By Jeremy McDonald
Jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com
TURNER,Ore.– Man, for a half there, Crosshill Christian was right there. Going toe-to-toe with Regis.
Down a few players to illness and injury, the Eagles found themselves down 34-28 at the halftime break to the Rams in a relatively high-pace game to open the season. Regis, looking like mid-season form already out of the gate, but Crosshill was right there with them as the two squads had entered the second half looking to continue their pace from the opening half of the game.
“We came out, it was six at halftime, we were right there. Turnovers killed us, we could’ve possibly been tied, possibly leading that first half, we missed some free throws. We got to work on our turnovers,” said Crosshill Christian Head Coach Brian Spaulding. “Fortunately it’s only one game out of 23 games left for us to learn from our mistakes. Unfortunately it didn’t go our way, but we know we’re a better team than we showed out here tonight.
“We just got to hold each other accountable, we got to work harder in practice. Concentrate on what we’re doing, the small things, the fundamental things.”
And it was the small things that helped the Rams pull away in the season opener for both teams. They stepped up their energy, they created turnovers, they translated that into points. Slowly that six point lead because a 21 point lead by quarters end as they led 56-35 over the Eagles.
Their lead pushed to 30 in the fourth quarter as they took the game 71-42 to open the season at home.
“It was our energy and our defense. We really started to make them turn over the ball instead of turning the ball over ourselves,” said Eli Silbernagel. “I’d say this was one of the more fun games we’ve played. Just knowing that it’s important and that it matters.”
Silbernagel led the Rams with 26 points and Lucas Kohnke contributed another 12 for Regis. Grady Lytle led Crosshill with 23 points.
The Eagles are at South Wasco County on Saturday while Regis will head to Amity on Monday night.
Photos By Jeremy McDonald
