Colin Beck pulls down an offensive rebound during the second quarter of Tuesday’s GRC East Division game against Putnam County.
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Even as Gallatin struggled to keep pace with Putnam County on Tuesday night, a unique and rare scoring duel kept fans on both sides of the gym on the edge of their seats.
Putnam County defeated Gallatin, 74-64, in their Grand River Conference East Division opener but the level of competitiveness was evident in the play of each team’s leading scorer.
Bulldog junior Jett Simmons scored a career-high 43 points in Gallatin’s losing effort and his output was nearly matched on the other side of the scoreboard by Midget senior Calvin Heidenwith, who torched the net for 40 points in his team’s win.
Simmons’ total was the highest GHS single game score on record since 1973, when then senior Keith Morrissey put up a record 46 points in a winning effort against Bethany. John Brown scored 45 points for Gallatin in a game against Plattsburg during the 1946-47 campaign. The only other 40-point effort on record was from Lynn Leopard (40) against Jamesport in 1965-66.
Simmons put 20 points in the scorebook in the first half and finished with seven three-pointers. Heidenwith had 15 points at the break and he finished with six three-pointers.
Putnam County led, 20-19, at the end of the opening quarter and expanded the lead to 41-29 at intermission. The Bulldogs held their ground in the third quarter, staying within 56-44, and were able to cut their deficit to single digits in the fourth period.
Chad Walker and Colin Beck added eight and six points to Gallatin’s scoring total.
Vs. Lathrop
The Bulldogs hit seven of eight free throws in the final 2:08 Monday night to hold off Lathrop, 50-46. The game’s final ten points all came from the foul line.
Simmons broke a 43-43 tie with a pair of charity tosses. Morgan Corwin added two more by the 1:47 mark to give the Bulldogs a 47-43 cushion. Simmons would add two more free throws and Corwin one to offset Lathrop’s three foul shots down the stretch.
The Mules led, 9-2, in the early going but the Bulldogs fought back to within three points at the end of the opening quarter and tied the game, 23-23, on Colin Beck’s shot with 1:15 to play in the half.
A Chad Walker basket late in the third period gave Gallatin its first lead, 31-30, but the momentum swung both ways all the way to the final horn.
Simmons and Walker led Gallatin with 16 and 12 points, respectively. Corwin added 11 for the winners.
Gallatin hosts Princeton on Friday in more GRC East Division action.