The Avalon Eagles and Forestburg Longhorns battled Friday night in Springtown to keep their playoff dreams alive. After an exciting game, Avalon moves on as the Area Champions.

With #12 Dernard Hughes’ 6 points, #22 Jeremy Knight and #11 Andrew “Sunshine” Romero each scoring 5 points, Avalon took the upper hand early and like Senior Rodney Mungia #32 who scored 2 points said, “we kept fighting and never backed down.” Longhorns #23 Reynolds held nothing back in the first quarter scoring 9 points for the Longhorns, but it wasn’t enough to take the lead. The 1st quarter ended with Eagles ahead 18-15.

Avalon’s #12 Hughes kept the Eagles on the right path with 8 points in the 2nd quarter. Forestburg’s #15 Reeves kept his team in the battle by knocking down a big 3-pointer and a layup. Avalon’s #5 Cockerham and #11 Romero made two shots apiece helping the Eagles to maintain their lead, while #32 Mungia added 1 point from a free-throw shot. Going into halftime, Eagles only lead by 3, 31-28.

Both teams came back from the locker rooms looking refreshed and ready to play. As the game got underway, Avalon players showed that the 3rd quarter belonged to them by outscoring the Longhorns 18-8. Eagle fans were on their feet showing their love and support for their outstanding players. At the end of the 3rd quarter, Eagles lead 49-36.

In the 4th quarter, Forestburg’s #23 Reynolds went into overdrive and put the pressure on the Eagles by scoring 17 of his 34 points for the Longhorns, but like Avalon’s #5 William Cockerham put it, “we did what we were supposed to do; we played our game and never gave up the lead.” The Longhorns tried to buck their way back into the game, but the Eagles soared past them to a victory 66-55.

When asked how he felt about the game, Coach Kris Marshall said, “The boys feel good about how they are playing at this point of the season. The boys have been playing hard every game and giving themselves a chance to win. I am proud of the effort they put forth in practice and in the games.” An excited Senior, #24 David Crocker wanted to add, “Going into this game we were nervous because Forestburg’s record was 13-1, but we stayed strong and got the win.”

Avalon will play the Milford Bulldogs for their Regional Quarterfinal on Wednesday, March 4, at Midlothian High School @ 7:00p.m.

Eagle Stats:
Dernard Hughes – 16 points
Jeremy Knight – 16 points
Andrew Romero – 14 points
Rodney Mungia – 8 points
David Crocker – 6 points
William Cockerham – 4 points
Phillip Harder – 2 points