Reznet

Hey everyone, I wrote that blog last week for my tribes' newspaper, CharKoosta. However, a lot of the editorializing and opinions I had couldn't be expressed in there...so the version that was printed wasn't the same. My only problem w/ sports writing is that I want to tell my side of the story, so, I guess a blog is more appropriate for that! 

This past weekend, the Two Eagle River School Eagles played Charlo and beat them badly. The game was close in the first half with the Eagles' leading scorer, Kyle Stensgar, sitting on the bench for unknown reasons. After halftime, Stensgar's presence on the court seemed to uplift his teammates and instill a sense of confidence in them all. Stensgar went on to score 17 points and the Eagles opened up a huge lead in the third quarter. The Eagles never looked back. 

In the semi-final game against Noxon, the Eagles came out firing. Avenging two losses in the season, the Eagles built a huge 44-26 lead in the first half. The Eagles made #1 seeded Noxon look like they belonged in Little Dribblers. Noxon couldn't do anything against Two Eagle's tenacious defense and hot scoring. 

Everyone on the team came to play. Five players ended up scoring in double figures as Stensgar led all scorers with 27 points, Matt Hewankorn finished with 15 points, James Maestas scored 14, and Jerod Tanner and Nate Drennan hit for 10 points apiece. 

Defeating Charlo and Noxon in the tournament was a historical time for Two Eagle River School. In the past, I can remember watching Two Eagle play these teams and being handed heart-breaking losses. One year, the Eagles were playing Noxon in the challenge game. Points scored by the Eagles weren't counted and they ended up losing as a result of those points not being counted. When videotaped evidence was shown backing up that claim, the Eagles were given the second place trophy but weren't allowed to play in the divisional tournament.  

Ah, yes, the wins generated a good feeling in the hearts of Eagles' fans and alumni who recall those incidents like yesterday...

While the Eagles have went on to play in the Divisional Tournament, they've always had to do it unconventionally. In my memory, I can not recall when the Eagles had actually played in the championship game. All I can remember is the challenge games. It seems like Two Eagle has always lost in the semi-finals, went on to make it to the consolation game, win the consolation game, then challenge for second place. I seriously do not recall the Eagles actually playing in the championship game. However, I could be wrong. I will ask around about this. 

So, it also put a good feeling in everyone's hearts that these boys beat the #1 seed in the tournament to make it to the championship game. 

The game against Hot Springs began with Two Eagle dominating on all aspects of the game. Stensgar scored 13 points in the first half as the Eagles seemed ready to be crowned the district champions. However, Hot Springs cut the lead by the end of the first half with timely three-pointers.

During the third quarter, the game was tighter than a pair of size 5 hip-hugger jeans worn by an overweight lady as both teams traded baskets. 

Finally, Hot Springs converted on free-throws as Two Eagle made horrible judgement calls and fouls. Instead of driving the lane, they were attempting three-pointers. Instead of taking the charge, they hacked. 

The 60-53 loss was devastating to the Eagles, but the fans didn't see it that way. As the team accepted their second place trophy, an enthusiastic crowd applauded the boys. Exiting the court, the boys hung their heads in obvious disappointment while a standing ovation ensued. 

In my previous blog, the headline was "Eagles' potential yet to be discovered". I think the fans and the 14-C District saw the potential energy inside the Eagles this past weekend become kinetic as they proved a lot of people wrong, but seeing how disappointed the boys were with their second place finish, I wonder if they, themselves, acknowledge their potential or even understand that they have achieved a lot already...