Banner Graphic, Volume 16, Number 121, Greencastle, Putnam County, 6 January 1986 — Page 7

South wins Classic for first time in 10 years

By STEVE FIELDS Banner-Graphic Sports Editor Troy Greenlee and Brian Meek are the South Putnam High School basketball team leaders. They combined for 30 points, and 10 rebounds Saturday night at Greencastle High School’s McAnally Center. But it was Mark Sutherlin’s 12 fourth quarter points that held off a Greencastle rally and gave the Eagles their first Putnam County Classic title in 10 years by a 73-67 margin. “I THOUGHT MARK was the turning point in the ball game. We had Troy out with five fouls and Brian had four and he stepped to the forefront,” coach Bill Merkel praised after South’s third straight win. Meek was whistled for his fourth foul at the 1:33 mark of the third quarter and South’s hopes took a serious blow when Greenlee was called for his fourth and fifth violations in an eight-second period at the start of the final quarter. Greenlee sat down with 16 points, four rebounds and four assists with 7:36 left in the game and South’s lead only 53-43. But Sutherlin, who scored a season-high 22 points for the game including a perfect 10 for 10 at the free throw line, hit eight fourth quarter free throws, including three one-and-ones. Greencastle never got closer than 70-65 and that came with 1:14 left to play. GREENCASTLE COULDN’T GET any closer because of poor shooting. The Tiger Cubs shot 36 per cent (23-64) for the game, despite a 50 per cent (9-18) fourth quarter. Along with that the Cubs managed only 64 per cent (21-33) at the free throw line. “I really felt those two areas were the only negatives for us,” coach Doug Miller said after Greencastle fell to 2-6. “We had a definite game plan and we played with it and the kids kept their poise.” Both teams stayed with their game plans. South wanted an upbeat tempo and Greencastle wanted a deliberate halfcourt game. Between the running game and the Cub defense, the Eagles committed 24 turnovers, which kept the contest close. SOUTH SHOT A blistering 70 per cent (28-40) from the floor, 71 per cent (17-24) at the free throw line and won the boards 3530, including an 18-12 second-half rebounding edge. “It seemed like we were committing too

North Putnam snaps losing streak

By CHRIS KNAUER Banner-Graphic Sports Writer By far it wasn’t the easiest win but the consolation honors of the Putnam County Classic went to North Putnam with 67-60 victory over Cloverdale at McAnally Center Saturday night. “We had great balance on offense tonight,” North Putnam coach Bill Brothers said. “Four (players) got in double figures.” CHRIS LYONS LED the way for the Cougars with 25 points. He also led the rebound charts with eight. Others in double figures were Mike Marsteller with 12 and Chris Colvin and Brad Long with 10 apiece. The Clovers were led by Rick Ford with 21 points followed by Hugh Patton with 12. Cloverdale coach James Stewart wasn’t pleased with his Clovers’ performance. “Unlike last night (Friday night’s first round loss to Greencastle) we just weren’t into it,” he said. “Mentally we didn’t play.” TURNOVERS PROVED this. The Clovers lost control 29 times against the Cougars’ 19. However Brothers noted something unusual. “The most surprising statistic to me was the rebounding,” Brothers said. “No matter who’s stat sheet you look at they outrebounded us.” Unofficially the Clovers had 29 boards to

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Cloverdale s Craig Whitaker (left) got a hand on the ball, but also on North Putnam's Kent Jones when he lunged for the steal during Satur-

