Greencastle captures County Tournament, Bucket

The win improved Greencastle, who has now won nine straight, to 15-5.

With an eight game win streak on the line, the Greencastle boy's basketball team also had the pressure of trying to capture a county championship and the bucket Saturday night when it entertained South Putnam in the final of the Putnam County Boy's Basketball Tournament. 

Mission accomplished for the Tiger Cubs, who raced out to a large first quarter lead and managed to hold on down the stretch, escaping the Eagles, 65-59. The win improved Greencastle, who has now won nine straight, to 15-5, while South Putnam fell to 6-12 and saw a two game win streak come to an end.

"Anytime you can walk away with the county, it is a great night. We hit free throws down the stretch. South worked to extend the game, and good coaches find a way to extend games. We found a way to win tonight," Greencastle coach Bryce Rector told GIANT fm after the game. 

After falling behind 3-2 very early in the first quarter, the Tiger Cubs roared back, racing out to a 13-5 edge before settling in for a 15-10 first quarter edge. Greencastle's lead would swell to double digits in the second quarter before both teams headed to the locker room with the Tiger Cubs ahead 30-25. 

Greencastle was paced by Nathan Sutherlin and Trevin Long in the first half, as they scored 14 and eight, respectively. 

"Both had great first halves. As the second half wore on, we had better ball movement and we did nice things on the offensive end," Rector said. 

The halftime break did little to slow Greencastle, who took a 51-36 advantage into the fourth quarter and appeared ready to run away with the win. South Putnam, however, had different plans, as the Eagles chipped away and cut the deficit to 50-55 with just over a minute to play. Greencastle was able to ice the game at the free throw line, going 20-of-29 from the charity stripe in the game to pick up the win.

"It was a typical rivalry game. We have seen a lot of people step up, and multiple guys know their role. We have confidence in our group, and we are playing well at the right time of the year," Rector said. 

Leading the way for Greencastle was Sutherlin, who finished with 21 points. Long added 19 and Sam Gooch added 16 points for Greencastle. 

South Putnam was paced by Khalil Jefferson, who scored 16 points, all in the second half. Wyatt Switzer added 12 and Ty Benton contributed with 11 in the loss.