Basketball improving at Two Eagle

SUPERIOR — The Two Eagle River Eagles and Lady Eagles each took two losses this past weekend. The girls first lost 60-17 to Charlo on Friday in Pablo, then were beaten 67-24 by Superior on Saturday on the road. The boys fell 55-39 to Charlo and 76-46 to Superior on the same nights.

Facing two tough teams made for a tricky weekend for the Lady Eagles, who fell shorthanded after a knee injury to freshman Tashina Malatare just after half-time in the Charlo game, head coach Mark Shackelford said.

Two Eagle River was still awaiting medical confirmation as to the severity of the injury as of press time.

Coupled with the loss of sophomore guard Tera Moore, who was out all weekend with a back injury, the team was only able to dress five players against Superior.

Hosting Charlo, Shakelford said his players lost sight of their strengths.

“They forget how we score points sometimes,” Shakelford said, explaining that his players tried to work the ball around the perimeter instead of moving it to the inside, where they get most of their points.

At Superior, Shakelford could tell his girls were tiring out, but had to pick and use his precious timeouts as best he could.

Playing with only five against the aggressive Bobcats took its toll on the Eagles. It slowed his team’s motivation as well as its progress.

“I know its frustrating to have only five players,” he said.

But he still wants his team to find an extra kick even when it loses.

“I wish they’d finish in the hard times as well as they do in the good times,” he said.

The Eagles play at St. Regis on Friday and then at Lincoln on Saturday. Both teams they have beat, Shakelford expects to come away with two wins.

The boys basketball team kept a closer gap in the competition, led by a couple of big performers.

Senior Nate Drennan scored an impressive 19 points, snagged 12 rebounds and put up five blocks in the game against Superior.

Against Charlo, junior James Maestas was Eagle scorer to keep your eye on, dropping 16 to lead his team.

Eagle head coach Jami Hanson said his team became a little impatient in the Charlo game after Charlo’s Kolten Andrews stepped up and made three unanswered threes.

“We tried to push the ball a little bit and we made turnovers,” Hanson said. “We just got to be able to settle down on offense and be patient and move the ball around until we get the open shot.”  

Against superior his team shot the ball better, going 7-11 from the freethrow line and making 17 of 30 from the field.

But they also had 34 turnovers.

“That’s what cost us the game,” Hanson said.

He said his team needs to slow its roll down court and setup.

“We need to turn that around before districts in three weeks,” Hanson said.

Like the girls, the boys host St. Regis on Friday, then play at Lincoln on Saturday.