Taylor Smith, Sports Editor
After winning an overtime thriller in Iowa Falls, the Eagle Grove boys basketball team advanced to face Ridge View in a Class 2A, District 2 contest. Supporters of the purple and gold travelled west to Ida County lastThursday to watch their team take the 20-1 Raptors to the wire.
The Eagle Grove defense forced an abundance of turnovers early in the game. Jaxon Morris and Abe Lin ran the floor for fastbreak layups and the duo both drilled a three pointer to put EG ahead 18-10 after eight minutes.
Morris poured in seven quick points to start the 2nd, and the Eagles were securing offensive rebounds left and right against their much taller opponents. Josh Miller scored his first four points to close out the 2nd, but Ridge View had crept back to even the game at 33.
Miller converted on three powerful takes to the hole in the 3rd quarter and Adrian Whipple showed off his arm strength and accuracy with a full court assist to an open Lin.
The Eagles trailed by four heading into the 4th, but threes from Miller and Morris put EG back up by a point. Ridge View cashed in on a three-point play, but a panicked Raptor defender committed a foolish clear path foul against Whipple. The sophomore guard drained both pressure free throws.
Tensions were through the roof as Old Eagle High trailed 58-56 with just 11 seconds remaining. Unfortunately, Eagle Grove’s attempt to tie the game would not find the bottom of the net.
Morris shot 50% from three and finished with a game-high 17 points. The senior also had six boards and two steals in his final game in an Eagle uniform.
Whipple added seven points, five rebounds, five assists, and three steals, while Lin and Miller scored 16 apiece.
The Eagles finished their 2024-25 season with a record of 10-13.
