A cold and windy December Saturday night brought us to Glenoak high school for the Eagles opening night hosting the 2-0 Alliance Aviators. The Aviators came into this one undefeated after knocking off Northwest in their home opener and Salem the night before their battle with the Eagles. This would be the Eagles first game of the season coming off of a 20-7 season in 2024. Expectations are high for 2024.
The First quarter was a back and forth battle with scoring. The Eagles looked strong in the opening quarter after taking a 22-17 lead to end the first. Alliance would struggle to contain the Eagles senior big man in Reese Zerger who would finish the game with 20+ points. Zerger was all over the ball when it came to getting boards for the Eagles also in this one. Alliance hung with them in the first half due to Richard Jackson catching fire amounting for 9 points in the first quarter for Alliance. The second quarter did not disappoint either with Alliance really starting to find their groove putting up 17 more points and showing up on defense only allowing 12 in the second quarter. This would ultimately be enough to give the Aviators a 1 point lead heading into the half.
The 3rd quarter was a struggle to say the least for the Golden Eagles as they did not score a single point in the first 5 minutes of play. This would result in Alliance going on a 10-0 run and having an 11 point lead at around the 3 minute mark in the 3rd. The Eagles finally got back on the board thanks to a Issa White 3 ball that would cut into Alliance's lead and put the deficit down to single digits again. That would get Glenoak rolling. In the last 3 minutes of the 3rd quarter they were able to take advantage of a struggling Alliance offense and cut the lead to just one making it a 44-43 Aviators lead after 3 quarters.
Alliance came out of the huddle with a quick two points which prompted Reese Zerger to take matters into his own hands. Zerger jacked up a corner 3 that he knocked down and Glenoak tied it up. The rest of the 4th quarter was very back and forth and with 1:19 on the clock Alliance had a 3 point lead. Aviators first year Junior Guard Kam Burton, who had 22 points on the night, put up a tough layup that would put the game out of reach for the Eagles and Alliance would take the win and stay undefeated as they moved to 3-0 on the season. Glenoak does not have time to dwell on the loss as they will head to 13th street next week to play the Central Catholic Crusaders on Tuesday and the Perry Panthers on Friday. Alliance after a 3 game week will get some to rest as they will play Carrollton on Friday.
Comments