Eagles nipped in overtime
By TERRY LIDY
The NCHS Eagle lost another tough road decision last Friday falling to the Paris Tigers 66-58 in overtime at Ernie Eveland Gym.
With both teams starting slowly, the score was knotted at 8 after the first quarter. The Tigers moved ahead outscoring the Eagles 16-13 in the second period to take a 24-21 lead into the half. The Eagles whittled a little into the Paris lead with a 13-12 edge in the third period.
Down 36-34, the Eagles had their best quarter in the fourth as they outscored their host 17-15 to force a four-minute overtime as each team had 51. However, Paris blitzed Newton with 15 overtime points to seal the Eagles' fate and dropping them to 10-8 for the season and 2-6 in the Apollo.
The Eagles had three players in double figures led by Japheth Bear with 18 points. Peyton Wyatt tallied 11, while Alex Frohning scored 10.
Jake Pilman had three baskets and three free throws for 9 points. Brian Emmerich scored three field goals for 6. Taylor Kerner had a basket and two foul shots for 4 points. Jerry Howze and Scott Jansen also saw playing time.
The Eagles made 20 field goals including five from behind the arc. They converted 13 of 18 foul shots. Paris made 25 baskets with four from three-point land. They added 12 of 17 free throws. They also had three players in double figures led by Josh Griffin's 19 points.
The Eagles return this week with three games, two at home and one on the road. After a Tuesday match with co-leader Robinson, the Eagles also host Charleston on Friday on Pack the Place Night. Wearing of orange or blue will guarantee a free admission to the Apollo game. Then on Saturday, the Eagles will travel to Dieterich for a non-conference match with their neighbor to the west.
In 18 games this season, the Eagles have scored 973 points for a 54.1 average. The Eagles defense has been sound allowing 902 points for a 50.2 average.
Lady Eagles' rally falls short
By TERRY LIDY
After a lackluster showing at Paris last Thursday which resulted in a 64-52 loss, the NCHS Lady Eagles used a furious fourth quarter comeback in an attempt to win their first Apollo game of the season.
On Pack the Place Night, the good crowd tried to spark Newton down the stretch. "The crowd was great. We fed on their energy during the rally," said Coach Katie Lurkins.
However, the Lady Eagles had to overcome a 13 point deficit at 42-29 midway through the final quarter. They were able to close to within two possessions at 44-40 after a Carly Niebrugge basket with 57 seconds left. However, that was as close as the Lady Eagles would reach as Robinson scored the final four points to prevail 48-40.
The game was tight early as Robinson led 9-8 after the first quarter. Terra Flowers nailed two long trifectas to pace the attack.
The Lady Eagles came back to tie the game at 25 at the half with a 17 point second period.
The third quarter was a different story as the Lady Eagles scored only two points and dug themselves a big hole as Robinson led 35-27 after three quarters. After the score reached 42-29, the Lady Eagles reeled off 7 straight points to make a game out of it.
"We battled hard and played much better than at Paris. We did a pretty good job defending against Robinson which is a pretty good team," added Lurkins. Robinson improved to 13-12 for the season and 4-9 in the Apollo. The Eagles fell to 4-20 and 0-13 in the Apollo.
The Lady Eagles made 11 baskets including 5 from behind the arc. They converted 13 of 20 from the line. Terra Flowers led with 12 points. Amy Koebele and Morgan Swingler each scored 7. Carly Niebrugge added three baskets for 6 points. Mallory Kocher and Megan Jansen each scored 3 points.
Amy Bierman added a basket for 2 points. Tara Wirth, Brianna Nail and Sydney May also saw action for the Lady Eagles.
Robinson made 19 baskets with one from behind the arc. They added 9 of 16 foul shots. Kelsey Dirks led with 15 points.
Newton won the junior varsity game 45-23 as eight Lady Eagles scored. Terra Flowers led with 9. Morgan Swingler and Amy Koebele scored 8 each. Carly Niebrugge and Tara Wirth each had 6. Sydney May scored 4. Amy Bierman and Megan Jansen each tallied 2 points. Brianna Nail and Mallory Kocher also saw action.
In other Apollo games on Monday, Effingham won over Mt. Zion 55-39. Olney edged Paris 58-52 in O.T. Salem hammered Charleston 80-60.
With one game to go, Charleston and Salem share first place in the Apollo at 12-1. Olney is 9-4. Effingham and Paris are each 6-7. Robinson is 4-9. Mt. Zion is 3-10 and Newton is 0-13.
Saints win regional
By TERRY LIDY
The #3 seed St. Thomas Saints won their own Class 7-1A boys regional last Thursday at the Parish Center with a 35-22 championship victory over Martinsville.
Martinsville had upset top seeded Hutsonville 31-26 to reach the finals.
After a first round bye, the Saints faced #2 Kansas last Tuesday winning 42-24 behind Brock Mammoser's 19 points. The Saints led at all stops after opening an 8-4 first quarter cushion. Nick Reis was also in double figures with 11. Quentin Huston scored 4 points. brett Schackmann, Garrett Hemrich, Jacob Volk and Kaleb Wright each added baskets. BoDee Steber, Gunner St. Clair, Grant Stark and Logan May also saw action for the Saints.
In the championship match, the Saints once again broke on top scoring 12 points in the first quarter as Brock Mammoser and Nick Reis each connected for a pair of trifectas as the Saints led 12-6 after the first quarter. Mammoser connected for two more long bombs in the second period, while Quentin Huston added a basket as the Saints took a 20-10 cushion into the half. In the third quarter, the Saints continued to dominate outscoring Martinsville 5-2 to take a 25-14 advantage into the final stanza.
From here, the Saints got 8 points from Brock Mammoser and a basket by Jacob Volk to seal the title 35-22 and earn a trip to the Effingham Sacred Heart Sectional. The Saints will play the host Shamrocks.
The Saints were led by Brock Mammoser's 23 points including seven baskets from three-point land. Nick Reis added two more triples for 6 points. Quentin Huston added a basket, while Jacob Volk scored two second half field goals. The Saints sank 12 field goals with 9 coming from behind the arc. They converted 2 of 5 foul shots.
Martinsville sank 9 baskets and added 4 of 6 foul shots for their 22 points.
"We played really well in the tournament," said Pat Mammoser who shares the Saints coaching duties with John Stone.
The Saints are now 10-8 heading into the Sacred Heart Sectional.
Newton, Ill. —
