Eagles hang tough with Robinson
By TERRY LIDY
In preparation for the Friday match up with Robinson, Eagle Coach Doug Mammoser felt that all the pressure would be on the Maroons. "We will go play and see what will happen at Robinson."
The end result was a Robinson win, but not after the Eagles controlled the tempo of the game for most of the night. The difference was a fourth quarter surge as the Maroons ambushed the Eagles 25-9 in the final eight minutes to post a 60-39 Apollo win to lead the conference at 4-0.
Robinson led only 9-8 after the first period and 17-15 at the half as the Eagles slowed the tempo against the talented Maroons.
However, Robinson doubled their output with an 18 point third quarter. The Eagles also came to life in the quarter scoring 15 points and trailed only 35-30 going into the final period.
"We really battled in the first half, but they finally went on a run we couldn't match," said Mammoser. "Defensively we held our own, but we didn't shoot well," added Mammoser.
In the long run, that turned out to be the Achilles heel as Robinson took over with four players in double figures, while the Eagles had two players with Japheth Bear leading with 13 and Alex Frohning collecting 11.
The Eagles connected for only 12 field goals in the contest including 4 from behind the arc. They also were 11 of 15 from the foul line. Peyton Wyatt added 7 points for the Eagles, while Jerry Howze had a basket and a free throw. Brian Emmerich tossed in a three-pointer and Jake Pilman added a basket to complete the meager Eagle totals. Taylor Kerner, Scott Jansen and Marc Brandenburg also saw action for the Eagles.
Robinson, meanwhile canned 21 baskets including four from the arc. They added 14 of 19 free throws. Derek Hannahs led all scorers with 16. Ben Jones had 14. 7 footer Meyers Leonard had 12 and Austin Siler scored 11.
Robinson also won the junior varsity game 54-38. The Eagles, now 5-3 overall and 1-3 in the Apollo, next will take a Christmas break until they return on December 28 in the Dieterich Holiday Tourney against Arcola at 5:00 p.m.
First half stymies Lady Eagles
By TERRY LIDY
In Apollo girls action last Thursday at Robinson, a poor first half spelled doom for the NCHS Lady Eagles as they fell to the Robinson Lady Maroons 61-30 at Robinson.
Robinson built on a 10-2 first quarter lead and made it 28-8 at the half. A 23-10 third period turned the game into a rout at 51-18.
Morgan Swingler led the Lady Eagles with 9 points. Amy Koebele was next with 8. Terra Flowers scored 6. Carly Niebrugge scored a three-pointer. Syndey May had a basket and Megan Jansen converted two free throws. Newton connected on 10 field goals including three from behind the arc. They were a perfect 7 of 7 from the charity stripe. Robinson had 27 baskets including three from the arc and added 4 of 7 from the line.
In other Apollo action, Charleston, the Lady Eagles next opponent, edged Salem 62-60 to improve to 13-0 overall and 6-0 in the Apollo. Olney belted Paris 61-41 and Effingham lost in overtime to Mt. Zion 62-59.
The Lady Eagles now 0-6 in the Apollo next travel to Charleston and then pause for a Christmas break until they enter the Dieterich Holiday Tourney of which they are the defending champs.
The Lady Eagles did win their second straight junior varsity game with a 39-34 victory over Robinson.
Newton, Ill. —
