Eaton Boys Basketball powers through season despite adversity

After a grueling season, the boys basketball team ended their season with a 8-15 overall after the district tournament. At the start of the season, the Reds advanced with a new and excited young team. With mostly underclassmen on the varsity team, the Reds had to gain experience and learn quickly to compete against the other teams. With high hopes the Reds went into the District Tournaments with a win against University.

At the beginning of the month, on Feb. 8 the boys played against Sterling for their senior night game. The team had to play on senior night, battling emotions from the recent death of senior volleyball player Kennedi Ingram, and the anniversary of the death of fellow player Dallas Duran. Junior Maldonado (18) said, “It was emotional because of Kennedi. It brought back Dallas. To have the community come together was something big.” Unlike any other senior night, the Reds had not only the responsibility to join an entire community together, but also the support of hundreds as they played through a tragedy. JV basketball coach, Amy Ross said, “That’s why they played. They didn’t play for themselves. It said Reds and Eaton basketball, but last night was being a part of a family. A part of the one tribe. They were doing their part to allow people to have a place to come together. To be with their friends and teammates because that’s what is so important during this time, is being together.”

In the past few weeks, the Reds competed in the 3A District Tournament. They started the tournament with a 3A Patriot League play in game against University. The Reds dominated the Bulldogs 66-53 on Feb. 16. Their winning start in the tournament did not last long as they fell short to Sterling 85-28 and again to Valley 68-44. With high hopes and heavy hearts the Reds played for Kennedi Ingram, and Dallas Duran as an inpiration in their final game, and destroyed Estes Park with a score of 85-49. Coby Heaton (19) said, “The team was upset that we didn’t get a chance to continue playing because we felt like we were better than what our record showed. We improved throughout the year. We are a very close team with a lot of potential. We are all excited for next year and expect to be successful and make it far into the playoffs.” Their victory led them to earn seventh place in the District Tournament.

The Reds now wish the best of luck to their seniors Junior Maldonado, Evan Anderson, Ryan Kapperman, and Morgan Smith. Anderson said, “I was sad because it was my last season, but it was fun. I wouldn’t have done it with a different team. We played at UNC for our last game. And that was reallly fun because thats always been my favorite place to play.” The Reds were left with a young team, but have high expectations and goals to reach in the next season. Mason Willadsen (19) said, “I feel like next year we are going to be really strong. The team will come back. We were really young this year, but I think that next year we will be pretty good. I’m excited for next year and what it holds for our team.”