Day two, Friday, January 8th of the 2021 3-Rivers Conference Basketball Tournament in Fairview found both the Eagles and Lady Eagles in the winner’s circle, taking down their opponents from Watonga and Crescent.The Lady Eagles, playing in the Consolation Bracket following their opening round loss to Fairview on Thursday, faced the Crescent Tigers for the second time this week, and for the second time this week took the victory. After 5 lead changes in the 1st quarter, the Lady Eagles had a 9-6 lead at the end of the period, and never looked back. Senior Gracie Mills led all scorers with 12 points, bringing down 7 rebounds, and getting 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 blocked shot defensively. Harlee Dowell, getting her third start since the holiday break, finished with 7 points, 3 boards, 2 assists, and 2 steals. Every starter scored, including Kassidy Amburn and Yuridia Rios with 4 points each, and Juliana Macey with 2. The Lady Eagles saved their best for last, scoring 21 of their 47 points in the 4th quarter and getting 18 points off the bench: 2 from Lindsey Meek, 3 from Chloe Moery, 5 from Noelle Pollard, and a period high 8 points, which included 2 made 3’s from Sophomore Larissa Macey.The win puts the girls in the Consolation Championship Game versus the Thomas Lady Terriers, scheduled for 12:00 noon on Saturday.The battle of the Eagles, between (previously) unbeaten Watonga and #6 Ranked Hennessey, was everything you could ask for in a high school basketball game, and had more of the feeling of an Area or Regional elimination game than a second round mid-season conference tournament tilt. The game had 19 lead changes or ties, with Hennessey holding on to a narrow 2 point lead after 1, only to trail Watonga by 1 at half and 4 points after 3 quarters played. Cristian Rodriguez tied the game at 40 in the 4th quarter and gave his Eagles the lead for good with his made and-1 that followed. Cristian hammered 3 other conventional 3-pointers, adding another made free throw to lead the Eagles in scoring at 13 (all in the 2nd half). Rodriguez added 7 rebounds and 4 assists for the Eagles. Senior Point Guard Wade Vinson followed with 12 points, going 6 of 9 from the free throw line, and getting 5 steals defensively. Freshman Jael Torres also had 12 points, with 15 rebounds, and 2 blocked shots. Coming off his 22 points in Game 1, Juan Dominguez had 7 points, 2 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 blocked shot. Christian Tovar added 5 points, and Layton Choate had 4 for the only Eagle bench points.The Eagles will play in the Championship Game of the 3RC Tournament at 7:30 pm Saturday night versus the winner between Cashion and Fairview. Story and Photos by, EagleVoice
