Last night at the Brookfield High School gym, winter sports in Linn County came to a crashing halt. The Meadville Lady Eagles and Eagles were in action for a pair of Sectional State Playoff games. Neither team was victorious, with both squads losing close games.
In the girls game, the Lady Eagles faced a size disadvantage against top-ranked, and defending second place in State, Marion County. Neither team scored until the 4:22 mark and a hoop from Marion County. A free throw on the next trip down-court from Kaylen Holcer, and a field goal at the 3:35 mark were the first points for the Lady Eagles. A three-pointer from Kaylen at the 2:06 mark gave Meadville its first lead, but Marion County re-tied the game just under a minute later. After one quarter, the teams were tied 8-8. Kaylen Holcer had four points in the opening frame to lead scoring.
Marion County would score first in the second quarter, and hold the Lady Eagles scoreless for the first five minutes of the frame. A three-pointer from Kaylen at the 3:00 mark ended an 11-0 opening run from Marion County. At the half, Meadville was down 19-11, with Kaylen’s three points as the only ones on the board for the Lady Eagles.
In the nightcap, the Eagles put their undefeated season on the line against LaPlata. LaPlata scored first a mere seven seconds into the game. Meadville got on the board with a pair of Rick Tate free throws just under a minute later. Tate put in the first field goal at the 6:42 mark, and the Eagles were off on a 6-0 run that ended with a LaPlata three-pointer at the 5:50 mark. The Eagles would go on a second run later in the first quarter, this time 4-0 and ending at the 3:17 mark. But, LaPlata would rally back late in the frame, and take the lead with 14 seconds left in the quarter. After the first quarter was in the books, Meadville was down 11-10. Cody Smith had six points to lead scoring for the Eagles in the opening frame.
LaPlata scored first with a three-ball 12 seconds into the second quarter and went on a 7-0 run reaching back to the end of the first quarter. This run ended with a Tate basket at the 6:11 mark and put the Eagles on the board in the second salvo of the battle. The teams exchanged three-pointers for a minute late in the quarter, with Tanner Baker draining the shots from downtown for Meadville. At the half, the Eagles were down 24-22. Baker had six points to lead scoring in the second quarter.
- See today's LCL for the completion of both stories
