Eagles pick up key wins over Diboll and Huntington
Big showdown slated in Crockett Friday
BY LELAND ACKER STAFF WRITER

Chance Cleaver (21) makes a move on a Diboll defender during Rusk's 61-57 win over the Diboll Lumberjacks on Jan. 23. Rusk gave up a 43-24 halftime lead and had to fight for survival in the 4th quarter. The win splits the series between Rusk and Diboll, and sets the stage for crucial showdown with Crockett Friday. PHOTO: LELAND ACKER

"Bombs away" was the theme as the Eagles made six threepointers en route to a 58-46 win over the Huntington Red Devils Friday at Eagle Gymnasium. Demarcus Skinner led the raid with five three pointers and 22 points.

The Eagles put together a 14-3 run to take the lead 29- 15 at the end of the 1st half. However, the Devils possessed the 4th quarter, outscoring the feathered flock 21-13. None the less, the Eagles came away with the victory.

"We had a good first half," Head Coach Tracy Kincade said. "Things got a little heated in the 4th quarter."

Coach Kincade referred to a couple of hard fouls, which led to a conference between the referees and the coaches. Ultimately, it was the Huntington coach who would be charged with a technical foul.

The win propells Rusk to a 4-5 record in District 20-AAA. Rusk is tied with Diboll for 4th place and can make the playoffs by winning out for the rest of the season.

If Rusk falls to Crockett Friday, their best hope is to tie the 3rd place team and force a playoff. The Eagles will take the court in Crockett following the Girls Varsity and Boys JV game at 5 p.m. Friday at Crockett High School.

Eagles survive Diboll game

Watching the Rusk Eagles play the 2nd half against the Diboll Lumberjacks was like watching Lightning McQueen trying to win the Piston Cup with two blown tires in the hit movie Cars.

The Eagles had rallied the Lumberjacks in the 1st half, taking a 43-24 lead, but Diboll came roaring back in the 2nd half, threatening overtime.

When the smoke cleared, Rusk had managed a 61-57 win.

Skinner made two threepointers while Brent Jones added one.

Lady Eagles scare

the Devillettes

If Huntington came into Friday's game with the Rusk Lady Eagles expecting to be able to play the bench at halftime, they were sorely dissappointed.

The Lady Eagles played hard the 1st half, staying within eight points of Huntington.

Though Rusk played hard, the Devillettes played consistently throughout the 2nd and 3rd quarters, before Rusk held them to six 4th quarter points. Rusk lost 38-22 to Huntington.

Lady Eagles fall

to 5th ranked Diboll

The Diboll LadyJacks came into Tuesday's game 23-4 on the season and 9-0 in district play. Diboll had also been ranked number five in the state of Texas. Despite the challenges, the Lady Eagles were able to get five players in the scorebook, and Sheena Henderson made one three-pointer.

The Lady Eagles travel to Crockett Friday, and conclude their season at home Tuesday against the Carthage Lady Bulldogs. JV games begin at 5 p.m.