Eagles tough on the Bulldogs
By TERRY LIDY
After last Friday's poor showing at home against Salem, the NCHS Eagles were eager to prove that they were capable of playing four solid quarters. Last Tuesday at The Enlow Center, the Eagles played one of their better games of the season and dismantled the St. Anthony Bulldogs 54-39.
"We were very disappointed after Friday's 50-38 loss to Salem," said Eagle Coach Doug Mammoser. "We didn't finish that game. Our main goal against St. Anthony was to play for four quarters. We wanted to put pressure on their passers and take away their high-low game. We also wanted to know where James Jansen and Taylor Worman were at," he added. Worman led the Bulldogs with 17, while the Eagles held Jansen to 5 points.
The Eagles built up an early lead thanks to Peyton Wyatt and Japheth Bear who each canned a three to give Newton a 6-0 advantage.
Meanwhile, a tough in your face defense held St. Anthony scoreless until Taylor Worman converted a pair of charity tosses at the 4:04 mark. A long three pointer by junior guard Scott Jansen upped the Eagle edge to 9-2. A little later the quarter ended with an 11-4 Eagle edge as Taylor Kerner closed out the quarter with a pair of foul shots, and Worman of St. Anthony scored the Bulldogs' first field goal.
The Eagles continued to pressure in the second quarter holding the Bulldogs to a mere 7 points hitting only 3 field goals in the half on 12 attempts. The Eagles tallied 10 points in the second period and took a 21-11 advantage to the locker room. Peyton Wyatt had another three pointer in the quarter, while Brian Emmerich and Japheth Bear each had a basket. Jake Pilman converted a pair of foul shots to give the Eagles a 10-7 edge in the quarter.
St. Anthony warmed up in the third quarter as they scored six basket and closed to within six. Up only 25-19, the Eagles had an 8-0 run late in the quarter as Peyton Wyatt nailed a pair of triples and Jake Pilman converted a pair of foul shots to make it 33-19. The Bulldogs scored the final 5 points of the period. The last three on a James Jansen three pointer at the buzzer to make it 33-24. However, the Eagles quickly regained the momentum and their double-digit lead as St. Anthony pulled no closer than the nine-point difference.
The Eagles also continued to find the range in the fourth quarter tallying 21 points to match their entire first half output. St. Anthony also had their best quarter scoring 15, but it was too little too late as the Eagles were not to be denied the victory.
The Eagles, getting some good looks at he basket, made 16 baskets including 7 from behind the arc. Shooting 43% from the field, the Eagles were a solid 15 of 18 from the foul line.
The Eagles converted 8 of 11 tosses alone in the final quarter as the Bulldogs were forced to foul. The Eagles had only 7 turnovers, while forcing the Bulldogs into 13 miscues. St. Anthony made 15 baskets including a three. They added 8 of 10 foul shots. Taylor Worman led the Bulldogs with 17 points.
Peyton Wyatt led the Eagles, now 10-6 for the season, with 16. Japheth Bear added 13 and Jake Pilman tallied 11. Pilman led in rebounds with 7 and assists with 5. Alex Frohning scored 5 points, while Brian Emmerich scored two baskets. Scott Jansen had a three pointer and Taylor Kerner converted a pair of foul shots to complete the Eagle output. Marc Brandenburg and Jerry Howze also saw action for Doug Mammoser's Eagles.
Lady Eagles drop two close ones
By TERRY LIDY
The NCHS Lady Eagles took a break away from Apollo competition last week only to lose two games to non-conference opponents. On Monday, the Lady Eagles traveled to Marshall and fell 53-49 to the Lady Lions. Then on Thursday, they lost a tough overtime match at home against Lawrenceville 66-61.
In the Marshall contest, the Lady Eagles were tied at 9 after the first eight minutes. Using a big 22 point second period, Newton led 31-27 at the half. However, Marshall forged ahead outscoring Newton 13-7 in the third quarter to take a 40-38 edge into the final stanza. A 13-11 Marshall difference in the final eight minutes spelled the final outcome.
The Lady Eagles were led by Terra Flowers with 14 points including four three pointers. Amy Koebele added 10 points, while Mallory Kocher had 9 points with three from the arc. Megan Jansen scored 5 points. Tara Wirth and Morgan Swingler each tallied 4. Carly Niebrugge added a three-pointer for the 4-16 Lady Eagles. Sydney May, Brianna Nail and Amy Bierman also saw action for Newton.
