Despite a promising and competitive first half, the Eckville Senior Mens Aces basketball team came up short 50-62 to Parkview on January 11.
The game was a lock tied 23-23 at half time. The Aces squad were matching Parkview’s defensive intensity, however the second half saw the Ace’s offensive sputter according to Ace’s Coach, Merle Sarri.
“First half went well - then the boys started playing as individuals and not as a team,” he said.
Grade 12 player Isaiah Staples would finish with 19 points in the loss, while Ace Tyson Dyrland would add eight of his own.
Staples and Dyrland are two of the four Grade 12 veteran players Sarri will be relying on this season. “I’m leaning on Isaiah, Kaden (Judson) and Korbyn (Lentz). Isaiah is a great ball player; same with Kaden. Korbyn is very vocal,” said Sarri.
The Aces are looking to improve on their second half effort by getting the basketball moving more. “Whole bunch of ball movement,” Sarri said. “We need to get guys passing the ball and trying to get them to talk.”
Sarri added, in order for the Aces defense to excel they need to continue to be “faster than them” and “stick with their men and stop the ball.”
The Aces go on the road to play Spruce View, where Coach Cody Magneson will sub in for Sarri as coach for the game.
“We are just trying to get a ‘W’ right now,” Sarri said. “Magsy [Coach Magneson] is going to take over and coach the guys up – I’m sure he will do a good job.”
reporter@eckvilleecho.com