KFDM COOP Posted February 7, 2008 Report Posted February 7, 2008 Eagles to face C.E. King in crucial contest By Michael Pineda Baytown Sun Published February 8, 2008 The season is on the brink for the Barbers Hill boys’ basketball team. With two games remaining in district, the Eagles are tied with C.E. King at 7-5 for the final playoff spot from District 21-4A. The two teams will meet tonight at 7 p.m. on the campus of Barbers Hill as the postseason, for all intents and purposes, begins for both teams. The winner will clinch a tie for third place, assuming that team takes care of business next Tuesday. A bi-district playoff game against Beaumont Central is on the line. “At this point in the year you want the games to mean something,†Barbers Hill head coach Nathan Toon said. “This is great for the kids. For either program to make the playoffs would be a big deal. “We made the playoffs two years ago but we haven’t made it in Class 4A. Coming into the season we weren’t expected to make it.†In the two teams’ previous meeting at C.E. King, the Eagles dropped a 62-56 decision as they were slowed by a flu bug. This time around, the team is healthy and ready to go as it prepares to face the full-court pressure of the Panthers. “The first time we played them they pressed us, but we didn’t turn the ball over,†Toon said. “We just didn’t hit our open shots.†The Eagles have won three of their last five games with the only losses coming at the hands of Smiley and Crosby, teams that have clinched the top two spots in the district. In Barbers Hill’s most recent game, Brooks Ybarra scored 43 points to lead the team to a 72-61 win over Huffman. Ybarra has continued to grow within the team chemistry after missing the first half of the season with a broken foot. “We’ve had our ups and downs this season but that is part of the norm,†Toon said. “We know this will be a tough game but we will have our home crowd behind us. The community takes a lot of pride in their school and to make the playoffs would mean a great deal.†Barbers Hill will close out the season on the road against Galena Park, which is 6-6 in district. C.E. King will also be on the road against Huffman, also 6-6. In another area game tonight with playoff potential, Sterling will attempt to keep its playoff hopes alive when it travels to Atascocita. The Rangers trail Atascocita’s Eagles and Port Arthur Memorial, the teams tied for District 21-5A’s final playoff spot, by two games with two to play. Memorial will face West Brook tonight and will close out the season at Sterling.
Recommended Posts