Arguably Rocky Grove's Thursday night home matchup against Youngsville was one of the best chances the Orioles have all year to put up a W. Coach Brad Clayton added some incentive to the game offering up a chance to win a Sheetz gift card to high schoolers to come and support the Orioles, hoping to fill the stands and encourage his young athletes to raise their game. The Eagles were also winless in the region but had notched a pair of wins on the season. Of course, they wanted to win as well. |
Clayton's plan had an effect on the crowd size with a bigger-than-usual student section. And those kids really cheered every point one of the 19 points the home team scored. Unfortunately, the Eagle put up 41.
The Grove battled tough in the first quarter scoring the first four points, and at the end of the inaugural eight minutes, they were up 6-5. Then Youngsville slowly began to pull away and added to their lead every quarter after.
But this team, with a first-year coach, has been battling. They aren't afraid to put their bodies on the floor for a loose ball and they seem to be more confident about putting the ball up toward the hoop. Eventually, they will start to pass through the cords.
This is a building year for a team with no senior players. And watching Coach Clayton interact with the players, the goal is learning and improving each game. If a win comes... well that's just gravy!