Championship Saturday of the 2021 3-Rivers Conference Basketball Tournament in Fairview left the Eagles and Lady Eagles wanting, as the Ladies dropped the Consolation Championship Final to the Class A Thomas Lady Terriers (4-2) by a score of 49-39, and the Eagles got their first loss of the season, falling in the Championship Game to the Cashion Wildcats.Coach Aly Seng’s Lady Eagles came out strong in their game, matching the Lady Terriers shot for shot behind Junior Juliana Macy’s 3 made 3-pointers, and Gracie Mills and Yuridia Rios’ points down low. The game was tied at 15 after 1 period, and that is when the Lady Eagles’ offense dried up. While Thomas scored 18 points in the 2nd quarter, our ladies only managed 5, and it was a battle from behind the rest of the way. Hennessey did battle back, behind stellar defense in the 3rd quarter – only allowing 2 Thomas points. But the hole was too deep, and the Terrier ladies held on for the 10 point victory.Juliana Macy had her best offensive game of the season, leading the team with 14 points off 4 made 3’s, Mills finished with 12, followed by Noelle Pollard off the bench with 6, Yuridia Rios 4, and Harlee Dowell with a 3. The Lady Eagles, now 3-4 on the season, return home for a 3RC Conference matchup this coming Tuesday, January 12th, for a 6:30 pm tipoff versus the Watonga Lady Eagles (1-3). The boys Championship Game pitted the Oklahoma Class 2A #5 ranked Cashion Wildcats and #6 ranked Hennessey Eagles in a matchup all too familiar with the teams’ fanbases. Eagles Coach Brady Page is 10-4 against John Hardaway’s Wildcats, but now 0-3 since last season. Both programs fighting for a #1 Area Seed, played this game like it mattered. And it did. Defense was the name of the game, especially early, with 5 lead changes/ties in the 1st quarter alone, the Eagles had a narrow 1 point lead (8-7) after 1, and held on to that lead until 4 seconds remained in the first half. With a mid-court steal, made basket and-1, the Wildcats took their first lead of the 2nd quarter – and never gave it back. The Eagles were led offensively by Freshman Jael Torres scoring 18 points, including going 8 of 10 from the line, with 7 rebounds. Outside shooting was tough to come by with the Cashion lock-down speed. Chris Tovar got 8 points, all in the 2nd half, with 4 rebounds, and 1 steal; Cristian Rodriguez added 7, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 1 blocked shot; Wade Vinson 6 points with 6 rebounds; and Juan Dominguez with 2.In a rematch of Friday’s Round 2, Hennessey (6-1) with host the Watonga Eagles (3-1) this coming Tuesday, January 12th at Eagle Event Center, and will wrap up next week’s action at home on Friday, January 15th, hosting the Oklahoma Bible Academy Trojans for Basketball Homecoming 2021, with Coronation beginning at 6:00 pm. -EagleVoice
