The cold front scheduled for the southern plains next week arrived a few days early, as the Hennessey Eagles and Lady Eagles have gone cold, with the girls dropping their 4th straight game, and the boy’s losses have now reached 3 in a row.
In the Lady’s game, (February 5) the Class 3A #6 ranked Perry Lady Maroons (15-4) won the opening jump, scored on their first possession, and went on a 10-0 run, shutting out the Lady Eagles in the 1st quarter, and rolling to a 56-24 win. The Lady Eagles got out-rebounded 24-15 and only went to the foul line once, with Yuridia Rios making both her attempts for Hennessey’s first points of the game at 7:41 in the 2nd. Those were Rios’ only points, coupled with 2 rebounds, and 2 assists. Noelle Pollard led the Lady Eagles with 9 points off 3 made Three’s. The sophomore pulled down 1 rebound and got 1 steal defensively. Gracie Mills had 2 field goals in the 2nd and 2 in the 3rd for 8 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 assist. Larissa Macy had 1 made three for her only points, and Hunter Miller had 2 points off the bench.
The Lady Eagles (5-9) will look for positive momentum going into their final week of the regular season beginning Tuesday, as they travel to Thomas for the season rematch with the Lady Terriers (10-7).Better. Still not a win, but much better. That was the overall feeling after the Eagles dropped their 3rd consecutive road game 54-49 against the Perry Maroons (11-8). It was an absolute battle that came down to the final shot, with plenty of heart, grit, and determination out of both teams from the opening tip to the final buzzer. The Maroons hit a Three on their opening possession to take the early lead, and held that lead into the 2nd period when Cristian Rodriguez nailed his 2nd three of the game to wrestle the lead away at 23. The game saw 9 lead changes or ties (including being tied at 26 at half) until Perry’s made 3 at the 6 minute mark of the 3rd quarter gave them the lead at 31. They never gave it back. The Maroons closed out that frame with a 9-0 run, and the Eagles were in catch-up mode the rest of the way. They did claw their way back, and with Wade Vinson’s 4th steal of the night on an in-bound pass with 18 seconds remaining, down 3, they had their chance. A quick turnover themselves, then a missed free throw on the other end, put the ball back in Hennessey’s hand with a chance to tie as clock wound down. Rodriguez’ attempt hit the front iron and did not get the roll. Two Maroon free shots later with less than 1 second on the clock gave Perry the W, 54-49.
Jael Torres led the Eagles with 17 points, perfect from the line with 3 “and-ones,” 6 rebounds, and 1 blocked shot. Vinson knocked down 3 Three’s and had 11 points, with 6 rebounds himself, 2 assists, and the aforementioned 4 steals on defense. Rodriguez had 8 points, all in the 1st half, with 1 rebound, and 1 assist. Chris Tovar made 2 Three’s for 6 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist. Juan Dominguez added 5 points, with 3 rebounds, and 1 assist, and Seth Simunek had 2 for the only Eagle bench points. Senior Noah Moery and Sophomore Layton Choate each got their first starts of the season. They did not score but Moery brought down 1 board, got 2 steals, and 1 blocked shot, while Choate added 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and a steal.
With 3 more road games to close out the regular season, the Eagles (10-4, 2A #6) play the Thomas Terriers (9-6, Class A #18) on Tuesday night, before traveling to Blackwell Thursday and Chisholm on Friday. –EagleVoice – Photos by Beth Curran
