EAGLES GAIN GROUND IN EOAC
HANOVERTON OH- Heading into the season United knew if they were to live up to the lofty expectations of their peers and take control of the EOAC, defeating Columbiana would be the measuring stick. Eagle nation showed up Monday night ready to help fly their team to the top of the standings. Behind a very large and vocal home crowd the Eagles did not disappoint defeating Columbiana 39-26 taking over sole possession at the top of the EOAC standings.
Coach Josh Sigler knew the magnitude of this victory “This is a big win for us, Columbiana has always been at the top and for us to get to that level we knew we had to beat them.”
Led by a stingy defense and timely shooting the Eagles were able to take a 11-5 lead after the first quarter. Columbiana was able to regroup in the second scoring the first five points of the quarter behind a defense that caused United to turn the ball over on their first four possessions. Trailing by just 1 point Columbiana had the momentum early in the second, however this was the closest the Clippers would come the rest of the night. United after a timeout was able to calm themselves and execute on offense.
Sophomore Grayson Kidder picked a great time to score her 5 points on the night connecting on two clutch shots extending the Eagle’s lead. United guard Madison Kibler decided to become clutch herself, taking the ball the length of the of the floor hitting a three at the 2nd quarter buzzer igniting the United crowd and extending their lead to 21-12 at the break. Kibler in the first half really helped spark her squad offensively on her way to a game high 17 points.
Coach Sigler likes what he is seeing in Kibler “She is becoming the leader of this squad. Her shooting and ball handling ability is very noticeable but it’s her defense which is really sparking our team” Coming out of the locker room the Clippers implemented their patented 2-2-1 pressure to help dictate the pace in the second half. The pressure defense of Columbiana at times confused United leading to numerous offensive opportunities for the Clippers
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Behind a strong showing on the offensive glass Columbiana was able to trim the United lead to single digits early in the fourth quarter. Caitlyn Pleska helped lead the Clippers charge with a team high 8 points. The comeback attempt ended there as United, behind Senior Colby Burton’s key rebounding on the defensive end, held Columbiana to just seven 4th quarter points leading to their 5th straight victory. Moving forward with this season.
Sigler knows many challenges await his squad “This is just the beginning, we told the girls before the game it’s time to put their big girl pants on. Beginning with this game our schedule really ramps up the rest of December.” The Eagle’s coach also acknowledged the efforts of those in the stands “ Our crowd was tremendous, I could not be happier that the student body turned out in full force tonight. This was a team victory by everyone involved.”
Columbiana (4-2, 3-1) looks to get back on track Thursday hosting Leetonia. United (5-1, 4-0) begins a three game road trip on Thursday visiting East Palestine.
*Contributed By YSN’s Chris Sigler
