Eaton High School girl’s basketball team has prepared for the rivalry game against University High School since the last game against their rivals. This is a game that everyone looks forward to throughout the Eaton High School halls and community every year. The basketball game was very close, although the University Bulldogs took home the win Wednesday night. The score closed 37 to 53 as a result of free throws that benefited University to take a higher lead. With so few fans from the Eaton crowd, it was very difficult for the girls to keep their heads held high and play with confidence. This did not stop freshman Delaney Reuter (22), from dropping 12 points as the leading scorer in the game even with the University crowd proudly supporting their girls in their gym. The Eaton girls hard work is shown in the defense even if the offense had struggled putting points up on the board.
Eaton girls came to compete knowing they were at a disadvantage when the other team had girls averaging at heights over 6 ‘0, but Eaton’s leading rebounder, Courtney Steinkamp (27), could not be stopped from increasing her total rebounds to 109. Steinkamp is a player that a lot of girls look up to even at such a young age because of how she never gives up and brings so much talent to the team. The Eaton girls’ basketball team now holds an 8 to 6 record and is ranked second in the 4A Patriot League. The opposing team, University High, is ranked first with an overall score of 14 to 2. Learning everything that is shared, the Eaton girls kept up a good fight.
Amelia Bowden (25) is a high-performing guard on the team that respectively plays well with every girl on the court. Not only is she a great player and a great teammate she holds a lot of knowledge of the basketball team. Learning and adapting to how her teammates play make her a very well-rounded player. Bowden is not the only valuable player. According to Bowden, “I think the team played well together, despite the loss.” She came to the conclusion that the loss was based on poor execution of the opportunities at hand. Bowden said, “Lots of good shots that did not fall.” This is a term most basketball players use when shots are looking correct and feel right, but they just aren’t “falling into the hoop”. Basketball is a touch and feel game which makes it so interesting to watch. When the shots don’t fall it breaks a lot of confidence in such high intensity situations like the rival game.
Bowden isn’t the only valuable player that shared her insight, Saryaih Gaona (1) is just as much a significant player. Gaona is a starting point guard in her sophomore year of high school. She is a shifty guard that handles the ball well. Gaona said, “We started off strong which is always a plus, but we got into our heads coming into the second half.” This is something that most athletes wouldn’t admit, but Gaona had faith in her team and herself.
The end result all comes down to who has played in a high-performing and pressured situation. Some may see this loss as a defeat, but the girls are keeping their heads held high and are preparing for the Resurrection Christian game on Jan. 26. This loss will be used as fuel to the fire.
