Eagles rally to fly away with win at WCMS

Warren County Middle School’s seventh-grade boys held a two-point halftime lead over Van Buren County Tuesday night, but a big rally by the Eagles in the third period gave them just enough to edge the Pioneers 38-33 in the WCMS gym.

Van Buren’s William Holland was unstoppable during the first three minutes of the opening period as he netted eight points, which would be all of the Eagles’ points in the period. On the other end of the floor Warren County closed out the final 2:48 with seven unanswered points with baskets from Bryce Caten, who hit for five, and Hunter Mullican who added a bucket.

Holland once again led the Eagles as he hit for all seven of Van Buren’s points in the period. Caten responded with six points, and two baskets from Logan Underhill put Warren County up 17-15 at the break.

Warren County’s defense had trouble stopping the Eagles in the third period. Van Buren ran off 14 straight points as Sheldon Hitchcock, Michael Shockley and Holland hit. Warren County’s only point in the period came with 25 seconds left on the clock when Caten hit one-of-two from the line. Van Buren added a basket to end the quarter to take a 31-18 lead.

The final period started with Underhill hitting a 3-pointer and Caten followed with a basket. Underhill connected on another 3-pointer at the 4:43 mark. The Pioneers narrowed the gap, but Hitchcock went to the line and hit four-of-four in the final minute to give the Eagles the victory.

Caten led the Pioneers with 16 points. Underhill netted 13, David Lee and Hunter Mullican added two points each.

For the Eagles, Holland hit for 22, Hitchcock added 11, Brandon Barnes and Shockley had two points each and Tucker McDonald added one point.