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Health & Fitness

Eagles Are Off to a Fast Start

Families of Faith Christian Academy Screaming Eagle basketball is off to a fast start. The Eagles traveled to Westlake Christian on Monday for non-conference contests.

The junior high boys started fast jumping out to an 8-4 lead at the end of the fist quarter, thanks to hot shooting from 8th grade guard Caleb Blan. Blan shot 80% in the first quarter and accounted for all of the Eagles scoring.

Westlake rallied in the second quarter to lead 13-12 at the half. The second half turned into a defensive battle with the Eagles pulling ahead at the end of three, 16-15.

Inside the final two minutes the Eagles clung to a 18-17 lead when Westlake was able to capitalize on a turnover and the game winning basket, pulling out a 20-18 win.

The Eagle girls opened their season against Westlake. Expectations are high and the Eagles looked tight for two and a half quarters. The game was knotted at 11 at halftime. The first half was filled with turnovers and poor shooting from both teams.

The Eagles began to find their wings though in the third quarter. Senior forward Alli Willis lead the way with 8 points in the quarter pushing the Eagles out to a 19-16 lead at the end of the third quarter.

The two teams traded baskets in the fourth quarter with Willis opening the quarter continuing her hot shooting. And this time, she got some help from Freshman guard Natalie Robertson with a three and sophomore guard Destiny Villalejo coming alive.

With about 20 seconds left the Eagles found themselves down by one, 28-27. Villalejo came up with a steal at mid-court and hit the layup. Westlake was called for a flagrant foul on the layup and Villalejo knocked down both free throws to seal the 31-28 win.

The Eagle boys faced a different test. After dropping Parkview Christian last week the Eagles found themselves in trouble this night.

After running out to a 9-1 lead early, senior center Josiah Blan picked up his third foul mid-way through the first quarter. Senior guard Cody Kern hurt his foot and junior forward Stephen Bestler sprained an ankle.

By the end of the quarter Westlake had rallied and trailed 15-13. At a point where the Eagles would have let the lead get away completely last year, this years Eagles stepped up.

With mostly bench players in the Eagles went to work. Junior guard Cody Blan, sophomore Brandon Cline, senior Brandon Coleman, freshman Tyler Holcomb and sophomore Cameron Latour kept the Eagles in it.

In the absence of three starters, these five combined for 25 points to keep the Eagles ahead. The Eagles led at halftime 24-19 and in fact never trailed in this contest.

Josiah Blan and Cody Kern returned midway through the third period with the Eagles still up by five and the Eagles pulled away. Blan scored 15 of his 17 points in the second half, 10 in the final four minutes of the third quarter. At the end of three the Eagles led 43-29 and never looked back.

It was a good win for the Eagles who showed poise, maturity and depth are starting to prove their pre-season expectations are well founded.

The Eagles open their home season November 22 against conference rival Victory Christian from Valparaiso. This game could be a preview to the conference championship game which will be played at Families of Faith in February. 

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