By Tyler F. Thompson (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
FAIR GROVE — This time last year, the Fair Grove Eagles (18-10) were left pondering what could have been.
The Eagles fell to Greenwood, 43-36, in the Class 3 District 11 title tilt.
Instead of hanging their heads, they got up, dusted themselves off, and poured that loss into each practice, each rep, and every game.
On Friday evening in front of a packed house on their home court, the Eagles soared to the commanding 65-47 win over Greenwood, capturing the Class 3 District 9 title.
Righting the ship from one year ago.
Bryden Baxter, a 6’1 senior, led all scoring with his 21-point performance.
“We just came out with a lot of energy. We knew that Greenwood is always a heck of a team,” said Baxter. “Hat’s off to them; they have had a heck of a season all year. We have had a rivalry with them all year. We knew we had to bring it in order to compete with them.”
The athleticism certainly took center court when, after trailing 14-10 at the end of the opening quarter and rebounding efforts favoring the Blue Jays, something different, some other variable ignited a spark in the Eagles in the second quarter, when back-to-back 3-pointers keyed the 22-9 run.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE GAME
“We wanted to use our athleticism in this game,” head coach and Fair Grove native Bryan Tucker said. “We wanted to let that shine.”
The first and second quarters were polar opposites, and something simply clicked during the final 16 minutes of play.
“We finally got the pressure and the pace where we wanted it. Early in the game, we did not do a good job of forcing their guards to quickly dribble up the court. We weren’t getting any traps set,” said Tucker. “Once our pace [got] going, we were able to get some really good looks.”
Up 32-19 at half, a five-second violation was called on the Jays, and Eagles’ Kellen Lair connected for the deuce.
Minutes later, Sam Kennard drilled the shot from the perimeter, and just like that, the Eagles extended the lead to 39-23.
In an effort to gain added possessions, the Jays pressed and trapped and did what they could to prevent ball movement in and out of the paint.
The Eagles did not oblige.
“They love it; they absolutely love it,” Tucker said of being the underdog in the matchup, as Greenwood entered as the top seed, and the Eagles were slotted one spot behind. “Our kids didn’t forget about last year. It is something that our kids have talked about.”
CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO OF THE GAME
The defense tightened up and forced seven turnovers and was consistent — allowing 14 points in the first, third and fourth quarters.
“Everyone did their part and [we] found a way to win,” Baxter said. “To finish with a district championship … it’s the best feeling in the world.”
Fair Grove hosts Thayer in the Class 3 sectional round on Monday.
Scoring for the Eagles: Bryden Baxter – 21; Sam Kennard – 9; Kellen Lair – 2; Spensar Seiger – 17; Kyle Winterberg – 15; Atticus Brandes – 1.
Scoring for the Blue Jays: Collin Clark – 9; Tyler Harrell – 2; Kalen Hetzler – 11; Logan Sanders – 12; Cooper Morgan – 2; Caden Frederick 8; Henry Hanes – 3.
