Published: November 21, 2008 08:27 pm         

South girls challenged at Paris

PARIS, IL — It was a pattern that started early and repeated itself throughout the girls high school basketball game: visiting Terre Haute South would move comfortably ahead, host Paris would rally, and the Braves would spurt again.

So even in the fourth quarter, when the host Tigers seemed to have a little momentum on their side, the score never got closer than eight points and South came back to Indiana on Thursday with a 61-47 victory.

“That’s a tough team, especially playing here,” coach Dave Cassell of South said in appreciation of the Tigers afterward. “They have a nice system.”

“All the credit to a very fine Lady Braves team,” echoed coach Tom Punzelt of Paris. “They’re always a good test for us early in the season.”

South never trailed, and before Paris even scored its standout post player Sarah Maggert had picked up two fouls trying to guard Dragana Grbic of the Braves.

Paris tied the score at 5-5 and was within 10-8 after Erin Waggoner 3-pointers, but then South got the last 11 points of the quarter. The Braves hit nine of their first 11 shots from the field, Tessa Johnson and Krista Smith combining for 16 first-quarter points.

“[The Braves] got [the ball] to their assets early and took advantage of them,” Punzelt said later.

Paris started its first comeback early in the second quarter, when a basket by Kali Fuqua and two free throws by Waggoner cut the lead to 21-12. Smith hit a 3-pointer, but Madison Martin of Paris matched it and Waggoner added a free throw to make it 24-16.

One more trade of baskets kept the Tigers within eight points, but then Johnson got a free throw, a basket and a steal that set up a layup by Randa Rector. That flurry triggered an 11-2 run and South led by 17.

The margin stayed around 15 points most of the third quarter, but as the fourth period began the Tigers got going again. Martin hit two free throws after an offensive rebound, got an assist on a basket by Maggert, then hit a 3-pointer that cut the lead to 50-42.

The Braves responded with a spread offense they used liberally throughout the game — “It stops [the opponent’s] momentum and makes them work,” Cassell explained afterward — and the Tigers fouled Haley Seibert. Seibert, one of the few Braves all night who looked comfortable at the foul line, sank both shots, then stole the ball to set up a layup by Johnson.

A three-point play by Martin brought Paris back within 54-45, and a steal by Mattie Milbourn sent Waggoner toward the basket for a potential layup. But Johnson blocked the shot, grabbed the rebound and drew a foul, and the Tigers’ final threat had been snuffed along with the layup attempt.

Johnson also led all scorers with 23 points and led the Braves with seven rebounds, while Smith scored 15 despite a forgettable free throw performance.

Martin had a stellar game for the Tigers with 17 points, a game-high nine rebounds and four assists, while Maggert scored 13 and Waggoner nine.

“She’s one of our seniors who stepped up tonight,” Punzelt said of Martin.