Albright Scores 32 as Eagles Overcome Injury, Beat Panthers

Stefen Albright Engadine

Stefen Albright scored a careerhigh 32 points to lead the Engadine Eagles to a 71-37 Eastern Upper Peninsula Conference (EUPC) win over the Pickford Panthers Friday, February 9.

The senior scored eight points in the first quarter, four in the second, nine in the third, and 11 in the fourth while connecting on nineof 10 from the free throw line. Albright and his Eagles team were able to carry on in the absence of David Derusha, who suffered a head injury during the game. He was sent to Helen Newberry Joy Hospital in Newberry for observation. He returned home that evening and Coach Elmer Albright is expected to play him in the Engadine's next game.

"David didn't suffer a concussion, but we were concerned about his condition," said Eagles Coach Elmer Albright. "Different people stepped up to fill in and that was the difference."

The Eagles held the Panthers to 12 first-half points, enjoying a 19-4 edge at the end of the first eight minutes and 15-8 in the second quarter for a 34-12 halftime advantage.

"On the defensive side, we kept their players at bay and our 1-2-2 press was effective," added Coach Albright.

Pickford, 2-3 in the league and 3-10 on the season, cut Engadine's lead to 49-31 with a 19-15 scoring edge in the third quarter. The Eagles, 3-2 in the EUPC and 9-5 overall, outscored the Panthers 22- 6 to ice the win.

Eagles Stats: Stefen Albright, 32 points, eight rebounds, four assists, three steals; John Troyer, 14 points, 11 rebounds, eight steals; Grayson Hood, 11 points, five assists, four steals; Nathan Butkovich, four points, four rebounds, three steals; David Derusha and Michael Bennett, four points; Damon Emery, two points, three assists; Ron Weger, two points.

Panthers Stats: McKinley Portice, 14 points; Paul Walsh, seven points; Pat Savoie and Kyle Barry, six points; Clayton Peffers, four points.

Eagles Breeze Past Polar Bears

Engadine went on the road to beat Grand Marais 80-46 Tuesday, February 6, with five players scoring in double figures for the Eagles.

The Eagles led 22-14 after the first eight minutes, increased the margin to 46-17, and outscored the Polar Bears 34-29 in the second half.

Eagles Stats: David Derusha, 15 points, six rebounds; John Troyer, 14 points, six rebounds; Doug Fulton, 12 points, five rebounds; Grayson Hood, 11 points; Stefen Albright, 10 points, three steals, three assists; Phillip Hood, Killian Frisch, and Tim Rose, four points; Ron Weger, Dylan Duflo, and Michael Kloburcher, two points.