By: Adam Schott
Machebeuf 64 and Eaton 60
The Eaton Reds basketball continued the season with a disappointing 64-60 loss to Machebeuf last Tuesday. Late in the fourth quarter, Britten Abbott (13) and Brock Needens had both added to a combination of 28 points, keeping them in the game. However, a combination of free throws and fouls sealed the Reds’ fate in the fourth. Even with the loss, the Reds still maintain a winning record, making people hopeful for the upcoming conference to begin.
From the start, it looked as if Eaton had its hands full with the height of Machebeuf and and the strong tradition of basketball. However, both teams came out with strong defense and held each other to minimal points at the start. Key players such as Britten Abbott (13) made an effort to attack the basket and draw the foul. Because of this style of play, the pace was extremely fast and the time began to burn off of the clock without even a notice. This spread out the starting line, substituting key bench players such as Justin Ditter (13), Matt Burkhart (16), and Casey Edens (15). By the end of the first, the score was Machebeuf 16 and Eaton 14
During the second quarter, Machebeuf began to pull away with lead by making it a 10 point game. By this time both teams were beginning to show off their three point game. Machebeuf Matt Timlin (14) began to catch fire from from outside with four threes, adding to the 21 three pointers he’s got on the season . However, Eaton struggled with the three game. Still they got decent looks and held their own, using the speed of their guards to their advantages.
One of the funniest moments came when Austin Ekeler (13) made an impressive cut and got a good shot up. The only problem was that it bounced off of the rim, hit the top of the backboard and fell back in. This sort of chilled the momentum for Eaton and helped keep the Buffaloes rolling, making it Machebeuf 31 and Eaton 19 by half
At the start of halftime, Eaton came out with a minute left showing the intensity of the locker room. They started strong and making the fight to get back into the game, but still had problems such as back-to-back turnovers. On top of matters, Thomas McCarty (15) of Machebeuf mowed over Abbot on a blown charge call. Eaton still kept fighting, and the best moments would come in the fourth. When coach Dean Grable explained to his players, “Get a piece of the paint,” they began to get better looks from the field
In the fourth quarter, Eaton went back and forth with Machebeuf with three pointers. Player Matt Burkhart (16) came in and scored a critical three to bring the lead closer. However, when it came down to a minute left, Eaton missed a last chance to make a shot. Eaton burned down the clock, but Jake Nelson (14) missed the three.
