ES Hoop Scoop - a rundown of Eureka Springs basketball results

Eureka Springs Highlanders' basketball games scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 15 against the Johnson County Westside Rebels that were postponed due to winter weather have been rescheduled for Saturday, Feb. 2 beginning at noon, starting with the junior high games first. (They start early because ES is hosting the junior high district tournament that evening.)

* Friday, Jan. 25 -- ESHS at Mountainburg

* Tuesday, Jan. 29 -- ESHS hosts Union Christian (Fort Smith)

Senior Boys:

This was nothing like the December game at home against the Rattlers when the Scots ran away for a 70-44 victory. This was a hard fought game from the get go. Josh Premeau pounded away on the inside and Dalton Johnson and Trevor Lemme let the 3's rain down from the outside. Magazine led 17-12 at the quarter, but the Scots took 30-28 lead at the half only to have the Rattlers strike back in the third quarter to take a 48-44 lead. The fourth quarter was a free for all with both teams trying their best to give the game away. The last minute saw Eureka trying to hold on to a 57-56 lead but missed the first of two 1and 1 free throw attempts and committed 2 turnovers but the Rattlers had taken their last bite as they turned the ball over twice and failed to hit any shots and the game ended with no change to the 57-56 score. It was the first conference road win for the Scots. Eureka was led by Josh Premeau with 26 points, 12 points each by Dalton Johnson and Trevor Lemme (all 3's), Tanner Allee 4 and Jake McClung 3. Their record is now 12-12, 4-4 in conference.

Senior Girls:

Not much can be said when you lose the game 70-17 similar to the 69-19 loss at home in December. but the Lady Rattlers are one the three biggies in the conference and it showed in this mismatch. They led 19-4 at the quarter, 45-10 at half, 53-15 at the third quarter and continued to pile it on in the fourth quarter even with the clock still running continuously - it is one thing to beat a team but when does it turn to humiliation. The Lady Highlanders were led by Abbey Moore with 7 points, followed by Taylor Osterhout with 5, Jazmine Urioste 3 and Haley Comstock 2. Their record is now 9-15, 2-6 in conference.

Senior Boys:

This game went much the same way as the game at Hackett in December, a 42-30 loss for the Scots. A low scoring defensive battle. The Hornets like to slow down the pace, get back quickly on defense, and not let Eureka get its fast break going. This kept Eureka from getting into any offensive rhythm. Not even switching to the "softer" rims from the old gym helped. Hackett led 15-13 at the quarter, 28-25 at the half, 37-31 at the third quarter - the trend was set. The Scots went scoreless over a 6 minute stretch - the last 2 of the half and the first four of the third quarter as Hackett slowly built its lead but the Scots battled back to trail by only 4 mid-way of the fourth but with free throws the Hornets built the lead to 45-38. A 3-pointer at the buzzer by Dalton Johnson narrowed the final margin to 45-41. It was a game of what ifs but in the end it was the first conference loss at home. The Scots were led in scoring by Dalton Johnson with 15 (5 3's), Josh Premeau with 11, Trevor Lemme with 8 (2 3's), Tanner Allee with 4 and Jake McClung with 3. The Scots are now 12-13, 4-5 in conference.

Senior Girls:

The Lady Hornets came in as the preseason #4 pick in the conference. The Lady Scots had lost at Hackett in December 39-20 so they were trying to move up in the conference standings after opening the new year with 2 conference wins. But this one was Hackett all the way, leading 10-3 at the quarter, 22-8 at the half, 45-19 at the third quarter and with the clock running continuously in the fourth quarter finished with a 50-24 win. The lack of depth showed again as Hackett substituted freely and just physically wore the Lady Scots down. They are now 9-16, 2-7 in the conference but still have games with Hartford and Decatur who they just defeated earlier this month.

-- Gary Boller