All-tourney selections Brian Meek, South Putnam Troy Greenlee, South Putnam David Rushing, Greencastle Chris Lyons, North Putnam Hugh Patton, Cloverdale

many fouls and keeping them in the ball game,” Merkel said after the Eagles claimed the Putnam County Bucket. “After we got up early on them basically it was a 10-point ball game.” South jumped out to a 64) lead with Meek scoring off the opening tip and Sutherlin netting a pair of layups on fastbreaks. But after regrouping in a timeout Greencastle tied the score 8-8 when David Rushing opened a 28-point night with five points and Scott Dunn started his 18-point performance. A RUSHING STEAL and layup gave Greencastle its first lead at 10-8. Brian Bridgewater tied the score 10-10 on an offensive rebound bucket before the Cubs took their final lead at 12-10 when Rushing converted another Eagle turnovers into a bucket. Bridgewater tied the game at 12-12 and Meek’s three-point play sent the Eagles into the second period with a 15-14 edge. Sutherlin and Meek increased the margin to 19-14 at the 6:17 mark, Greenlee tossing an allyoop pass inside to the 6-4 Meek. Greenlee and Meek both picked up their second fouls in the quarter, but Rushing’s third foul and resulting move to the bench at 2:55 hurt Greencastle more. Without their leading scorer, the Cub offense was ineffective, as they finished the second quarter hitting just two of 19 shots. “WE TOOK THE shots we should have been taking,” Miller said. South took advantage of the situation, building a 30-19 lead with 1:20 left in the half, Greenlee popping three 18 to 20footers from the wing and Meek and Bridgewater adding a bucket. South opened the second half with a 32-23 lead. Greencastle nibbled it down to 34-29 on a Rushing basket and two more from Dupn. But Meek and Greenlee scored the next two buckets and the lead bounced

the Cougars’ 24. “HOWEVER WE GOT the shots we needed from the stripe,” Brothers commented. “And those definately kept us alive.” North was able to put in 15-of-17 attempts from the line. Cloverdale was six-of-nine. Cougar center Brad Long established the early lead with three field goals in the first quarter. Although Clovers Larry Jinkins and Rick Ford brought their team up to tie in a few cases, Lyons set the Cougar lead at the end of the first quarter, 14-10. LYONS TOOK CONTROL of the boards early in the second stanza but was unable to convert them to points. In fact, the only thing that kept the Cougars alive going into halftime was their seven-of-eight free throw shooting. The Clovers’ only points for the quarter resulted from the field, 8-of-14. The halftime score belonged to North Putnam 33-28. The second half the Cougars began to widen their lead 39-34 when two technicals were assessed, sending the Clovers’ Ford to the line for three points. Brothers called timeout at 4:27, 39-37, following a North foul sending Cloverdale to the line. After the pep talk Lyons began blistering the nets, putting in five field goals which kept his team alive. He wasn’t without competition as the Clovers’ Patton

day night's Putnam County Classic consolation game. Whitaker scored 12 points and Jones four, but it was North Putnam that won 67-60 at

from 13 to 9 points right into the fourth quarter. South held a 52-41 lead when the final period started. MERKEL TURNED TO Sutherlin’s experience as a second-year starter and got excellent bench play from Wes Evans and Bryce Arnold when Greenlee and Meek were forced to set down. “Bryce hasn’t got in too many ball games early, but he’s smart and I knew he would do a good job for us in that situation,” Merkel praised. “Evans works so hard he’s going to create things because he works so hard.” And Sutherlin was perfect at the line. Twice he hit free throws to increase South’s lead to 12 and 11 points and with 5:19 left a pair of Sutherlin free throws gave the Eagles a 60-47 lead. A three-point play by Rushing and a string of four free throws from Kris Nelson and Chris Hanson pulled the Tiger Cubs within eight, 62-54, with just over three minutes to play. However, Bridgewater popped a 17-footer from the wing and Evans netted a three-point play to give South a seemingly secure 67-54 lead with 2:54 remaining. SOUTH COMMITTED NINE fourth quarter turnovers, which gave Greencastle ample opportunities to score. In fact, the Cubs cut the margin to 70-65 with 1:14 left to play on a Hanson offensive rebound basket during a string of three straight Eagle errors. But the margin never dipped below five, as Evans and Sutherlin hit free throws in the final seconds. South now takes a three-game winning streak into a double-home weekend, hosting sectional rival Rockville Friday and once beat South Vermillion Saturday. Greencastle is also home twice next weekend, entertaining West Vigo Friday and Owen Valley Saturday in a West Central Conference game. South Putnam (73) Meek 6-11 2-4 4 14, Brian Bridgewater 6-8 1-3 4 13. Phillips 0-1 0-1 2 0. Greenlee 8-9 0-1 S 16. Sutherlin 6-9 10-10 I 22. Yocom 1-1 2-2 5 4, Evans 1-1 2-3 2 4. B. Arnold 0-0 0-0 0 0Totals EG 28-10, FT 17-24, PF 23 Greencastle (67) Dunn 8-20 2-2 4 20, Sutherlin 2-5 3-4 4 7, Noll 1-4 3-5 3 5. Hanson 2-7 3-5 2 7. Rushing 10-22 8-10 5 28. Durham 0-2 0-0 10, Nelson 0-0 2-6 12, Penley 0-3 0-1 2 0, Hecko 0-1 0-0 0 0Totals FG 23-64, FT 21-33, PF 22 REBOUNDING South Putnam (35)~Braln Bridgewater 8. Meek 6. Phillips 6, Greenlee 4, Sutherlin 4. Yocom 2. Evans 1, Team 4. Greencastle <3O)-Sutherlin 7, Dunn 7, Noll 5, Hecko 3, Hanson 3. Nelson I, Team 4. QUARTERSCORING South Putnam IS 17 20 21-73 Greencastle 14 9 18 26-67 TURNOVERS: SP 24, GHS9

