Despite an enrollment less than 10% of Kastner, and having never competed against a Clovis Unified School, the 8th grade boys’ basketball team upset the Thunderbirds at home with a stunning 47-28 win on Nov. 27 in front of more than 200 fans.
The Fightin’ Eagles, after leading only 10 to 5 after the first quarter, rode a 19 to 6 second quarter run, and took a 29-11 lead into halftime. Never looking back, the Eagles cruised to defeat the Thunderbirds.
“Before the game the whole team was very nervous but I was excited to play one of the best teams in the city,” Anthony Haddad, power forward, said. “Last year they won first in the Clovis league.”
Starting center Jeremiah Brown’s 15 points paced the Eagles, especially in the first half.
“During the game, I started to gain confidence in our team,” Brown said. “By the second quarter I knew we could beat this team and I gained confidence. We accomplished our goal today but I want to give God the glory for it.”
Small forward Austin Rurik chipped in 10 points but like most on the team, was nervous before the game.
“We were intimidated and scared before the game but coach came in and gave us our game plan and said we could upset them,” Rurik said. “After my first points though, my nerves settled down and played more confidently.”
The Fightin’ Eagles defensive pressure again proved crucial, seeming to catch Kastner’s historically dominant basketball program off guard. They forced the Thunderbirds to 18 first half turnovers, many of which were converted into Eagle points.
“To have our kids play in that ‘big game’ environment, against a Clovis Unified, Division I program, in front of a good home crowd, and to have our boys play that way is really special,” head coach C.J. Haddock said. “Kastner and Clovis West are the standard for central Valley basketball; they are trend setters in terms of what they do with their youth, program philosophy, off season work, conditioning, etc. To know that we can compete with the best is certainly reaffirming.”
As the clock ticked down, fans gave the team a standing ovation. The players on the bench rushed the court to congratulate their teammates while the coaching staff reminded them to shake hands with the visitors.
“Right after the game I was so happy for my team,” Haddad said. “As the captain, I thought we did extremely well and was so excited.”
Rurik joined his teammates on the floor and was yelling after the game.
“I was ecstatic, excited and overjoyed,” Rurik said. “I was so happy that I wanted to run around in circles and scream at the top of my lungs.”
Haydock is in his first year coaching the junior high after spending the last four years coaching in the high school program, where he continues to assist the varsity. Haydock attributes the win to several factors.
“We have a talented group of kids, who have an understanding of what we are trying do, and play really hard,” Haydock continued. “And they have been playing club basketball for several year together, and that is really staring to pay dividends, as playing an extra 50-60 games a year is huge in developing our youth.”
Seeing a need for investment in youth club programs, and wanting to teach fundamental basketball skills, Haydock partnered with varsity boys’ basketball coach Chris Schultz; they founded a 4th through 8th grade spring basketball program in 2006.
“We saw a real need for our kids to be taught basic basketball skills and abilities,” Schultz said. “We need our boys to have a basic understanding of basketball knowledge, of competitiveness, and how to play hard before they get to high school. That’s why we started club basketball, and now that investment is starting to pay off.”
The 8th grade boys’ basketball team improves to 8-0 on the year and is in sole possession of first place in Fresno Unified’s National Division. The Fightin’ Eagles next play Tioga on Nov. 28 at 3 P.M. in the PC gym, followed by a Friday night (Nov. 29) game at Alta Sierra at 7 P.M.
Kristi Miller • Jan 16, 2010 at 6:48 am
Good job