The Eagle Grove Eagles basketball teams made the long trip north on Tuesday night, to face off with the Forest City Indians in Top of Iowa Conference play in Forest City. Eagle Grove’s girls entered with a 1-8 record, while Eagle Grove’s boys entered with a similar 1-8 record.
It was an inauspicious start for Mike Herrington’s squad, as they trailed 17-4 after the first quarter. However, the Eagles would get up off the mat in the 2nd quarter, as good offensive execution cut the lead to 6 at one point in the 2nd quarter, but Forest City was able to extend the lead back to 28-16 at halftime. The 2nd half saw the Indians clamp down on the defensive end, and shots began to fall with more consistency as Forest City cruised to a 60-25 win. Nadia Kaiser was the Jewell Market Player of the Game, finishing with a game-high 10 points, Karly Lambert led a balanced-Forest City attack with 9 points.
Eagle Grove’s boys followed with a great chance to pick off their first-ever win against a historically-dominant Forest City program, and the 1st quarter saw the Eagles lead 11-7. However, Forest City would not go quietly, answering each Eagle Grove bucket as the Eagles led 24-22 at halftime. In the 2nd half, the Eagles began imposing their will, as Drake Canavan led the charge offensively, as his big 3rd quarter put Eagle Grove ahead 41-30 going into the 4th. Forest City would have a push in them for the 4th quarter, at one point having the lead, but clutch free throws from Jordan Morris down the stretch clinched the first win in school history over the Indians, 54-51. Drake Canavan was the Jewell Market Player of the Game, as he finished with a game-high 20 points and 10 rebounds, Carson Hall led Forest City with 17 points.
Eagle Grove’s girls return to action on Friday, as they host West Hancock. Eagle Grove’s boys return to action on Saturday, as they host undefeated Lake Mills.