The two week “road trip” to end the regular season did not get off to a great start, with both the Hennessey Eagles and Lady Eagles dropping their games against Oklahoma Christian Academy in Edmond on Monday (February 1, 2021). Though both Hennessey teams carried leads into halftime, both fell in the end, with the ladies losing 55-49, and the boys 57-52.The Hennessey Lady Eagles (5-7) and the OCA Lady Eagles (11-4, 2A #12) share not only mascots, but also playing style and ability. Hennessey started slow, not getting their first score until the 5:30 mark of the 1st, but after head coach Aly Seng’s 2nd timeout in the 1st 5 minutes of play, the Lady Eagles responded. Though out-rebounded in the 1st half 18 to 12, our girl’s shooting touch and team defense paced them to a 28-23 halftime lead. Hennessey held serve in the 3rd and had a 39-36 lead going into the final quarter. That is when the OCA defense tightened and their offense got on track. The Hennessey girls only managed 1 made field goal in the 4th, and were outscored 19-10, dropping their 7th game of the season, 55-49. Junior Point Guard Kassidy Amburn had arguable her best game of the season, especially on the offensive end. Aided by staying out of foul trouble, Kass was able to guide the offense all 4 quarters, leading the team in scoring with 24 points, 4 rebounds, 3 steals, and 1 assist. Amburn knocked down 3 Three’s and was 8/10 from the free throw line, pushing the team to their season-best 15 of 20 at the “charity stripe.” Gracie Mills followed with 13 points off 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 blocked shot. Juliana Macy was perfect from the line and had 1 made 3 for 7 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists (and an ankle taped “too tight” by her father). Sister, Larissa Macy nailed 2 Three’s herself for 6 points to close out the scoring. Noelle Pollard brought down 2 rebounds and an assist, and Harlee Dowell, off the bench, had 6 boards with 1 assist.The second game of the evening pitted the Class 2A #6 ranked Hennessey Eagles (10-2) against the 2A #14 ranked OCA Eagles (11-5), with both teams standing toe to toe, battling blow by blow. After winning the opening tip and scoring on a made free throw on their first possession, Hennessey held the lead until early in the 2nd quarter, from which point the game saw 11 ties or lead changes into the 3rd quarter. The 3rd quarter is when Hennessey lost the game (or OCA won it, depending on which side of the court you sat). After taking the lead at 33 with 6 1/2 minutes to play in the 3rd, OCA never trailed again, winning that quarter 14-6, and holding on for the 57-52 win. Jael Torres led our boys with 24 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 steals. Juan Dominguez got hot briefly in the 4th, but cooled, and finished with 12 points, 3 assists, and 4 steals defensively. Wade Vinson had 2 Three’s for 6 points, 2 rebounds, 3 steals, and 3 assists. Christian Tovar added 5 points, 2 rebounds, 3 steals, and 1 assist, with Cristian Rodriguez closing out the starter’s points with 3, off 1 “made field goal” and 2 assists. Layton Choate came off the bench to score 2 points, with 3 rebounds, and 2 assists. The Eagles and Lady Eagles continue the regular season this Thursday at Cashion versus the Class 2A #3 ranked Wildcats (15-3) and the 2A #14 ranked Lady ‘cats (13-5). – EagleVoice – Photos by Patrick Courtney
