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Eagles close out Maplewood to pick up 5th win of season

Youngsville’s Ethan Kesterholt (2) goes in for a layup ahead of Maplewood’s Jake Brunot (10) during the fourth quarter of their game at Youngsville High School, Monday, Dec. 23, 2019. The Eagles defeated the Tigers, 53-44.

A big second-quarter run and clutch free-throw shooting in the fourth quarter led Youngsville to a 53-44 Region 3 win over visiting Maplewood Monday.

The Eagles went on a 16-0 run in the second quarter after the Tigers had taken a 16-12 lead. They then went 9-12 from the free-throw

line in the fourth quarter to pull away after Maplewood had closed the gap to just three points.

“We made foul shots when we needed to,” Youngsville coach Jesse DeLoof said. “We didn’t shoot well enough though. We bent but didn’t break and made plays when we needed to.”

A back-and-forth first quarter ended with the Eagles (5-3 overall, 2-1 Region 3) holding a 12-10 advantage. Maplewood (3-4, 1-2) opened the second with a 6-0 run to make it 16-12 with 5:46 to play. With 5:06 to go in the half, Gage Hendrickson put back an offensive rebound to start the Youngsville run. Over the next 4:40, the Eagles made basket after basket. Hendrickson hit three 3-pointers in that stretch. Maplewood’s Jonathan Nageotte put back an offensive rebound with 20 seconds left in the half to end the run.

Youngsville led 28-18 at halftime.

Youngsville’s Timber Bower puts up a jump shot over a host of Maplewood defenders during the fourth quarter of their game at Youngsville High School, Monday, Dec. 23, 2019. Bower finished with nine points and the Eagles topped the Tigers, 53-44.

“We’re starting to take what the defense gives us,” DeLoof said. “We’ve got five guys who can pass, dribble and shoot. They’re all interchangeable.”

The Tigers took advantage of some sloppy play by the Eagles in the third quarter to cut into the lead. Turnovers led to transition points, and Youngsville missed some shots through the first four minutes of the frame as Maplewood trimmed the deficit to 30-28 with just under four minutes left in the period. The teams traded baskets through the end of the quarter, but Youngsville held a 36-33 advantage heading to the fourth.

“We were trying to make the highlight play and turned the ball over,” DeLoof said.

The teams started to pick up the pace to start the final eight minutes. Still, Youngsville held on to the one-score lead. With 3:13 to go, Austin Peterson hit a pair of free throws to extend the lead to 43-39. Timber Bower followed with a pair of free throws and a 16-foot jumper on consecutive possessions to make it 47-39 with 2:30 to play.

“Timber gave everything he had tonight,” DeLoof said. “His basketball IQ is so high. He always makes the right play.”

Joe Mack threw up a prayer from the middle of the key as he was falling down. The ball banked in to make it 49-39 with two minutes to go. Hendrickson went 4-6 from the line in the final minute to secure the win.

“They never hit the panic button,” DeLoof said. “They know they can (win these games).”

Hendrickson finished with a game-high 27 points. Bower added nine points and Brady Olewine seven.

Joel Cox led the Tigers with 16 points, while Nageotte had 11.

The Eagles head across Route 6 this weekend to compete in the Sheffield Holiday Tournament. Youngsville opens against Sheffield in Friday’s nightcap.

——

MAPLEWOOD (44)

J. Cox 6-2-2-16, Nagoette 5-1-1-11, C. Cox 1-0-0-2, Bohte 1-0-0-2, Mattocks 1-0-2-2, Brunot 1-0-0-3, Donor 1-0-0-2, Hamilton 1-0-0-3, Wheeling 1-0-0-3, Totals 18-2-5-44

YOUNGSVILLE (53)

Hendrickson 8-7-10-27, Bower 2-5-8-9, Olewine 3-0-0-7, Kesterholt 2-0-0-4, Mack 1-2-4-4, Peterson 0-2-2-2, Dell 0-0-0-0, Totals 16-16-24-53

By Quarters

Maplewood 10 8 15 11 – 44

Youngsville 12 16 8 17 – 53

3-point FGs: Maplewood (5) – J. Cox 2, Brunt, Hamilton, Wheeling. Youngsville (5) – Hendrickson 4, Olewine.

——

JV: MAPLEWOOD 53, YOUNGSVILLE 46

Youngsville tried to rally late, but Maplewood held on for a 53-46 junior varsity win.

Logan Kennedy led the Tigers with 14 points.

Dominic Dell had 18 points while Xavier Mowrey had 14 in the loss.

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