BOYS’ BASKETBALL SPORT SHORTS, 2012-13

For a preview to the Eagles basketball season and a look at their scores so far, check out the Winter Sports Box Scores, 2012-2013, for dates, times, and all winter sports.

Also, please be sure to check out the Eagle’s schedule for the upcoming season at Max Preps. FC is currently 2-3 overall and 0-0 in the West Sequoia League as of Dec. 10. The Eagle’s next game will be Dec. 11 as they travel to Fresno High to take on the Warriors.

BOYS’ BASKETBALL SPORTS SHORTS, 2012-13
EAGLES PLACE FOURTH IN COCORAN TOURNAMENT, DEC. 5-8

Over the course of Dec. 5-8, the Eagles competed against teams located all over the Valley. The Eagles played four games and placed fourth in the tournament.

FARMERSVILLE, DEC. 5
In FC’s first game, the team played Farmersville High School with great intensity and determination. However, the Eagles came up short, losing 59-39 to the Aztecs.

Sophomore Trevor Beal, FC’s leading scorer for the game, said that it was disappointing to win, but it let the team know where they need improvement.

“It did not live up to my expectations,” Beal said. “I feel like we could’ve improved upon our performance. But I still think it helped us to understand how we have to play in order to win and it will help us prepare for the rest of the season.”

For the Aztecs, Jose Del Real lead the team in scoring with 17 points and was named the player of the game.

PARAMOUNT BARD ACADEMY, DEC. 6
On Dec. 6, the boys defeated Paramount Bard Academy, raising their overall record to 2-1.

The game was a battle of momentum. The Eagles came out strong in the first quarter, taking a lead of 14-8. However the Ravens kept the score within 8 going into halftime. In the third quarter the eagles really pulled away, scoring 17 points and extending the lead to 37-23. The eagles held on to win 47-37.

Chris Grossman, ’15, and Trevor Beal, ’15, lead the team in scoring. Grossman hit four three-pointers and finished with 16 points, Likewise, Beal had the hot-hand and finished with 19.

Chris Grossman was proud of the way the team performed and said it was a major step in the right direction.

“We really came together,” Grossman said. “We played good as a team. Things were flowing, we hit shots, we orchestrated the offense to perfection and those all contributed to getting us the win. I think the game was a big step for the team as far as fulfilling our potential for this season.”

CORCORAN, DEC. 7
Day three of the tournament, FC played the host team the Corcoran Panthers. However, due to the Lion King performance in San Francisco the Eagles lost a few of their key upperclassmen, forcing the younger players to step up and play bigger roles. After a long-fought battle, the Eagles lost 44-75.

However, some of the younger players did in fact contribute much more than expected and had some good games despite their inexperience, Freshman Justin Houts was one of the many players who stepped up their game. He came off the bench and scored a season high 9 points.

MCFARLAND, DEC. 8
Going into the fourth and final day of the tournament, the Eagles found themselves fighting for a third place trophy. McFarland High School, however, also had third place in their sights.

The game got off to a quick start and points went on the board quickly. The Eagles struggled to grab the lead throughout the game and found themselves trailing by 11 going into the final quarter.

However, FC regrouped and narrowed the deficit to a reasonable margin. With 30 seconds left the Eagles narrowed it down to one point. After two free throws by McFarland, the Eagles needed three points to tie the game and send it into overtime. With one second left Beal did just that. After a McFarland timeout, the team drew up an inbound play. However, on a bad throw by McFarland’s Zeferino Medina, they turned the ball over and FC regained possession. But on the inbound by FC, McFarland stole the pass and made the buzzer-beater shot to win the game.

Senior captian Jordan Boudreau says that it was frustrating to lose such a close game, but with a young team felt that it benefitted the group as a whole.

“It was a huge growing opportunity,” Boudreau said. “Especially for the younger guys. It helped us get used to playing together and helped us gel as a team. I think if our team can cut down the turnovers and rebound better, then I think the offense will take care of itself and we will find ourslelves winning more games.”

The Eagles first-year head coach Robert Hubbard says that he is very proud of the team. Hubbard sees a lot of potential in his team.

“The tournament was a very positive experience,” Hubbard said. “Although we finished with a 1-3 record, we were competitive in every game and competed until the final whistle. I had a very good feeling about our team heading into the season and this tournament definitely cemented some of those thoughts. I think one key area to work on during practice is rebounding. But knowing our kids work ethic, I have no doubt that we’ll rise to the challenge and make improvements in that area. Overall, I am very happy with where our program is at this point in time.”

FC’s next game will be on Tuesday, Dec. 11 at Fresno High School.

For more information on the Eagles season, check out the Dec. 2 article, Boys Basketball Sport Shorts: Maricopa.