BOYS’ BASKETBALL SPORT SHORTS, 2013-14
For a preview to the Eagles basketball season and a look at their scores so far, check out the Winter Sports Box Scores, 2013-2014, 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 16-7 overall and 7-1 in the West Sequoia League as of Feb. 15. The Eagle’s next game will be Feb. 18, as they host the Caruthers Blue Raiders.
BOYS’ BASKETBALL SPORT SHORTS, 2013-14
EAGLES PROTECT HOME COURT ON VALENTINE’S DAY; 81-60, Feb. 14
To enjoy their Valentine’s Day the Eagles hosted the visiting Riverdale Cowboys as the fans and others supporting got to participate in the “white-out” game. The Eagles had beat the Cowboys earlier in the season in Riverdale and were looking for a similar result at home.
The Eagles came out with their regualar up-tempo offense, but the Cowboys managed to keep up with the pace and kept the game close for most of the first quarter. Near the end of the first FC began to pull away, but a last second three-pointer by Riverdale made the score closer than it seemed. FC led 19-13 at the end of one. In the second quarter the high-powered Eagles offense kept putting the ball in the basket and increased their lead, getting up by almost twenty points. But the Cowboys kept fighting and managed to claw their way back into the game to keep it reasonable. By halftime the Eagles lead 47-34.
In the third quarter the Eagles came out to put the Cowboys away for good. By finding ways to move the ball and playing solid defense, FC increased their lead to 21 by the end of third quarter. In the fourth, Riverdale held their ground and consistently kept the game competitive, but it was not enough to over the deficit as the Eagles were victorious 81-60.
The Eagles were lead offensively by a variety of players. Junior Chris Grossman and Senior N’Gai Jones led the way, both scoring 19 points, followed by Junior Trevor Beal and Senior Brian Scott who both scored 12 of their own. Meanwhile Riverdale had three different players in double figures, including Lupe Gonzalez, who lead all scores with 20.
Grossman felt that the Eagles were able to take advantage of their physical advantages and worked well as a team in the win.
“We played smart basketball,” Grossman said. “Not necessarily as well defensively, but when the ball was in our hands, we were able to find their weak spots and capitalize on them. N’Gai [Jones] had an outstanding night in terms of creating plays, and we passed the ball well, especially in transition.”
He added that the Eagles need to improve their defensive effort if they are to move forward in league play.
“We can’t really be happy with giving up 60 points to any team, but to allow Riverdale to rack that many up is a bit embarassing, especially on our home floor. That defense won’t hold against Caruthers next tuesday. We have to step it up.”
(PODCAST) Senior Night: Feb. 17, 2014–
Head Coach Robert Hubbard of the Eagles says it is always good to get a win, but now the team needs to turn their attention to their next game against Caruthers.
“We could have played a little better on the defensive end,” Hubbard said, “but it was still a good win. The big challenge is going to be tuesday night when we compete against a competitive Caruthers team for a piece of the West Sequoia League Championship. It’s going to be a hard battle but I believe the team is ready for it.”
The Eagles next game will be their Senior Night, tuesday, Feb. 18. The Seniors will be honored prior to the tip-off against Caruthers High School.
For more information, see the Feb. 12 article, Boys basketball sport shorts: Parlier.
