Before the start of the game, the Eagle Grove gymnasium held a special moment to honor and represent those battling cancer, as the ceremony concluded with a moment of silence and bouquet of flowers for each person. One can only imagine the determination in the players as they readied for their first matchup in the new year.
The first quarter for the Eagles remained close, with the Wolverines just a point or two ahead for the majority. And when the lead just began to slip away from the Eagles, Drake Canavan sank a three pointer to make it just a one point lead for the Wolverines. The Wolverines, however, responded quicker as they changed the score from 10-9 to 13-9. The Eagles remained strong and present in the match, as the first quarter ended 17-13 with the Wolverines in the lead. The Eagles struggled to match the pace and speed of the Wolverines in the second quarter. With defensive errors and passing mistakes, the Eagles helped West Bend pile their lead over them. The second quarter also saw the lack of marking the Wolverines as the first half concluded with a 34-21 lead for West Bend.
During halftime, the crowd witnessed an incredible performance from the cheerleaders, as they entertained the Eagle Grove supporters while the second half awaited its commencement.
The third quarter saw repetition in the Eagles with some incomplete passes. Defensively, the Eagles improved as they managed to intercept the basketball from West Bend and create more opportunities. The third quarter saw the first basket with 2:40 in, as the Wolverines increased their lead to 36-21. The third quarter ended 42-26 with the Wolverines on top. The crowd was pumped and energized as they proudly hollered their “Eagle Spirit” before the final quarter. The Eagles remained strong and continued to pressure the Wolverines, despite the score difference. You didn’t even have to look at the time, or who was coming in as the match neared its end. With cheering from the fans, you knew exactly who was coming in and pumping up the crowd…it was Jaden “The Half-Court Crusher” Armstead, who crushed three half-court shots before the start of the game. With 1:20 left, Armstead marched onto the court with his arms raising up and down. The gymnasium echoed with cheering as he hopped onto the court and then obtained the ball. First shot…bounces off the rim. Second shot…bounces off the rim again. Third shot…SCORE! On his third shot, Armstead crushed his signature shot and delivered three points for the Eagles. The match ended 53-36 with the Wolverines taking home the win.
“Monday’s game was our annual Coaches vs Cancer night. Throughout the night we had silent auctions and a couple of raffles. We were able to raise $3,898 for the American Cancer Society,” Pedersen commented on the Coaches vs. Cancer night. Pedersen also shared his insightful thoughts on the opening matchup of the new year, stating, “We came out and played an ok first half but lost our focus in the second half. This was our first game back after a long 12 day stretch without a game, and it showed. At times we looked slow and a step late on many loose balls and defensive opportunities. We were able to do some good things throughout the game but West Bend did a great job playing to their strengths and it proved to be too much for us.”
Jordan Morris led the charts with 12 points, three rebounds, four assists, and two steals. Drake Canavan scored eight for the Eagles, with three rebounds and three steals. Jaxon Morris scored six with four rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Tate Richardson scored four with six rebounds.
The Eagles came out of winter break with determination and drive as they battled West Bend in the 2022 opener. Their second matchup of the new year is scheduled for a 6 PM tipoff on Tuesday, Jan. 4, versus North Union.
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