Eagles Soar Over Clinton

SEELEY LAKE - The SLE Eagles girls basketball team are soaring high halfway through their season. The A Team is undefeated and the B Team has only lost a close game to Charlo. Stacked with eighth graders that have shown great improvement this year, Head Coach Brett Haines said they are working to refine their game and he's excited for all the young talent coming up.

"When they come to the gym, the girls are ready to get after it," said Haines. "They hustle. I always tell them good things happen when you hustle and these girls are doing it. They aren't afraid of physical contact and they get after the ball. It's really fun to watch."

Haines said he's seen a lot of maturity in his eighth graders this year.

Haines said Hannah Ayers is faking and driving. He was so impressed with her double-digit rebounds against Clinton and how much more aggressively she is playing this year.

Haines said Trista Wendel is an all-around strong player on offense and defense.

Haines called Eagle's point guard Sariah Maughan the team's anchor when she brings the ball down.

"She sets the tone of the game in defense and offense," said Haines.

Haines said Tegan Mauldin has shown great improvement this year all around.

"She keeps getting more aggressive, fifteen feet and in she can hit them," said Haines. "Once she gets in there she's clicking."

Cierra Hinchey is back again this year and Haines said she is shining in offense and can hit the outside shots and layups. "She's tricky on defense and if they aren't paying attention she will sneak in and steal the ball from them. She plays smart."

Haines is excited about his seventh graders that have been playing up with the A Team.

Dani Sexton has been nicknamed "the little pitbull" because she gets in there "and gets things done."

According to Haines, Emily Maughan has been making shots, stealing the ball and doesn't crumble under pressure. Tru Good has been doing the same for the Eagle's defense and "is a really tough player."

Haines added Grace Mercado has been a great part of the team, stepping up when they need her and improving each game.

The B team has a lot of young girls that are just starting basketball. Haines said they are so much fun to watch and are working hard to learn the system.

"We are just trying to refine our game and get better and better," said Haines. "It's just the little things, the rebounding, fewer missed layups, making the pass when you need to."

SLE matched up against Clinton at home Feb. 13. Clinton's A Team won the small team tournament last year in the Copper League going undefeated for the season. Haines said they were one of the toughest teams they have met this season.

The Eagles' A Team traded the lead with Clinton for the first 15 minutes. Then the Eagles started to pull away. It was 23-11 at the half.

The Eagles showed up to play in the second half and were untouchable. Haines put in his second string to give them some more experience and he was happy to see how well they played. The Eagles won 42-23.

"These girls from Clinton could pass and move the ball. Once we realized that, we woke up on defense and were able to pull away," said Haines. "The team is coming together. The girls are playing tough."

Emily Maughan led the Eagles with 13 points. Her sister Sariah also broke into the double digits with 11 points. Also scoring: Trista Wendel 6; Cierra Hinchey 5; Hannah Ayers 5 and Tegan Mauldin 2.

The B Team hit the court running and left Clinton in the dust. They didn't allow them to score in the first half and only let in two baskets the second half. The final score was 46-4.

Dani Sexton and Kyla Conley led the Eagles with 10 points each. Ava Thornsberry was close behind adding 8. Also scoring: Emily Maughan 7; Madison Debernardi 4; Tru Good 4; Bailey Barlett 2 and Nova Wilkey 2.

The Eagles host games Tuesday and Wednesday this week and then travel to Florence Thursday. All games start at 4 p.m.

 

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