put in four field shots. GOING INTO THE fourth quarter trailing 48-44, the Clovers suddenly lost their momentum. Nine Cloverdale turnovers were giving the Cougars chances to score, which they did, Colvin, Lyons, and Marsteller doing the honors. Clover guard Craig Whitaker picked up eight of 12 points in the stanza. SNAPPING A THREE-game losing streak, North Putnam now takes a 2-6 record into next Friday’s (Jan. 10) West Central Conference game at Cascade. The Cougars are at home Saturday (Jan. 11) against Edgewood in another WCC game. Some North schedules in circulation due not have Saturday’s game listed. Cloverdale, now 145, is off Friday (Jan. 10) but returns to action Saturday (Jan. 11) at Eminence. NORTH PUTNAM (67) Lyons 11-22 3-4 2 25, Marsteller 5-16 2-2112, Colvin 4-9 2-2 2 10. Spires 0-1 2-2 1 2, Long 5-7 (M) 2 10, Allen 0-3 4-4 3 4, Jones 1-4 2-32 4. Totab-FG 26-56, FT 15-17, PF 13. CLOVERDALE (60) Whitaker 6-10 0-1 2 6, Mann 1-6 0-0 12. Jinkins 3-8 1-3 5 7, Patton 8-12 641 2 16, Ford 8-11 5-5 4 21. Garrett 04 0-1 00, McLean 1-2 06 0 2. Price 06 06 0 0. TOTALS-FG 27-53. FT 6-9, PF 15. REBOUNDING North Putnam (24) Lyons 8, Marsteller 3, Colvin 3. Spires 1, Long 1. Allen 5, Jones 3. Cloverdale (29) Whitaker I, Mann 3. Jinkins 3, Patton 8. Ford 7, Garrett 2, McLean 4, Price 1. TURNOVERS: NPI9, CHS 29 TECHNICAL FOULS: Colvin and Brothers, NP QUARTERSCORING North Putnam 14 19 15 1967 Cloverdale ,0 18 **

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Mark Sutherlin came through when South Putnam needed him most Saturday night. The senior guard scored 12 of his season-high 22 points in the fourth quarter to give the Eagles a 72-67 victory over