The Lady Eagles made 16 baskets including 8 from behind the arc. They converted 9 foul shots. Marshall had 21 field goals with 7 from three point play. They added 4 free throws to run their record to 11-9 for the season.
On Thursday, the Lady Eagles played without leading scorers Amy Koebele and Terra Flowers only to fall 66-61 to Lawrenceville in overtime.
The Lady Eagles came out strong as Megan Jansen scored three baskets and Morgan Swingler added two as Newton took a 12-3 cushion after the first quarter. Carly Niebrugge had the other Newton basket in the quarter. However, the Lady Indians found the range scoring 17 second quarter points to pull within four at the half at 24-20. The Lady Eagles had another 12 point quarter as Brianna Nail led with three baskets, while Carly Niebrugge and Megan Jansen each had one and Tara Wirth converted a pair of free throws.
A 22-17 third quarter edge by Lawrenceville moved them ahead by one 42-41 as the game remained tight down the stretch. Megan Jansen led the third period attack with 5 points. Mallory Kocher scored two baskets. Tara Wirth added a basket and a foul shot. Morgan Swingler and Sydney May each scored a basket, while Carly Niebrugge converted a free throw.
The Lady Eagles came back to outscore Lawrenceville 13-12 in the final quarter to force the overtime. Carly Niebrugge led with 7 points, while Morgan Swingler scored twice and Megan Jansen once to force a 61 all tie after regulation play. In the overtime period, the Lady Indians outscored the Lady Eagles 12-7 to prevail 66-61.
Newton received two baskets by Amy Bierman, while Carly Niebrugge scored one and Morgan Swingler converted a foul shot. Meanwhile, Lawrenceville connected for three baskets and six free throws to make the difference. Lawrenceville made 22 baskets including 3 from the arc. They converted 19 0f 33 foul shots for their 66 points.
The Lady Eagles made 25 baskets including a three-pointer. They converted 10 of 16 from the line for their 61 points.
Megan Jansen led with 15 points. Carly Niebrugge had 14 and Morgan Swingler added 11. Brianna Nail scored 6, while Tara Wirth tallied 5. Mallory Kocher and Amy Bierman each scored two baskets. Sydney May rounded out the scoring with a basket for the 4-17 Lady Eagles.
After road games with Apollo foes Mt. Zion and Paris, the Lady Eagles finish their regular season at home against Robinson and Charleston. The Feb. 1st game with Robinson will be Pack the Place Night. The Peoples State Bank will donate money for every fan who enters the gate with proceeds going to the Athletic Booster Club, the Letterwomen's Club and the NCHS Band Boosters. Admission for the game is free to all fans who are wearing orange or blue.
Lady Eagles nipped at Mt. Zion
By TERRY LIDY
The NCHS Lady Eagles almost earned their first Apollo win on Monday, but their fourth quarter rally fell one point short 45-44.
After losing 65-35 in December at home, the Lady Eagles pulled it together outplaying Mt. Zion down the stretch. Trailing 14-9 after one quarter, the Lady Eagles closed to within 4 at the half after a 16-15 edge in the second period. A 12-9 Mt. Zion third quarter advantage left the Lady Eagles down 41-34.
"We continued to hustle and outplay Mt. Zion. We caused some turnovers and forced Mt. Zion into some fourth quarter mistakes," said Lady Eagles Coach Katie Lurkins.
The Lady Eagles now 4-18 overall and 0-11 in the Apollo, made 17 field goals in the contest including 4 from behind the arc. They converted 6 of 10 foul shots.
Terra Flowers and Morgan Swingler led with 11 points each. Also in double figures was Megan Jansen with 10. Carly Niebrugge added 7, while Amy Koebele rounded out the attack with 5.
Mt. Zion, now 10-15 for the season and 3-8 in the Apollo scored 18 baskets with 7 from three-point land. Mt. Zion was only 2 of 8 at the foul line.
The Lady Eagles continue on the road this week at Paris and finish their regular season at home against Robinson and Charleston. The Robinson game on Monday, February 1st will be Pack the Place Night.
Newton, Ill. —
