EAGLES TAKE FLIGHT

YOUNGSTOWN OH- Last time these two EOAC Rivals met, it came down to a couple buckets by the Valley Christian Eagles getting the victory over the East Palestine Bulldogs 37 to 31. Fast forward nearly two months later, Jason Rays Bulldogs were looking to fetch themselves their third win of the season and what better way than revenge on coach Dolph Carrolls Eagles who were looking to get back to .500.

1st Half
Valley Christian got off to a six to 0 run to start off the game with a free throw from Joey Battista, a two point shot by Ra’Shaun Bell and a putback lay up by Jon’Trell Mixon. The Bulldogs stormed right back with a three by Tyler Bistarkey and Ryan Rosen making it 10 to five at the end of one.

The second quarter had more offensive action between the two Conference rivals. Owen JurJavcic hit a three along with Payton Elliott but Jhordan Peete came right back at them with a three for Valley along with Kaydin Brown coming into the picture from downtown. What was the success was the box out and put back layups by Jon’Trell Mixon who had 14 in the first half alone.

At the end of two going into the half, it was now 25 to 18. East Palestine and coach Ray had the Eagles just like before and with some players out, they looked to comeback from a seven point deficit and finish. Meanwhile coach Dolph wanted his players to play more aggressively in that second half.

2nd Half
Looks like coach Carroll’s halftime speech paid off after a close first half as out of nowhere, the Eagles would score 29 unanswered points in the third with back to back threes by Battista and put back layups and free throws by Mixon in the third and fourth quarter. Alijah Gibson scored a two point jumper on his side of the ball with really good defensive play.

Rosen and Elliott scored threes later on in the third and fourth quarter alike. However in the end, that would be all she wrote as Valley Christian had now won four in a row against the East Palestine Bulldogs (Beat them in 2020-21 1/15 54-26, 2/12/21 66-27), and early on in the 21-22 season 37-31.

Stats
Valley Christian:

1 Jhordan Peete: 12pts

2 Kaydin Brown: 6pts

3 Alijah Gibson: 2pts

4 Ra’Shaun Bell: 9pts

5 VeShun Gurley: 5pts

12: Jon’Quall Pabellon: 2pts

13: Jon’Trell Mixon: 26pts

22: Joey Battista: 14pts

East Palestine:

1 Tyler Bistarkey: 9pts

2 Ryan Rosen: 7pts