Bulldogs stop Cardinals

By LARRY GOFFINET
Sports Editor

CANNELTON—Washington Catholic committed 10 first-half turnovers in a 69-55 boys basketball loss to Cannelton Tuesday.
The Cardinals were charged with three traveling violations in the first 3 1⁄2 minutes. But many of their turnovers were also forced by Cannelton’s defensive pressure.
Whatever the cause for the Cardinals’ turnovers, that was the main difference in the game.
They finished with 16 turnovers compared with just seven for Cannelton.
Other statistics were nearly even, with Cannelton holding a 49.9 percent to 45.3 percent edge in field-goal shooting and Washington Catholic having a 35-34 edge in rebounding.
When the Bulldogs forced turnovers, they generally turned them into points, including 14 in the first half as they took a 33-29 lead.
“We do some good things out of that man-to-man (which the Bulldogs played in the first half) if we do it right,” said Cannelton Coach Brian Garrett. “Tonight we were aggressive in that passing lane.”
They also pushed the ball in transition at times after getting defensive rebounds.
“I thought we did a very good job of getting the ball out,” said Garrett. “That’s something we’ve been harping on all year. And we played unselfish tonight.
“I’m a little concerned with the defensive glass—they ended up with 10 offensive rebounds.”
They led directly to only five points, though. Twice the Cardinals were fouled on shots after offensive rebounds and they missed  3 of the 4 free throws.
Brandon Cook scored 28 points to lead Cannelton on 10 of 18 field-goal shooting and 6 of 8 free throws. He also had four assists and three steals.
Tristan Simmons added 13 points and nine rebounds and Hunter Herzog 13 points and seven rebounds.
Colton Reed and T.J. Hill each scored 15 points for 2-19 Washington Catholic.
Reed, a 6-foot-3 senior forward/center, hit 7 of 9 field-goal attempts but sat out most of the first half in foul trouble.
Cannelton, 8-11, will host Rock Creek Friday at 7 p.m.
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Jayden Morris scored five points in the final 29 seconds as Cannelton’s JV overtook the Cardinals for a 39-38 win.
Morris hit a three-pointer to pull the Bulldogs within one point. After a Cardinal turnover, he scored a go-ahead layup with 0:03 left.
He finished with 16 points and Michael Miller added 15.