The Ropes Eagles hosted the Whiteface Antelopes for a district basketball matchup this past Friday night, resulting in the Eagles winning 60-23.
It was an extremely wellrounded offensive attack for the Eagles as eight of nine players on the roster scored points, with Kade Franklin leading the way with 18 points behind three threepointers made.
Other Eagles scorers included Cutter Stumbo with 12 points behind a 6/8 free throw effort, Cason Kucel with nine points, Malikai Mendez with seven points, Branson Simental with six points, Kaden Riker and Kolter Dockery both with three points, and Mike Williams with two points.
And although the offensive attack was impressive, Eagles Head Basketball Coach Cameron Copley was more impressed with the other side of the ball.
“I was really proud of our kids effort defensively all game," Coach Copley said. “Whiteface is a well-coached team, and we knew we were going to have to take it to them early. Our kids were focused and determined to set the tone inside. We were able to hit some shots late, which was nice to see."
The win improves the Eagles to 20-3 overall and 7-1 in district play, which puts them first in the 2A District 5 standings as they inch closer to the district title.
On the Antelopes side of the things, the loss drops them to 10-11 overall and 3-5 in district play, which puts them tied for fifth with Sundown in the 2A District 5 standings.
The loss is a tough result, but not the nail in the coffin, as Morton holds the fourth and final district playoff spot at 4-4 in district play, which is well within reach with four district games remaining.
And while the scoreboard was unkind to them against Ropes, Antelopes Head Basketball Coach Brandon Flores was still proud of his team.
“I thought our effort was there, and our attitudes were great," Coach Flores said.
“We are having a hard time scoring the ball. We had plenty of looks at it to stay in the game; we just could not connect. So, the biggest thing we can learn is to have confidence in ourselves."
It was a tough shooting night for the Antelopes as none of their players scored over five points. Scorers in cluded Victor Borunda, Cesar Chavez and Alex Hernan- dez all with five points, and Ivaniel Gandara and Isaak Soliz both with four points.
Some nights shooting slumps are in full effect, but the Antelopes can build on the fact that they were able to find so many open looks, and if they do that moving forward, shots are bound to start falling.
Following the game, both teams return to play early in the week as the Antelopes host Smyer and the Eagles travel to face Seagraves.