The #4 ranked Eagles headed to Hinton last Saturday night (2/25) for the regional championship against Fairview, a team the Eagles beat handily earlier in the season. But Fairview had other plans early in the first. They jumped out to a 3-0 lead, followed by a Jael Torres bucket. Then Fairview scored back-to-back buckets including a 3 for the 8-2 lead with 3:28 to play in the first.
Fairview then drilled a deep three to give themselves an 11-2 lead. As the clock ticked under 2 minutes, Fairview would extend their lead to double digits, but immediate back-to-back scoring possession for the Eagles closed the gap to 7. With 2.8 seconds remaining, Fairview drew some free throws and would go 1 for 2. The first quarter ended with Fairview up double digits 16-6.
Jael Torres started the 2nd quarter off right with a bucket of his own. A minute later Layton Choate would get a floater to fall, and the score sat 16-10, but Fairview would respond right back with a layup. With 4:30 to go, a technical was called on Fairview and Layton hit both free throws to cut the deficit to 4. Poor shots, poor rebounding, and good defense by Fairview led to their 5-point lead at halftime. Only 3 Eagles got up shots the entire first half.
James Sims started the 2nd half off right, with a pull-up midrange, but Fairview responded right back. Fairview would then hit a 3, and then walk right back down the court and hit an and-1 layup, capping it off with a missed free throw. The score sat 28-18. Torres tacked on 2 free throws for the eagles to put them into the twenties. Following a Garret Vinson 3 and a Layton layup, the Eagles FINALLY had some momentum headed their way.
Fairview would get it right back though, with a contested 3 over Jael in the corner. Fairview gained a double-digit lead, but Layton Choate would get an And One layup to fall, and added the free throw. The score 35-28 heading into the fourth.
Layton Choate hit a 3 at the start of the 4th to shift a little bit of momentum back in favor of the Eagles. Fairview won’t allow the momentum though, with another And One, this time they added the free throw. Headed into a timeout following another Layton Choate bucket, the Eagles trailed by 5. After a few scores by each team, the deficit again sat at 5 for the eagles following a Jael Torres and One. Layton Choate has been the MVP of the 2nd half, and added a layup to cut the deficit to 3, the smallest deficit the Eagles have faced all night. Hunter Weber then hit a layup, and they trailed by 1. A foul by Seth Simunek though put Fairview in the bonus, and they hit both free throws. They then hit 2 more free throws.
There were 2 minutes left, and the 21-3 Eagles trailed by 5. Layton Choate would head to the line with 1:51 to play. He went 2-2, the score 45-42. Then Layton Choate hit an absolutely beautiful deep 3. And it was tied for the first time since it was 0-0 at the sound of the first buzzer. A travel by Fairview and a bucket by Jael. AND THE EAGLES HAD THEIR FIRST LEAD OF THE GAME WITH 16.7 REMAINING.
The seconds ticked down, and the Eagles were able to fend off the Yellow Jackets and WIN the 2A Regional Championship. They head to the Stride Event Center in Enid, Oklahoma next Friday & 7:30 vs Hooker for the 2A Area Championship. The final score – Hennessey Eagles 47 – Fairview Yellow Jackets 45. Story by Taylor Ladwig, Photos by Beth Curran.
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