EATON — Injuries and illnesses have plagued Eaton’s girls’ basketball team over the past several weeks, but the Eagles haven’t lacked the fight and determination to compete.
Eaton suffered a pair of losses last week to a pair of the Southwestern Buckeye League’s top teams.
Eaton fell at Middletown Madison in a cross-over game on Thursday, Feb. 2, 65-47, and lost a home contest to Franklin, 60-46, on Saturday.
Madison is now 12-8 on the season and has won nine of its last 11 games — six of the losses have been by three points or less. Franklin is now 13-8 and has won 11 of its last 13 games.
“We continue to be without Megan Lipps and Becca Mowen. Anna Black missed both games this week and Ashlynn Black missed Saturday’s game,” Eaton coach Dave Honhart said. “But the real story is the effort and heart that our team played with. Thursday we battled hard against Madison. While we lost 65-47, for much of the night it was a closer game. I received more compliments about our team’s toughness, grit and effort in the loss than I have in any of our wins.”
Eaton had 11 steals in the first half alone. But Madison passed and shot the ball very well and that was the difference, according to Honhart.
Junior Bailee Worley had 12 points, to go with six steals, six rebounds, and six assists. Freshman Bailey Shepherd had a career-high 16 points and freshman Ashley Earley led in rebounding with seven. Sophomore Annika Gels added eight points and six rebounds.
Eaton struggled from the field, making 16-of-47 shots and was just 14-of-27 from the foul line.
“On Saturday, we were even more short-handed and battled against Franklin. It was a nine-point game midway through the third before they pulled away for a 60-46 win,” Honhart said.
Worley and Shepherd led a balanced scoring attack with 11 each. Gels had eight, Emily Dungan seven and Kurstin Frost six.
Eaton was 12-of-44 from the field and just 2-of-9 on 3-point attempts.
The Eagles were better at the foul line, making 20-of-27, including making 16 of their last 18 attempts.
“That’s a testament to the hard work the team has put in on improving their shooting,” Honhart said.
Eaton (6-14, 3-8 SWBL) was scheduled to host Northmont on Monday, Feb. 6, and and travel to Bellbrook on Thursday to close out the regular season.
