Eaton Reds Girls defeated the Brush Beetdiggers 65-40, keeping their undefeated league season going with a 4-0 run. The Reds knew it needed to come out strong to this game after looking at the recently released RPI standings; the team has a lot to prove before playoffs. Starting this year, teams will be selected for post-season play based on RPI rankings alone, regardless of overall record. Currently, the Reds are ranked 87 in 3A, which is mainly due to two losses suffered in the beginning of the season. Before the game, senior Alexis Lamoureux said, “We need to prove to everyone who doesn’t believe in us wrong and that we can do great things, we’re better then what they say.”

The Reds scored a big ten points in the first six minutes of the game and held Brush down to one point. The Reds end the first quarter with a 14-4 lead allowing them to build momentum that would not wane throughout the whole game. Eaton continued to drive forward with the intensity through the second quarter with a loud lead 41-11, Driving the Beetdiggers into an even deeper hole going into the second half.  Coach Hernandez said, “At halftime we talked about maintaining the momentum we had built up the first half and not letting up. This can be difficult to do because the natural tendency when you are ahead by a lot is to relax.”

The Reds made a bang coming from halftime putting up an additional 16 points in the third quarter but allowed the Beetdiggers to put 13 points on the scoreboard as well. The Reds won the quarter once again but did let Brush step into the role after coming in at halftime. Lamoureux and Bailie Duncan (19) both showed teamwork while attacking the basket throughout the entire game. The Lady Reds took the win against the Beetdiggers with a final score in the fourth quarter of 65-40. The Reds had four players scoring in the double digits and kept a tough man to man defense on Brush throughout the whole game that allowed them to force turnovers. The Reds had a good night on free throws, making 10 for 14 at the line. Senior Celsi Jurgensmeier led from the line, making four out of five of her free throws.

Standout players for the Reds were Lamoreaux, who scored 10 points and grabbed four rebounds, and Bailie Duncan (19) who scored a game-high 14 points. Going into the game, Duncan said, “We are here to play and we’re here to be recognized.”

Up next, the Reds will play Platte Valley on the road on Jan. 23, followed by Liberty Common at home on Jan. 26. Both will be essential for the Reds in RPI standings as the end of the season approaches.