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 6-9 overall and 3-1 in the West Sequoia League as of Jan. 10. The Eagle’s next game will be Jan. 15, as they travel to Caruthers to take on the Caruthers Blue Raiders.
BOYS’ BASKETBALL SPORTS SHORTS, 2012-13
Sierra ends Eagles’ win streak in tough road loss–68-49, Jan. 10
The FC boys basketball team travelled to Sierra Sierra to play the Chieftains, Jan. 10. This would be the Eagles final game beofre League play and, with a win, would be their fourth staright victory. But this night would not bring victory to the Eagles.
The game was close in the early stages. FC scored the first points and took the lead. However, once Sierra got their crowd behind them, they retook the lead and FC trailed 12-14 at the end of the first quarter.
In the second, Sierra came out hard and fast and got the Eagles starters in foul trouble. Guards Caleb Nale, Trevor Beal, and forward Matt Howard all aquired two or more fouls in this quarter alone. This forced the Eagles to take a less aggressive approach on both offense and defense, and Sierra went on a 8-21 run to end the first half. Fresno Christian found themselves trailing 20-35 at halftime.
In the third quarter, the Eagles needed to play hard and smart with the foul situation. Although they played better in the second alf, and managed to stay out of any further foul trouble, the deficit proved to be too much. Fresno competed until the final whistle, but fell short, 68-49.
Caleb Nale scored the most points out of any Eagle player this season, putting up 25 for the Fresno squad. Meanwhile, senior Matt Howard struggled with foul trouble, but still managed to score 12.
Coach Robert Hubbard felt that the Eagles showed great improvement from their last contest with Sierra and are steadily progressing as a team.
“We have a team capable of winning a league championship,” Hubbard said. “We have solid perimeter players and a strong presence in the post. If we continue to grow and play to our potential, we should be in the mix for a championship.”
Sophomore Christopher Grossman felt that the team played well and that the players are very clearly playing at a higher level than earlier in the season.
“It’s really fun to see it all come together,” Said Grossman. “We have players that aren’t used to playing together but as we progress and develop chemistry, the electricity and talent of the team really shines through.”
The Eagles will hit the road again to play Caruthers High School in their next contest, their first league game.
For more information, see the Jan. 9 article, Boys basketball sport shorts: Firebaugh.
