Two Eagle comes up short at divisionals

BUTTE — The proud Two Eagle River Eagles (8-17) finished up their season this past weekend during the divisional tourney in Butte.

What makes the Eagles proud?

Two Eagle's up-and-down season peaked when it mattered. Two Eagle battled back and defeated rival Charlo during a challenge game on Feb. 21.

The Eagles traveled to Butte last Thursday to face off against the Bruins of Gardiner. Gardiner is known for running fast and shooting lots of threes. The Bruins took control of Thursday's game and jumped out early to a surprising 51-6 lead at halftime. Eagles' Gordon Ahenakew was the only team member to reach double figures. Ahenakew knocked down 16 points and had 10 boards.

"He (Ahenakew) was consistent for us," said Eagles head coach Rod Bird.

Gardiner's unforgiving full court pressure and man-to-man-in-your face defense proved to be more than the Eagles could handle.

Two Eagle turned over the ball 27 times during Thursday's game. The Bruins only average seven turnovers on the season, so it was tough work for the Eagles to steal the ball.

"Everybody got in the game and played," said Bird.

Two Eagle started to heat things up during the fourth quarter and outscored Gardiner 20-16, but it was to little to late. The Eagles fell victim to the sharp shooting Bruins and dropped the game 97-36. Eagle fans should realize that the Bruins went on to defeat Noxon 70-34 during Saturday's championship game to take first place during the divisional tourney.

With the loss to Gardiner the Eagles would next battle Lima. The Eagles regrouped and was able to get back into the swing of things.

Two Eagle defeated Lima 50-38 in a loser out game. The Eagles were able to send the Lima Bears packing by hitting some key shots.

At halftime the Eagles went into with a 26-16 advantage. During the second half Harley BigDay drained a trey to give the Eagles an eight-point lead. After BigDay's three the Eagles were able to pull away.

"He (BigDay) gave us that little push we needed," said Bird.

"This game got us back in the tournament mode. We started to put things together and play better," said Bird.

Ahenakew, the Eagles inside force, finished with a game high 19 points followed by Nick Olson who netted 17.

"We got a win and wanted to continue," said Bird after the Lima game.

Things did not go well on Saturday for the Eagles. In another loser out game the Eagles fell 48-45 to Alberton. After being down 25-15 at the half the Eagles regained control and outscored Alberton 30-21 during the second half.

Ahenakew was the only Eagle to scored in double figures with 15.

Turnovers again started to hurt the Eagles down the stretch. Alberton was able to pick up some easy buckets to hold back the Eagles.

Two Eagle got within three points with 1:20 left in the game, but could not capitalize and the Eagles season came to a close against Alberton.

"We had a rocky season," said Bird.

Coach Bird and the Eagles will lose four seniors to graduation.

The Eagles will miss both Olson and Ahenakew's inside presence.

"Both their talents will be missed," said Bird.

Magnus Harlow will also be missed next season. Harlow was a pleasant surprise, he had never played organized basketball before.

"He has a natural ability and made huge strides," said Bird.

Now the Eagles and coach Bird have the off-season to build and become stronger.

"We were not expected to get out of districts, but we did."

Gardiner 97, Two Eagle 36

Two Eagle 4 2 10 20 - 36

Gardiner 24 27 30 16 - 97

TWO EAGLE: Jesse Finely 5, Ike Mahkuk 1, Moss Tanner 1, Derek Hewankorn 2, Antoine Tenas 3, Magnus Harlow 3, Harley BigDay 5, Gordon Ahenakew 16.

GARDINER: Jason Tanascu 7, Trevor Anderson 21, Kory Rehmer 7, Alex Rehmer 3, Nick Broadhead 13, Steve Lobst 2, Taylor Tompkins 2, Damon Mitchell 9, Josh Young 6, Bodie Tobin 23, David Young 4.

Two Eagle 50, Lima 38

Lima 13 3 15 7 - 38

Two Eagle 13 13 11 13 - 50

LIMA: Chad Kluesner 2, Joel Rogers 9, Calvin Jackson 9, Seth Young 6, Dan Yuong 7, Ryan Cherry 5.

TWO EAGLE: Mike Parker 4, Nick Olson 17, Moss Tanner 2, Magnus Harlow 3, Harley BigDay 5, Gordon Ahenakew 19.

Alberton 48, Two Eagle 45

Alberton 10 15 8 13 - 48

Two Eagle 10 5 14 16 - 45

ALBERTON: Geof Dehne 13, Cody Nagy 5, Kort Graf 6, Justin Adams 7, Brandon Kohlwes 4, Jesse Jutila 14.

TWO EAGLE: Derek Hewankorn 2, Nick Olson 8, Magnus Harlow 6, Harley BigDay 6, Gordon Ahenakew 15.