Eaton girls win 2 of 3

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EATON — It was a busy week for Eaton’s girls’ basketball team. The Eagles played three games in addition to holding its annual Fun and Fitness Night for girls in grades 1-6.

The Eagles came up two points shy of completing a perfect week on the court.

Eaton began the week with a 53-30 win at Middletown Madison on Monday, Dec. 3, then knocked off Brookville 58-24 on Thursday. The week’s only setback was on Saturday when Eaton fell to Oakwood 49-48.

Against Madison, senior Annika Gels had a career-high five 3-pointers and led the team with 15 points. She also had three rebounds and a pair of steals.

Junior Bailey Shepherd added 11 points and had four rebounds.

Sophomore Lexi Miller came off the bench to scored 10 points.

Sophomre Kylee Pitsinger chipped in six points, five steal and four rebounds.

Senior Becca Mowen added six points, four rebounds and three steals.

Freshman Ali Mowen led the team with six rebounds and handed out three assists.

Junior Ashley Earley pulled down four rebounds and had three steals and senior Emily Dungan had four rebounds and a pair of steals.

Eaton grabbed control early, outscoring the hosts 18-1 in the first quarter and led 30-14 at the half.

“We did a great job getting off to a strong start, leading 18-1 after the first quarter. Our press frustrated them and we played solid basketball the rest of the way,” Eaton coach Dave Honhart said. “Annika Gels had a career high five three pointers and we shot 41 percent behind the line. Madison was playing without their best player (Kenzi Saunders) and did a good job of adjusting after the first quarter.”

On Thursday, Eaton got off to a slow start against win-less Brookville but cranked up the defensive pressure in the second as they outscored the Blue Devils 41-9 to cruise to the win.

“Brookville did a good job of frustrating us in the first half with strong half court defense and offensive movement,” Honhart said.

Shepherd scored a career-high 26 points to lead the Eagles. She also added seven rebounds and had six steals.

Becca Mowen netted 10 points and led the team with nine rebounds.

Earley grabbed a season-high nine rebounds. Dungan had six steals

In all, 10 different players scored for Eaton.

Eaton trailed 6-4 after the first quarter and led 17-15 at the half.

The Eagles outscored Brookville 19-4 in the third quarter and 22-5 in the fourth.

On Saturday, Eaton jumped out to a 12-0 lead against Oakwood but couldn’t maintain it. Eaton led 16-10 after one and trailed 30-29 at the half.

The Jills extended their lead to 45-39 after three.

Eaton cut the lead to 45-43 with just under four minutes left and still trailed 49-45 with 30 seconds to play.

A 3-pointer cut the lead to 49-48 with 25 seconds left. After four missed free throws by Oakwood, Eaton had one final shot at the buzzer but the attempt came up short.

“It was a hard fought game between two good basketball teams. Although we lost 49-48, it was probably the best game we’ve played. Give both teams credit. We opened the game on a 12-0 run; a weaker team might have folded,’ Honhart said. “We adjusted our defense and held Oakwood to four points in the fourth quarter. We clawed back to within one, when Becca Mowen hit a 3-pointer off of a set play coming out of a time out with 30 seconds to go. We got the ball back and had a tough contested shot to win at the buzzer, but it fell short. Both teams deserved credit for a great game, in front of an enthusiastic crowd. Unfortunately for us, it just didn’t go the way we wanted.”

Shephard poured in 24 points, many of them on contested jump shots, according to Honhart, while also totaling 10 rebounds.

Point guard Ali Mowen had her best game of the season, according to Honhart, distributing seven assists against no turnovers, while also grabbing nine rebounds.

Becca Mowen finished with eight points and six rebounds. Gels pulled down eight rebounds and had three assists.

Miller contributed five points, four rebounds and two steals.

Honhart said it was successful week.

“Both our varsity and JV teams went 2-1 and continue to improve. Varsity is 3-3, JV is 5-1. This is a fun group to coach; they are very competitive, and they are hungry to get better and better,” he said.

On Friday night, the team held its annual fundraising event.

“We held our annual Fun & Fitness Night Friday night for girls in grades 1st thru 6th grade and we had 89 girls show up. That’s the biggest turnout we’ve had since 2014.,” he said. “I want to thank the community for coming out to support Eaton Girls Basketball, and thank our parents and players for putting on a great event.”

The Eagles will host Kettering Alter on Wednesday, Dec. 12 and Monroe on Saturday.

“Both are hard-nosed, physical, well-coached teams that will provide good challenges for us,” Honhart said. “Both games are at home and we’d love to have continued great crowd support.”

Junior varsity games begin at 6 p.m. with the varsity following at approximately 7:15 p.m. on Wednesday. Saturday’s game begins at noon.

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Eaton’s Ashley Earley attempts to drive to the basket during the Eagles game with Oakwood on Saturday. Eaton let one slip away, falling to the Jills 49-48.
http://www.registerherald.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/41/2018/12/web1_ehsgbk3-2.jpgEaton’s Ashley Earley attempts to drive to the basket during the Eagles game with Oakwood on Saturday. Eaton let one slip away, falling to the Jills 49-48.

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Eaton’s Ali Mowen (front), Annika Gels (32) and Becca Mowen play defense during the Eagles game at Brookville on Thursday, Dec. 6. Eaton overcame a slow start to rally for a 58-24 win.
http://www.registerherald.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/41/2018/12/web1_ehsgbk14.jpgEaton’s Ali Mowen (front), Annika Gels (32) and Becca Mowen play defense during the Eagles game at Brookville on Thursday, Dec. 6. Eaton overcame a slow start to rally for a 58-24 win.

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By Eddie Mowen Jr.

[email protected]

Reach Eddie Mowen Jr. at 937-683-4056 or on Twitter @emowen_RH

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