EDDYVILLE — The Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont Rockets were on a mission Tuesday night. Their goal was to nail down their third consecutive South Central Conference title.
Mission accomplished.
The sixth-ranked (2A) Rockets took no prisoners as they tore through the visiting Centerville Redettes. EBF's 67-16 win lifted the Rockets to 11-0 in conference play, clinching the program's third consecutive SCC title.
The tone was set early as sharp shooting Ava Eastlick buried a three, Kate Shafer connected on the inside and on a breakaway layup and Aliya Wagamon put down one of two free throws for a quick 8-0 EBF lead after two minutes of play.
Centerville’s Adriana Howard interrupted the Rocket fun with a shot in the lane, but those were the only Centerville points of the first period.
EBF went back to work as Wagamon rammed a rebound home, scored on the inside and added another free throw. Molly Shafer got into the fray with a rebound put back and an inside bucket and Eastlick fired in another triple and a baseline jumper for a 22-2 EBF lead after one quarter.
A 25-7 EBF edge in the second stanza sent the Rockets into halftime with a very comfortable 47-9 lead. Eastlick led that charge as well as she poured in another three ball, a baseline shot and a drive to the rack following a steal. Kate Shafer drained three baskets while twin sister Molly canned a pair of baskets and two free throws and Wagamon added three inside baskets.
Centerville’s only answer was an inside three-point play by Howard and a basket in the lane by Payden Hoffman.
By halftime the 35-point margin had been reached for the mercy rule to be in effect for the second half. Still the Rockets forged on with a 15-5 third period advantage and then closed the book on a 67-16 win.
“We did what we came to do,” EBF coach Tony Fenton said. “Our kids played well and everybody contributed to the win. We had nice balance with four players in double figures. Our defense forced a lot of turnovers and we hit the board hard.”
Eastlick led the Rockets with 23 points, Wagamon chipped in with 15 points and Kate and Molly Shafer each added 12 points to the total. Howard scored 12 of the 16 Centerville points to lead her team.
The sixth-ranked (2A) Rockets are at No. 10 (1A) Montezuma Friday. EBF takes on two more ranked teams next week, hosting No. 12 North Mahaska in a battle of 2A state tournament hopefuls on Monday before traveling to third-ranked Martensdale-St. Mary’s on Tuesday.
Centerville will host Ottumwa on Thursday. Next Monday, the Redettes host Sigourney.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
No. 6 (2A) Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont 67, Centerville 16
Centerville 2 7 5 2 - 16
EBF 22 25 15 5 - 67
Centerville scoring (FG FTM-FTA Pts) – Adrianna Howard 5 2-2 12, Payden Hoffman 1 0-0 2, Addison Drew 1 0-0 2, Team 7 2-2 16. Three-point goals – None.
EBF scoring (FG FTM-FTA Pts) – Molly Shafer 5 2-2 12, Ava Eastlick 10 0-0 23, Kate Shafer 6 0-2 12, Aliya Wagamon 6 3-7 15, Kinley Lobberecht 0 1-4 1, Emilee Kerby 1 0-0 2, Teagan Harter 0 2-2 2. Team 28 8-17 67. Three-point goals (3) – Eastlick 3.
EBF rebounds (21) – M. Shafer 6, Wagamon 6, K. Shafer 5, Lobberecht 1, Eastlick 1, Harter 1, Kaylee Helm 1.
EBF steals (20) – M. Shafer 6, Eastlick 6, K. Shafer 5, Wagamon 4.
EBF Assists (11) - M. Shafter 5, Wagamon 3, Eastlick 2.
