Boys' basketball sport shorts: FC beats Parlier in tough battle (VIDEO, PODCAST)

BOYS’ BASKETBALL SPORTS SHORTS, 2011-12
(Scrimmages do not count toward win/loss record. Visit the Sports Section for boys’ basketball features.) For a simple overview of scores and upcoming games, check the Winter sport box scores, 2011-12 for dates, opponents and times for all Eagle sports.

Be sure to visit the 2011-12 boys’ basketball schedule, home page, roster page, or check out Maxpreps.com. The Eagles are currently 18-1 overall and 4-0 in the West Sequoia League as of Jan. 31. According to Maxpreps.com, FC is ranked 3rd in the State for D-V basketball.

The Eagles will continue the 2011-12 season with an away game against the Riverdale Cowboys, Feb. 3 at 7:30 p.m.

BOYS’ BASKETBALL, 2011-12
FC COMES OUT ON TOP AGAINST PARLIER, Jan. 31
The Eagles matched up with the 2-1 Parlier Panthers, Jan. 31. The score went back and forth as both teams fought for the lead. Though the Eagles struggled to make shots, they persevered down the stretch and finished with a 56-42 win.

The Eagles had previously beaten Parlier 63-34 during the Immanuel Holiday Invitational. As the game went underway FC soon realized they were facing a new team. The disciplined Panthers came out strong and gained an early lead. Their zone defense forced the Eagles to shoot from beyond the arc. FC struggled to execute from the three-point line, scoring no 3?s in the first. Though the Eagles scored off of fast-breaks, the general pace of the game was slow. For the first time in league play FC trailed going into the second. At the end of the first Parlier was led 10-8.

Though the Eagles struggled to score in the first quarter, Senior Ryan Neufeld says their defense helped them stay in the game. He gives credit to Parlier for coming out strong.

?I thought they [Parlier] started off the game playing really well and we were just a little bit flat.? Neufeld said. ?I think our defense definitely kept us in it.?

Once again Cooper Belmont was face-guarded the entire game. He scored 4 points in the second along with teammate Tyler Krigbaum,?12. Belmont finished the game with 17 and Krigbaum ended with 7. The Eagles began to press the Panthers in order to pick up the pace. Parlier scored multiple points by attacking the hoop and dumping the ball off to the post. Going into half-time the Eagles were up 20-18.

Going into the second half, FC hoped to execute better on offense. The Eagles traded baskets with the Panthers as both teams contested for the lead. Neufeld dominated on offensively by scoring 16 of his 25 points in the third. He ended with 10 offensive rebounds and 5 defensive rebounds. The Eagles gained an 8 point lead by outscoring the Panthers 21-15 in the third quarter. Going into the fourth, FC led, 41-33.

The Eagles maintained their defensive pressure in the fourth quarter by playing solid man-to-man defense. Though he scored no points, senior Brady Lee contributed on defense with 5 steals. Junior Brandon McCormick came off the bench and finished with 2 points and 3 rebounds. The Panthers hit their some shots down the stretch but they failed to bridge their point deficit. The Eagles scored multiple lay-ups in the last few minutes and finished with a 56-42 victory.

Neufeld?s game high of 25 points greatly aided the Eagles in sealing the victory. He explains what his mindset was throughout the game.

?Our shooters were a little bit off so I knew that I had to help with the scoring,? Neufeld said. ?I got a lot of great passes from my teammates which really helped. I just wanted to put the biscuit in the basket.?

Though they struggled to score at times, coach Josh Justin believes his team won a great victory.

“We played great team defense throughout the entire game,” Justin said. “At times, we did not shoot the ball very well, but we were able to hit our shots in the fourth quarter which helped us to get the win. Ryan Neufeld played one of his best games of the year with 25 points and 15 rebounds. He scored 16 points in the third quarter which helped lead us to victory.”

The Eagles will next travel to face the Riverdale Cowboys, Feb. 3 at 7:30 p.m.

For more information on the Eagles season, check out Boys’ basketball sport shorts: Eagles defeat Redcats (VIDEO).