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 5-8 overall and 0-0 in the West Sequoia League as of Jan. 5. The Eagles’ next game will be Jan. 8, as they host the Firebaugh High School Eagles in Fresno.

BOYS’ BASKETBALL SPORTS SHORTS, 2012-13
Eagles use teamwork to defeat Crusaders–Jan. 4

The Eagles traveled to Lemoore to take on the Kings Christian High School Crusaders on Jan. 4. The Eagles were coming off a win just a day earlier and were looking to carry that momentum forward into this game.

The Eagles won the tip and took an early lead. However, the Crusaders hung around and kept the margin minimal. At halftime the score was Eagles 27, Crusaders 21.

Coming out at the half, Kings Christian narrowed the deficit down to one. But after a time out, the Eagles recomposed and went on a run, scoring 16 points and limiting the Crusaders to only two more points for the rest of the quarter. The Eagles maintained the lead and held on to win their second straight game, 56-40.

The Eagle’s leading scorers for the game were senior Matt Howard with 24 points, and junior Caleb Nale with 12.

The Eagle’s head coach Robert Hubbard says he is very pleased with how the team responded after a low point in the season.

“I’m very happy for the kids in our program,” Hubbard said. “They’ve put in a lot of hard work and to see the results is extremely rewarding. We had a particular stretch of poorly executed games during the winter break, but we had a couple if good practices and won two big games on the road.”

Hubbard also says that he is excited for league play which is coming up and has big expectations for the squad.

“We have league coming up in a few weeks. Each of our opponents is playing well at this time so it will be a great challenge. Our goal is to be champions of the West Sequoia League. That’s what Eagle basketball is all about. I believe if we practice everyday at a championship level, we have the ability to reach those goals.”

Junior Caleb Nale, recently cleared from being ineligible as a transfer, led the team to victory in both of his first two starts. He has noticed the improvements the team has made and continues to help the team as he bring his athleticism to the court.

“The squad is coming together very well,” Nale said. ” We need to learn to play as a team a little better but we are improving. We are cutting down turnovers, passing the ball better, we are playing harder and improving our basketball IQ every day.”

The Eagle’s next game will be on Jan. 8 as FC hosts their first home game against the Firebaugh High School Eagles.

For more information, see the Jan. 4 article, Boys basketball sport shorts: Tranquillity
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