Eagles drop Apollo opener
By TERRY LIDY
After the NCHS Eagles led for most of the game in the Apollo opener last Friday at B.E. Gum Gym in Salem, the Wildcats rallied to post a 65-55 win.
"It got away from us in the fourth quarter and we had no answer for Zeke Light," said Doug Mammoser. "For the most part, we played a good game but we need to finish strong."
The Eagles built an early lead behind the shooting of Brian Emmerich and Peyton Wyatt. Emmerich opened with a pair of threes and another basket to pace the Eagles in the first quarter with 8 points. Wyatt had the other 6 as the Eagles edged out to a 14-13 margin. The Eagles produced a big second period scoring 19 points as six players contributed. Scott Jansen, Peyton Wyatt and Japheth Bear drilled three-pointers, while Taylor Kerner scored twice and Alex Frohning and Brian Emmerich sank field goals. Japheth Bear also scored a field goal besides his three-pointer as the Eagles took a slim 33-29 cushion into the half. Light kept the Cats close scoring 16 of his game high 30 points in the half including 13 in the second quarter alone.
The Eagles were held to a 10-point third quarter as Salem and Light stayed hot by scoring 18 points to take a 47-43 edge into the final eight minutes. Jerry Howze converted a pair of free throws and Brian Emmerich, Peyton Wyatt, Japheth Bear and Jake Pilman scored field goals.
Salem duplicated their third quarter output with another 18 point fourth period to seal the Eagles doom and drop them to 4-1 overall and 0-1 in the Apollo. "We trailed only 55-53 with two minutes to go, but we needed that extra push and didn't have it, which is a part of basketball," added Mammoser.
The Eagles had eight players enter the scoring column paced by Peyton Wyatt with 16. Brian Emmerich was in double figures with 12. Japheth Bear scored 7.
Lady Eagles fall in Apollo opener
By TERRY LIDY
Playing Effingham for the second time in less than a week, the NCHS Lady Eagles made their Apollo debut last Tuesday at Effingham and suffered a 60-27 thumping by the Hearts. Just last Tuesday before Thanksgiving, the Lady Eagles dropped a 52-30 decision to Effingham at the annual Bob Kerans Tournament.
In this game, Effingham led at all stops opening with a 17-7 first quarter advantage and were never headed. It was 27-14 at the half and 45-19 after three quarters.
Turnovers and cold shooting hurt Newton as the Lady Eagles were held to ten baskets and 27% shooting and committing 28 turnovers. Amy Koebele paced the offense with 10 points and pulled down 11 rebounds. Terra Flowers added 7 points, while Megan Jansen and Joni Hahn each had 3 points. Mallory Kocher and Brianna Nail each tallied 2 points for the 1-5 Lady Eagles.
Effingham meanwhile shot 45% overall and were 50% from three-point land making 5 of 10. The Lady Eagles were 1 for 5 from the arc and 6 of 9 from the foul line.
Saints win a pair
By TERRY LIDY
The St. Thomas Saints had a good week winning on the road at Palestine in both seventh and eighth grade games last week. the seventh graders posted a 30-10 win while the eighth graders also came through with a 50-24 victory.
In the seventh grade game, eight Saints scored as Quentin Huston led with 6. Jacob Volk scored 5. Brett Schackmann, Nick Reis and Logan May each scored 4. Brock Mammoser had 3 while BoDee Steber and Grant Stark had 2 points each.
The eighth graders were led by Luke Stone with 25. Luke Huston added 17 to form a one-two punch. Brock Mammoser and Brett Schackmann each had 3, while Quentin Huston scored 2 points.
Last Thursday at Oblong, the Saints won another pair of games as the seventh graders were victorious 48-24 and the eighth graders also came through with a 52-34 win.
In the seventh grade contest, the Saints built a 32-18 halftime lead to seal the victory. Nick Reis and Brock Mammoser combined for 35 points as Reis led with 18 and Mammoser had 17. Garrett Hemrich added 6, while Jacob Volk had 5 and BoDee Steber scored 2 for the Saints.
Other players on the seventh grade roster include Brett Schackmann, Quentin Huston, Logan May, Kaleb Wright, Grant Stark and Gunner St. Clair.
In the eighth grade contest, Luke Stone led all scorers with 40 and Luke Huston scored the other 12 points as the Saints built on a 35-16 halftime cushion to post the victory.
Players on the eighth grade roster include Nick Reis, Brett Schackmann, Jacob Volk, Quentin Huston, Brock Mammoser, Logan May, Garrett Hemrich, Kaleb Wright, Grant Stark, BoDee Steber and Gunner St. Clair. Pat Mammoser and John Stone coach the Saints.
The Saints next play host to Altamont Lutheran on Thursday and Effingham Sacred Heart on Monday, December 14. On Tuesday they travel to Clay City and finish before Christmas with home games against Beecher City on December 17 and New Hebron on December 21.
Junior Eagles in action
By TERRY LIDY
In junior high boys' basketball the JCJH Eagles hosted St. Anthony last week and dropped both games. The seventh graders fell 45-13 as Chris Pitcher had 4 points. Trenton Gonzalez, Bryan Spitzer, Cody McCoy and Wyatt Geier each scored 2 points. Mike Carr converted a free throw.
The eighth graders lost 51-37 as Corey Workman led with 11. Caleb Chesnut scored 9 as did Gunner Pickens. Noah Dart, Jacob Lidy, Ryan St. Clair and Allen Taylor each added 2 points.
On Tuesday, the Eagles visited Paris and fell 29-17 in the seventh grade contest and 59-27 in the eighth to Paris Mayo. Wyatt Geier led the seventh graders with 6 points. Mike Carr had 4, while Chris Pitcher had 3 and Preston Street and Cody McCoy each tallied 2 points.
On Thursday, the Eagles hosted Charleston and split with their guest.
Charleston won the seventh grade game 38-9 as they held the Eagles to two first half points. Trenton Gonzalez, Wyatt Geier and Preston Street scored the Eagle points with Gonzalez leading with 5 and Geier and Street each with 2.
However in the nightcap, the eighth graders rallied to nip Charleston 35-34. The Eagles trailed at the early stops. They were down 6-2 after one quarter and 16-12 at the half. Both teams scored 11 in the third quarter as the Eagles continued to trail 27-23 going into the final six minutes. Here the final period belonged to the Eagles as they posted a 12-7 advantage and won a 35-34 squeaker in front of the home crowd.
Newton, Ill. —
