Eaton falls to Edgewood, 62-50

0

EATON — Eaton’s boys’ basketball team had its best offensive half of the season against Edgewood on Tuesday, Jan. 10. Unfortunately, the Eagles were unable to carry the momentum into the second half and lost to the Cougars, 62-50.

On Friday, Eaton again got off to a good start, but could not handle the Spartans’ pressure defense and lost to Valley View in SWBL Southwestern Division action.

Eaton scored 36 points in the first half against Edgewood, led by junior guard Grant Sullender with 20. Sullender hit 5 three-pointers, two field goals and a free throw in the two quarters.

“Edgewood was a tale of two halves,” Eaton coach Dave Madden commented. “We played one of our best halves of the season in the first half. The ball movement was crisp and we were finding the open guy. Grant had a great first half … . the second half was a different story.”

Both teams got the offense going in the first quarter. Eaton fell behind early but battled back by the end of the period. Aaron Tolliver’s tip-in at the buzzer tied the score at 17-17.

Sullender took over the second period with 14 points, including 3 three-pointers. Eaton was able to build a lead during the quarter and went into halftime up 36-29.

The second half was much different for the Eagles as Edgewood made halftime adjustments and picked up the defensive pressure. Despite Eaton’s success in the first half, the Cougars have been stingy defensively throughout the season. Coming into the game with an 8-2 record, Edgewood has held their opponents under 50 points seven times in their first 10 games.

“We didn’t match their intensity and we became very timid in the half.” Madden added.

The Cougars outscored Eaton 23-5 in the third period and took a 52-41 advantage. The two teams played even in the final period, but Edgewood maintained the advantage.

Sullender ended the game with 23 points for the Eagles. Trevor Pittman and Donnie Nicodemus each added eight.

Eaton went into their scheduled game with Valley View on Friday, with a 5-7 record. They faced the Spartans looking for their first SWBL Southwestern Division win of the season.

After an even first quarter, VV picked up the full-court defensive intensity and outscored the Eagles 26-6 in the second period. The Spartans went on to take a 72-57 win.

“We played a very good first quarter against Valley View, then they started pressing us and we panicked and rushed more than we should have … started to turn the ball over and not getting shots.”

Eaton actually outscored the Spartans 41-36 in the second half, but could not overcome the halftime deficit.

Madden added, “We have to limit our turnovers to be successful like we were at the beginning of the season.”

Eaton was schedule to host Franklin on Tuesday, Jan. 17, and Monroe on the following Friday. The Eagles are now 5-7 on the season, 0-4 in the SWBL.

Eaton senior Trevor Pittman drives against the Edgewood defense in the first half of the Eagles’ game on Tuesday, Jan. 10. Pittman hit two three-pointers in the first half, but was held in check in the second half. He finished with eight points for the game.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/41/2017/01/web1_EATON-BB-1-4.jpgEaton senior Trevor Pittman drives against the Edgewood defense in the first half of the Eagles’ game on Tuesday, Jan. 10. Pittman hit two three-pointers in the first half, but was held in check in the second half. He finished with eight points for the game.

Junior Grant Sullender was “on fire” in the first half of the Eagles’ game against Edgewood. Sullender scored 20 points in the half, including five three-pointers.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/41/2017/01/web1_EATON-BB-2-4.jpgJunior Grant Sullender was “on fire” in the first half of the Eagles’ game against Edgewood. Sullender scored 20 points in the half, including five three-pointers.

Senior point-guard Lew Bowser drives the basket against two Edgewood defenders.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/41/2017/01/web1_EATON-BB-3-4.jpgSenior point-guard Lew Bowser drives the basket against two Edgewood defenders.

By Deron Newman

For The Register-Herald

No posts to display