Down three games. Not a single win yet. ‘Is the season over?’ some might speculate.
Well on Tuesday night the Eagle Grove Eagles just might have erased that thought, as they earned their first win of the season over the Belmond-Klemme Broncos. Traveling to Belmond, the Eagle boys were ready for another conference matchup, hoping not to go 0-4. And their hopes came true as they worked and hustled for their victory over the Broncos. Now 1-3, the Eagles will continue the season with, as Coach Ryan Pedersen hopes, “a little momentum for our team as we head further into the month of December.”
After a hard-fought battle between both teams, the Eagles left triumphantly. Delivering the most points for the team SO Drake Canavan as he contributed 20 points with five rebounds, and a steal. Two other players contributed points to the team’s success, JR Jordan Morris with 11 points, seven rebounds, and a steal, along with SR Jensen Cooper as he added another 10 points to the scoreboard with two rebounds, two assists, and a steal. Cooper played a major role in the Eagles’ defense as well. “Jensen Cooper played a great game. Not only did he score in double figures, but he also played great defense. Jensen took 4 charges and rebounded well” said coach Pedersen, as he also applauded the entire team for their great effort, pinning the Broncos down to 28 points only. It took a bit of a slow start for both sides, ending the first quarter 7-6 with the Eagles in the lead. By halftime, the Eagles kept the lead theirs as they went into the third quarter with a 16-9 lead. The third quarter saw the Eagles lose points, as they led up 12 and scored only seven. But the Eagles kept control. Up two points by the end of the third and approaching the final quarter with a 23-21 lead, the Eagles took off. The game could have continued its tight race, but the Eagles soared over the Broncos. Scoring 18 points, while only letting up seven, the Eagles sealed the deal in the fourth quarter, ceasing any possible chance for the Broncos to come back as they added bucket after bucket to the scoreboard, ending the match in a 41-28 victory.
The hardships of losing have been experienced three times already this season, and it’s been a tough season so far. Now with their first win, the Eagles can lift their heads up high, ready to take on more of the competition with possibly some more wins, possibly some more losses, but the guarantee of experience and learning from each game.
“As a team we have a lot of great talent coming up,” added SR Jensen Cooper, as he responded to his confidence for the future of the Eagle Grove Eagles basketball team. He continued, “and a lot of young guys who can, and are, taking a lot of responsibility this year on Varsity and JV. I can’t wait to come back in the future and see how far they have come.” Cooper, along with the rest of his teammates will be seeking to capture another win on Friday as they will host Bishop-Garrigan on Friday, December 10, at 7:45 PM.
