The last time North battled South in Putnam County it came down to a one-possession game. 

We’ll see if that means tonight’s Putnam County Tournament boys championship game between South Putnam and North Putnam is as close as it was December 2. That's the Friday championship matchup after Thursday’s semifinals were eerily similar to their previous regular season results.

North Putnam and Greencastle provided the drama Thursday.  Cougars sophomore Kaden Helderman connected on what proved to the game-winning three-pointer for the ninth and final lead change of a see-saw fourth quarter as North Putnam got by the host Tiger Cubs, 37-34.

When the two teams met at McAnally Center on January 13 it was North Putnam that rallied from a double-digit deficit for the road win.  While the comeback wasn’t as large in Thursday’s county semifinal it was still another strong fourth quarter for the Cougars who scored 15 points in the last eight minutes after just 22 through three quarters.

North Putnam shot 5-for-23 (22%) from three-point range.  But three of those came in the final period including Helderman’s in the closing seconds.

North Putnam head coach Vince Brooks appreciates his teams play down the stretch of games.  That doesn’t mean he wouldn’t approve a quicker start.

Helderman led North Putnam (11-9)  with 11 points.  Brady Barber and Brayden Monnett each score nine.

Greencastle (3-16) was led in scoring by Sam Gooch with 15.

In the opening semifinal, South Putnam used a 23-11 third quarter to extend what was just a four point halftime lead and advanced to the championship game over Cloverdale, 55-40.

The win was a painful one, however.  6’1” senior Jeremiah Hibbeln started the game trying to come back from a knee injury.  With his left leg heavily taped, Hibbeln suffered a non-contact injury to the knee early in the game and spent the rest of the night on the bench with ice and crutches.

Eagles head coach Kyle Swafford spoke with GIANT fm Sports after the game.

South Putnam (10-5) was led in scoring by Drew Hill with 14 points.  Wyatt Mullin scored 10 off the bench and Cameron Bozell scored nine on three shots from behind the arc.

Cloverdale (1-18) got 17 from Tayt Jackson and 15 points from Noah Betz.

Tonight’s third place game will pit Greencastle and Cloverdale against each other at 6 p.m.  South and North Putnam, meanwhile, will play for the county title. 

South Putnam lost at North Putnam on December 2, 45-43.

Giant FM Sports coverage begins at 5:45 p.m. on 94.3, www.giant.fm and the GIANT fm app.