EATON — Eaton’s boys’ basketball team hosted Bellbrook on Friday, Dec. 9, and dropped its first game of the season, 66-45. The Eagles are now 3-1 overall and 0-1 in SWBL Southwestern Division play.

The two teams came into the game from different perspectives — Bellbrook looking to improve its shooting and Eaton hoping to maintain momentum from its fast start to the season.

Bellbrook looked to bounce back after dropping its season opener to Brookville, 53-35. In that game the team shot just 24 percent overall – 3-for-15 on three-pointers.

The Golden Eagles came out strong offensively against Eaton and shot 50 percent for the game. That included 10 three-pointers. Bellbrook’s three top scorers went 8-for-12 from three-point range.

Eaton, which had similar shooting success in its previous game against Preble Shawnee, shot just 38 percent on Friday. The Eagles shot 50 percent from the field against the Arrows, including eight three-pointers – but, struggled against Bellbrook.

Bellbrook shot well from behind the three-point arc in the first quarter and Eaton was unable to keep up the pace. The quarter ended with Eaton down 21-10.

Eaton struggled offensively throughout much of the game, while Bellbrook got off to a great start in both halves, scoring 20-plus points in both the first and third quarters.

The game featured two of the Southwestern Buckeye League’s top scorers – Eaton’s Trevor Pittman and Bellbrook’s Donnie Crouch. Going into the game, Pittman and Crouch were first and second in scoring in the SWBL. Both coaches put defensive emphasis on limiting their touches.

Crouch led Bellbrook with 23 points, including 3-for-4 in three-point shots. Pittman was held well below his season average with just 11 points and was 0-for-4 in three-pointers. Overall, Eaton was 5-for-14 from behind the three-point arc.

Junior Grant Sullender led Eaton with 14 points. Danny Howard pulled down 10 rebounds and had six points. Howard is average 10.0 rebounds per game after four games.

Eaton was scheduled to play at Monroe on Tuesday, Dec. 13, and then return home to play Oakwood on Friday.

Senior Danny Howard has reached double-figures in rebounding in all but one of the Eagles’ games. He pulled down 10 boards against Bellbrook, right at his season average.

http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/41/2016/12/web1_EATON-BB-3.jpgSenior Danny Howard has reached double-figures in rebounding in all but one of the Eagles’ games. He pulled down 10 boards against Bellbrook, right at his season average.

Senior Lew Bowser is the basketball “quarterback” for the Eagles. Bowser’s leadership from the point-guard position has been key to the team’s early-season success.

http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/41/2016/12/web1_EATON-BB-2.jpgSenior Lew Bowser is the basketball “quarterback” for the Eagles. Bowser’s leadership from the point-guard position has been key to the team’s early-season success.

Eaton junior guard Grant Sullender has picked up his offense in the Eagles’ last two games. After scoring just five points in both of Eaton’s first two games, Sullender had 19 points in the win over Preble Shawnee and 14 against Bellbrook.

http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/41/2016/12/web1_EATON-BB-1.jpgEaton junior guard Grant Sullender has picked up his offense in the Eagles’ last two games. After scoring just five points in both of Eaton’s first two games, Sullender had 19 points in the win over Preble Shawnee and 14 against Bellbrook.