Injury takes away lU's inside attack

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) starting center, Daryl Thomas, sat out the N 0.15 Hoosiprs’ 77-74 loss to Michigan State, and at least one key Spartan performer thought that, may have provided the winning edge. “They gave us a little bit of relief,” said senior forward Larry Polec, “because we know we are weak inside and we know we do not match up well with many Big Ten teams.” Polec hit four free throws in the last 23 seconds and totaled 18 points as Michigan Ftate, which at one time had a 15-point advantage over Indiana Sunday, held off a second-half comeback and evened its Big Ten record at 1-1. The 6-foot-7 Thomas, Indiana’s second leading scorer at 16.2 points per game and it’s number-two rebounder at 4.7 per game, sprained an ankle in practice Saturday. Neither Coach Bob Knight nor trainer Tim Garl could say when Thomas would return to the lineup. “It was unfortunate that Thomas was out,” Polec said, “but maybe it was a blessing for us. It hurt Indiana inside, but they still could have pushed the ball inside more.” The Spartans, now 10-2 oveall, were up 39-37 at the intermission and ran off an 18-5 scoring run in the first 5:16 of the second half. Indiana stormed back in a 22-9 scoring spree over the next 10 minutes and tied the game 70-70 on junior guard Steve Alford’s three-point play with 1:35 remaining. Sophomore forward Carlton Valentine, who topped the Spartans with 21 points, then made two free throws to give Michigan State the advantage. The Spartans made five of six more free throws in the last 23 seconds, including the four by Polec and one by freshman guard Darryl Johnson, to seal the win, Michigan

McAnally Center. (Banner-Graphic photo by Jeff Siner)

Greencastle in the Putnam County Classic championship game. South's first title in 10 years also brought it the Putnam County Bucket. (Banner-Graphic photo by Jeff Siner).

State’s third straight over the Hoosiers in Assembly Hall and its fifth in the teams’ last six meetings. “I don’t know if it’s because we’re playing IU or at Assembly Hall or Bobby Knight,” Polec said. “We all seem to get up for the game.” Alford, who led all scorers with 23 points, including 17 in the second half, said the current team of Hoosiers lack the intensity that was the hallmark of teams in previous years. Indiana, now 8-4 overall and 0-2 in the league, now has dropped seven consecutive Big Ten games at home. “There’s really no magic,” Alford said. “I think in the past the teams have worked harder than we have and competed harder than we have. That’s sad to say. “We have to become a group of young men that’s not going to lose here or anywhere else. And we’re going to have to have attitude that’s going to dictate that,” Alford said. Senior guard Winston Morgan agreed. “We don’t have the killer instinct. We have to find it somewhere and find it quick. We have to get back to the things that got us playing well early in the season,” said Morgan, who finished with 10 points and nine assists for the Hoosiers. Freshman guard Rick Calloway added 20 points for Indiana. Senior guard Scott Skiles had 20 for Michigan State. MICHIGAN STATE (77) Polec 6-9 6-7 18, Carr 5-8 1-2 11, Valentine 8-9 5-6 21, Skiles 7-12 6-7 20, Johnson 1-8 1-2 3, Walker 1-2 0-0 2, Fordham 0-0 0-0 0, Brown 1-2 0-0 2. Totals 29-50 19-24 77. INDIANA (74) Calloway 9-20 2-2 20, Harris 1-4 3-4 5, Jadlow 1-1 0-0 2, Alford 9-19 5-5 23, Morgan 4-4 2-3 10, Robinson 5-9 04) 10, Eyl 1-1 0-0 2, Brooks 0-0 1-2 1, Witte 0-1 1-2 1. Totals 30-59 14-1874. Halftime—Michigan State 77, Indiana 74. Fouled out—None. Rebounds—Michigan State 32 (Valentine, Carr 7), Indiana 22 (Morgan 9). Assists—Michigan State 12 (Skiles 6), Indiana 17 (Morgan 8). Total fouls —Michigan State 18. Indiana 18. Technicals—Calloway. A—15,714.

