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 15-1 overall and 1-0 in the West Sequoia League as of Jan. 20. 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 Caruthers Blue Raiders at 8 p.m. Jan. 24.

BOYS’ BASKETBALL, 2011-12
EAGLES TRIUMPH OVER TIGERS, Jan. 20.
After coming off of a win against Riverdale, the Eagles were ready to face the Tranquillity Tigers, Jan. 20. Having beaten the Tigers in the Valley Championship last year, the Eagles knew Tranquillity would be out to win. FC executed well on offense and ended up defeating the Tigers, 87-48.

Right off the bat, FC began to score points in transition. Senior Cooper Belmont, who was the game high scorer with 32, found his touch and scored 15 in the first. Despite starting four sophomore’s and one senior, the young Tigers executed off of drives to the hoop. FC moved the ball around on offense and broke through Tranquillity?s 2-3 zone. At the end of the first the Eagles led 24-12.

As the second quarter went underway, FC scored a string of shots off of fast breaks. However, the Eagles still struggled in stopping penetration to the hoop. Senior Ryan Neufeld muscled his way to the rack and converted on a three-point play. Junior Brandon McCormick missed a 3-pointer on the left side of the court. Less than a minute later, McCormick gave his team momentum by draining a 3 in the very same spot he missed it from. As the game went into half-time, FC led, 49-25.

Senior Tyler Krigbaum ended the game with 6 points, 2 rebounds and 3 steals. He comments on how his team played.

?The five starters set the tone right off the bat,? Krigbaum said. ?The ones who came off the bench gave us good minutes. We shot the ball well and we played good defense. Our offense always flows off of our defense.”

Krigbaum says that his team knew that playing in Tranquillity would be a tough game. He shares his thoughts on facing the Tigers.

?Our mindset was to not abandon our game,? Krigbaum said. ?Our coach gave us confidence by telling us to play hard and keep doing what we’ve been doing. That?s why we are 15-1 right now.?

The Eagles opened the third quarter with renewed offensive focus. Senior Brady Lee scored 8 points in the third to increase the lead. Neufeld shot lights out, hitting 4 consecutive 3-pointers. He eventually ended the game with a solid 23 points and 9 boards. Going into the fourth, FC led 79-40.

Coach Josh Justin allowed his starters to play the first minute of the 4th quarter. Though they did score a few points, the Eagles played rather sloppy on offense. Within a minute, FC had pushed their lead 40 points. All five starters were taken out in order to give their teammates more experience. Freshman Lance Henderson scored 4 points in the fouth and finished with 5 boards. Senior Ramandeep Singh pulled down 5 rebounds and had a steal. The Eagles played with determination and finished with an 87-48 win.

Though this was a non-league game, it was important for FC to defeat their D-V opponents. The win will help the Eagles get a top seed when in comes to playoffs.

Coach Justin feels like the win will help give the Eagles energy as they prepare for the 15-2 Caruthers.

“We shot the ball great which helped us to score over 80 points,” Justin said. “Cooper Belmont and Ryan Neufeld played great on offense and combined for 55 points. This win should help to give us positive momentum heading into our next game against Caruthers.”

The Eagles will next travel to face Division IV powerhouse Caruthers Blue Raiders Jan. 24 at 8 p.m. Caruthers is ranked No. 3 in the State by MaxPreps.com. FC’s next home game is against Fowler, Jan. 27 at 7 p.m.

For more information on the Eagles season, check out Boys’ basketball sport shorts: Eagles triumph over Riverdale in league opener (VIDEO).