PUTNAM COUNTY CLASSIC: Tiger Cubs ride Sutherlin, Adams, overcome 11 Eagle threes to reach final

On a night where South Putnam hit on more than 50 percent of its threes, Drew Hill (back) has one blocked by Greencastle's Anthony Adams, who turned the play into a layup on the other end for two of his 14 points on the night. The Eagles hit 11 threes Thursday night in the opening game of the Putnam County Classic but the Tiger Cubs got 27 points from Nathan Sutherlin to power their way to the final 69-54, where the hosts will face North Putnam in the Classic final.

Banner Graphic/TRENT SCOTT

When the Putnam County Classic rolls around every year, one thing you come to expect is teams playing extremely hard.

The opening game of the Classic was no exception as Nathan Sutherlin and Anthony Adams combined for 41 points for Greencastle, which outlasted South Putnam 69-54 Thursday night.

The Cubs came out strong, scoring the game’s first eight points, five coming from Taygan McRoberts and three from Adams. After Drew Hill got the Eagles on the board, McRoberts put back a rebound for seven quick points.

The Eagles countered from long range as Cameron Bozell hit three from behind the arc and Hill added one to keep the game close. Adams ended the quarter with a three of his own to put Greencastle up five, but McRoberts left with an injury and Sam Gooch had two quick fouls.

The game would remain at about a five-point advantage for the Cubs through the second as both teams punched and counter punched.

Hill, Bozell and Wyatt Mullin all hit three balls for South. Greencastle answered with Cody Evans getting into the scoring with five in the quarter. With it a three-point game, Adams closed the quarter with a basket as Greencastle took a 35-31 lead into the half.

Greencastle was able to put a little distance between itself and South Putnam behind Sutherlin, who exploded for 17 points in the third quarter, getting to the basket consistently.

Hill was able to keep the Eagles within reach with seven in the quarter, while South was able to hit three more from behind the arc, in a very entertaining game. The Eagles would be able to get within three and then Greencastle would answer.

South’s shooting cooled down in the final quarter, but a quick basket from Mullin pulled them within six as Gooch fouled out for Greencastle just 35 seconds in.

Sutherlin and Adams were able to pick up the slack and push the lead to 10. A big late three from Conner Sullivan would put the game out of reach and send the Tiger Cubs to the title game Friday night against North Putnam.

“We faced adversity during the game and really all week. We had people sick and foul trouble for a majority of the night and some injury issues while South was shooting extremely well. We come out with a 15-point lead and I am pretty happy with that,” Greencastle coach Bryce Rector said.

South made 11 three pointers on the night. Drew Hill and Cameron Bozell each had 19 for the Eagles. Wyatt Mullin also finished in double figures with 11.

Bozell and Parker Harris each had four rebounds as the Eagles will now have to bounce back and play in the consolation game Friday night against Cloverdale.

“We shot it well. We had a lot of keys for the game and we did a good job on those. We held Gooch and Evans to single digits combined and most nights, you would come out with a win. They had a couple guys step up and hat’s off to those guys for stepping up. We did about everything wanted to do, we just couldn’t get over the hum,” South Putnam coach Josh Estridge said.

Team Stats

Individual Stats

Scoring — (G) Sutherlin 27, Adams 14, Evans 9, McRoberts 7, Amis 6, Sullivan 6; (SP) Hill 19, Bozell 19, Mullin 11, Jefferson 3, Harris 2

Rebounding — (G) Sutherlin 4, Sullivan 4, Adams 3, Amis 3, McRoberts 2, Evans 2, Gooch 2; (SP) Harris 4, Bozell 4, Hill 3, Jefferson 2, Mullin 1