Some sectionals rotating; No change at Greencastle

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Threehundred ninety-three teams, the fewest number of entries since 1920, will begin sectional play the first week in March in the 76th annual Indiana High School Athletic Association boys’ basketball tournament. The IHSAA released the tourney site and assignment list today, and the loss of Huntington Catholic dropped this year’s total from the 394 teams of a year ago. Since the peak of 787 teams in 1938, the number of entries has declined steadily because of closings and consolidations. This year’s total is the fewest since 372 teams competed in the 1920 tournament. The pairings within each of the 64 sectionals will be determined in a blind draw at the IHSAA office at 12:30 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 23. The 1986 tournament will get un-

January 6,1986, The Putnam County Banner Graphic

Bears' defense chilling

CHICAGO (AP) Punishing winds, punishing defense and a punishing Jim McMahon-to-Dennis McKinnon passing attack combined to freeze the New York Giants out of the National Football League playoffs. McMahon threw a pair of touchdown passes to McKinnon and Shaun Gayle returned a botched punt for a touchdown as the Bears recorded their third shutout of the year, a 21-0 victory over the Giants that moved Chicago into next week’s conference title game. The wind chill factor of minus-13 wasn't much colder than New York’s offense, which produced just 32 rushing yards and 149 through the air, most after the outcome was decided. “You’ve got to love them,” Chicago Coach Mike Ditka said of his defense, best in the NFL. “We knew going in we couldn’t make any mistakes and we didn’t.” Richard “Sackman” Dent, the NFC sack leader, produced 3(4 sacks of New York quarterback Phil Simms, as the team dumped Simms six times for 60 yards in losses. “We really wanted to take the running game away from (Joe) Morris,” said Dent, who, along with William Perry, knocked the running back out of the game with a slight concussion. Morris, who rushed for 1,336 yards during the season and 141 yards last week against San Francisco, left early in the second half after gaining just 32 yards on 12 carries. The Giants ran only two other running plays in the game, and Simms completed just 14 of 35 passes for 209 yards, as the Bears won the first playoff game held in Chicago since the 1963 title game. “Today it wouldn’t have made any difference where we played,” Chicago linebacker Mike Singletary said. “We dug our own hole,” Simms said. “You’d always like more pass protection, but I expected it about like it was.” “We’re a quarterback’s nightmare,”

Perry said. Although Simms said he suffered from the flu before the game, “sick or not sick, I wouldn’t have played any better.” As for the Chicago defense, “It wasn’t anything out of the ordinary. I like getting hammered,” Simms said with a smile. “They aren’t 16-1 for nothing,” New York Coach Bill Parcells said of the Bears, who were 15-1 in the regular season. “Their offense wasn’t that hot either... yet they are the best defensive team.” The Bears will play the Los Angeles Rams for the National Football Conference title at Soldier Field on Sunday. McMahon completed 11 of 21 passes for 216 yards, and neither quarterback suffered an interception. “I threw spirals,” marvelled McMahon, who wore gloves in the game. “I may wear them all summer. “The wind wasn’t really much of a factor,” he added. “I kind of forgot about the cold.” The wind combined with Chicago’s defense for the game’s first score, when Giants’ punter Sean Landeta grazed the ball on a punt attempt and Gayle picked it up and ran five yards in the first quarter. “The wind just took it,” Landeta said, of the 14 mph winds that swirled through the lakefront stadium. “I dropped the ball and saw it start to move to the right.” Chicago’s offense, which was facing the NFL’s No. 2 defense, finally got untracked in the third quarter. McMahon fired a 23-yard bullet to McKinnon, who snatched it away from Elvis Patterson with 8:48 left. McMahon said the wrong Dennis made the catch. “The play was designed to go to (Dennis) Gentry,” McMahon said. “We had three guys in the area, so I just threw it and Dennis caught it.”

derway at the Fort Wayne Coliseum, which, as usual, is the site of two sectionals. Tourney play there will begin on Monday, March 3. Sectionals with seven or eight teams will start on Tuesday, March 4; with five or six teams, on Wednesday, March 5; and with four teams, on Friday, March 7. All sectional championships are scheduled for Saturday, March 8. All of the changes in sectional tourney hosts follow a rotation pattern. South Vermillion will be the host for the sectional held last year at Clay City; Garrett will be host for the sectional played at DeKalb a year ago; Blackford will be the host for the tourney played at Jay County ; Floyd Central will be the host in a rotation with New Albany; and the Terre Haute sectional rotates from Terre Haute South to Terre Haute North this year.

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