South Putnam, Greencastle post wins in Putnam County Tourney

Coming into Thursday's Putnam County Basketball Tournament semi-final Thursday evening, the South Putnam girl's basketball team needed a win in the worst of ways.

After opening the season 2-0, Brian Gardner's team suffered three straight losses, but the Eagles managed to right the ship, defeating North Putnam, 36-31 in the county tournament opener. 

With the win, South Putnam improved to 3-3 on the young season, while the Cougars fell to 4-2 under first year head coach Kelly Windmiller. 

After opening the game with a quick 5-0 run, the Eagles settled in for an 11-8 lead after the first quarter despite being without veteran Chlara Pistelli, who went down with an apparent leg injury midway through the frame. 

Despite losing Pistelli, South Putnam continued to get solid efforts out of Lyla Rissler and Danae Cline in the second quarter, as the two managed to help the Eagles take a 17-11 lead into the halftime break.

North Putnam came out of the locker room on fire, as Melanie Davies hit a basket and Hailee Daigle got a rebound and putback to trim the lead to 17-15 minutes into the third quarter. The Eagles rebounded and took a 24-21 lead into the final quarter and appeared to have things under control, but North Putnam refused to go away quietly. A three pointer by Jacy Huffman tied the game at 28-28 and a three from Daigle put the Cougars ahead 31-30. The lead would not be maintained, as South Putnam's Rissler hit her third three to put the Eagles ahead 33-31. 

South Putnam was led by Rissler, who scored 15 points, while Cline added 11. For North Putnam, who outrebounded the Eagles, 30-12, Davies led the way with 15 points, 10 of which came in the second half. 

Greencastle turns back Cloverdale

Coming in with only eight players on the roster, Cloverdale head coach J.J. Wade knew fouls would be at a premium for his team. 

And, despite being short on numbers, the Clovers gave the Tiger Cubs plenty of fits in the second half, before falling 37-31 to Greencastle. The win improved the Tiger Cubs to 2-4, while Cloverdale fell to 0-5. 

After racing out to an 8-3 lead after the first quarter, Greencastle looked to be in solid position at the half, taking a commanding 23-8 lead into the lockers. However, Cloverdale came storming right back in the third quarter, paced by Erin Rubeck, who scored seven of her team high 16 points in the third quarter and kept Cloverdale in the game. 

Despite falling behind by double digits, the Clovers continued to chip away before the final score became realistic. 

Ali Dobbs hit six three pointers en route to a game high 22 points. Emily Hunsinger finished with eight for Greencastle, who finished with 26 rebounds. 

Cloverdale was led by Rebeck, who scored 16 and Sarah Nichols added five more points for the Clovers. 

On Saturday, Cloverdale and North Putnam will battle at 6 p.m.Saturday, with Greencastle taking on host South Putnam after for the right to cut down the nets.