Although free throws aren’t particularly impressive, they helped the Greenwood boys win two games this past weekend, improving their record to 8-3.
The Wildcats defeated Veritas Academy (51-41) and Tri-Valley (64-60) by draining a total of 41 of 50, or 82%, from the arc.
Greenwood captain Troy Gantt, whose club has occasionally had trouble in that area, said, “We were supposed to shoot the ball well from the well from the free throw line.” We’re hoping to turn the corner and keep shooting that well from the line. In order to win close games, you must make your free throws late.
On January 4, Greenwood defeated Tri-Valley 8–2, powered by Ben Brinser, who scored 15 points and made all six of his free throws in the fourth quarter. Brinser gathered four steals as well. Noah Weller scored 11 points and pulled down four rebounds, while Bronson Moyer recorded a double-double (10 points, 11 rebounds). With eighteen points, the Wildcats bench also had a big impact.
PUBLISH IT The Wildcat In a recent game, Noah Weller takes his shot. (Photo by Brooke Myers)Times of Perry County
Gantt stated, “I thought all eight of the guys who played in the game tonight played fantastic basketball.” They fulfilled their responsibilities, and the bench has been doing that, which is what will help us succeed.
According to Tri-Valley coach Mike Masser, give Greenwood credit. They managed our pressure and made good shots, especially from the foul line. Teams are typically disrupted by our reporters, but not this time. They brought more energy than we did, and they were prepared for us.
After a quarter in which Braeden Doyle scored six of ten points, the Bulldogs did get off to a solid start, leaping to a 17–11 lead.
Trey Porter scored six of his twelve points in the second quarter, but Tri-Valley held the advantage for the whole of it. Brodie Woodard ended the half with a buzzer-beating putback basket to cut the halftime deficit to 31-26. Reserve Jacob Anderson responded with six of eight in the quarter to keep the Wildcats within striking distance.
Gantt remarked, “You love to see guys playing to the horn.” He played all the way to the buzzer, which is something that coaches get excited about, but it would have been very easy to miss the break and attempt to grab the offensive board on that.
Tri-Valley finished the third quarter with a 47-42 lead, maintaining their buffer.
On a Brinser 3-ball, the Wildcats eventually took a 48-47 lead, but Gavin Klock, who finished with 12 points, had the solution to put the Bulldogs ahead 50-48.
For a while, the advantage would fluctuate, but with two minutes remaining, Blake Schwartz, who finished with eight points, eight rebounds, and five steals, fouled out, leaving his team holding a 54-52 edge.