Engadine Eagles Fall in District Finals to Superior Central

Phillip Hood

The Engadine Eagles boys basketball team held a four-point lead going into the fourth quarter, but could not hold on as the host Superior Central Cougars posted a 55-50 Class D district championship Friday, February 29.

"We rushed some shots in the fourth quarter, and the free throws played a factor," said Eagles Coach Elmer Albright.

Engadine (12-9 overall) led 17- 10 after the first eight minutes and 25-22 at halftime after the Cougars held a 12-8 scoring edge in the second quarter.

The Eagles took a 37-33 lead into the fourth quarter, with a 12- 11 scoring run in the third quarter, before Superior Central outscored Engadine 22-13 in the final eight minutes.

The Cougars made 12 of 19 free throws during the game, including 9 of 12 in the fourth quarter, and the Eagles connected on 6 of 9 from the charity stripe and 4 of 5 in the final period.

Coach Albright will lose six players to graduation, including John Troyer, Michael Bennett, Joel VanHise, Nathan Butkovich, Joe Patrow, and Daron Emery.

"Overall, I was pleased with our season. We finished tied for second place in the Eastern Upper Peninsula Conference and were minutes away from winning the district title," said Coach Albright.

Eagles statistics: Phillip Hood, 14 points, four steals; John Troyer, 11 points, four assists; Nathan Butkovich, six points, seven rebounds; Michael Bennett, six points; Joe Patrow, five points; Killian Frisch, three points, six rebounds; Devon Derusha, three points; Daron Emery, two points.

Statistics for Superior Central were not available.

Eagles Down Rockets

in District Semifinals

The Engadine Eagles trailed by seven points after the first eight minutes before turning the game around with a 10-point advantage during the final three quarters to beat the Rapid River Rockets 66- 63 during the Class D district semifinals at Superior Central Wednesday, February 27.

"We were patient on offense, and our outside scoring stepped up after Rapid River cut down our inside play," said Coach Albright.

Rapid River led 20-13 after the first eight minutes before Engadine cut the Rockets lead to 31-27 at halftime with a 14-11 scoring edge in the second quarter.

The Eagles took control in the second half, outscoring the Rockets 39-32, including a 18-14 scoring advantage in the third quarter and a 21-18 run in the final eight minutes.

The turning point came with Rapid River leading 57-51 with three minutes left in the game. Phillip Hood converted a rare fourpoint play that sparked the Eagles on a 15-6 offensive run, leading to the three-point win.

Eagles statistics: Joe Patrow, 22 points, five rebounds, three assists; Phillip Hood, 19 points, six rebounds, six steals, three assists; Nathan Butkovich, six points, six rebounds; John Troyer, six points; Joel VanHise, four points; Michael Bennett, three points; Daron Emery, two points, three assists; Devon Derusha, Killian Frisch, two points.

Statistics for Rapid River were not available.