get their radars up and running but forced the action and were rewarded with 17 free throw attempts in the period, notching 12 tries.

“We had good looks and didn’t take bad shots but weren’t hitting like we had,” Greenlee said about the lack of field goals. “But that’s OK.

“You have to win to keep going in the tournament and we’ll shoot better in the next game. It’s all about getting the opportunity and we’re happy about that.”

Southmont (11-11) got a single basket through Chloe Jenkins and three free throws through Jenkins and DeLorean Mason as the Greencastle defense prevented the visitors from getting into many of their favorite sets.

The finishing touch to the half came after Hunter hit two free throws, stole the ensuing inbounds pass and fed Brewer for a three-point play that made it 30-8 at halftime.

With the situation dire, Southmont’s offense opened up to any and all shots, though the visitors were as successful as the hosts when it came to landing blows from the field.

A more even third quarter was in the cards as Jenkins, Mason and Shaw all hit from the field while Briones notched a pair of threes in reply while Brewer scored off a steal and Hunter hit two free throws, leaving the Tiger Cubs with a 40-16 lead headed into the final eight minutes.

The Mounties finally teed off in the fourth quarter as Mason scored 12 points and Jenkins added six more but many of those baskets were answered by Brewer and Hunter, the pair finishing with 21 and 20 points respectively.

Greencastle moves on to the semifinal round Friday where Cloverdale, who received the bye, awaits.

“We’ve got to sharpen up some things,” Greenlee said ahead of the meeting with the Clovers. “There’s no question about that.

“When the ball doesn’t go in the hole, you don’t look good, but, again, that’s OK. First-round sectional games are never easy, especially the single Tuesday game, and I’m proud of the girls following the defensive gameplan, which is my main concern.”

Scoring

Southmont (12-38 2FG; 2-11 3FG; 9-11 FT) — Mason 18, Jenkins 12, Shaw 5, Douglas 2, Gray 2

Greencastle (8-30 2FG; 7-23 3FG; 18-25 FT) — Brewer 21, Hunter 20, Briones 12, Plew 2

Statistics