Bulldogs stop Rappites

CANNELTON - Cannelton held New Harmony to 27.0 percent field-goal shooting and beat the Rappites 67-57 in boys basketball Friday.

A large hometown crowd watched the Bulldogs grab their first win, improving their record to 1-3.

New Harmony fell to 1-5.

New Harmony led 7-6 after the first quarter as Cannelton scored just two field goals that period.

But the Bulldogs increased their pace in the second quarter, pressing the Rappites defensively and aggressively attacking the basket.

Cannelton scored 22 points that period and limited the Rappites to 13.

Chase Gerber hit two quick three-point shots to give the Bulldogs the lead early in that quarter.

Aud led the Bulldogs with eight points that period, scoring one field goal and hitting 6 of 6 free throws.

Cannelton led the rest of the way, outscoring the Rappites by one point in each of the next two quarters.

The Bulldogs played a balanced game, with Aud, Purcell, and Ethan Dupont each contributing 12 points.

New Harmony outrebounded Cannelton 30-23 but Cannelton committed five fewer turnovers than the Rappites.

DuPont led the Bulldogs in rebounds with six and Gerber added five. Dooley made four steals.

Cannelton hit 32.8 percent (19 of 58) from the field compared to New Harmony 's 17 of 63.

New Harmony was more successful from the foul line hitting 75.0 percent compared with Cannelton's 61.5 percent. But Cannelton had more attempts, making 24 of 39 to New Harmony's 18 of 24.

Blayne Worman, a 5-foot-8 freshman, led New Harmony with 18 points. He hit seven field goals, including four three-pointers. If the Bulldogs left him open, he hit.

The Rappites began to break down in the fourth quarter, committing turnovers when pressed by the Bulldogs.

Cannelton could taste victory and sealed the game in the last two minutes of play after New Harmony rebounded and shot numerous times but missed.

Reflecting on the Bulldogs' first win, Cannelton Coach, Brian Garrett acknowledged his team needs to "attack the basket, hitting both layups and free throws."

He wants his team to "be fast, but patient; be quick, but in control," he said.

He also gave the Rappites credit, saying, "New Harmony did a good job of battling."

They reduced the Bulldogs' 10-12-point leads, often to four to six points because Cannelton missed some shots in transition.

"You've got to finish," said Garrett.

With this win over New Harmony, the Bulldogs have beaten the Rappites two years in a row at Cannelton under Garrett's command.

The Bulldogs will host Evansville Day Friday at 7:30 p.m.

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The JV Bulldogs won 36-34 as Cody Lawalin scored 13 points and T.J. James added 12.