Eagles top Orioles in HCC battle, but Unified game steals the show
Feb. 3—ZIONSVILLE — Anyone who has gone to a Zionsville boys basketball game in recent years has probably seen manager Anthony Saks shooting during halftime.
Saks often thrills the crowd by shooting and hitting half-court shots during the intermission between halves.
On Thursday night, Saks thrilled the crowd again at halftime, this time with the rest of his Unfied teammates as the Zionsville Unified Team faced off against Avon during halftime of boys varsity basketball game.
"He's always out there at halftime hitting shots and the kids all love 'A-Money'," Zionsville head coach J.R. Howell said. "He's one of the guys and he has been with us for three years now. It's been cool to see how the games have embraced him."
Howell said the Eagles tried to start a Unified game last year, but the logistics didn't come together.
He said they hope to do the game annually from now on. He said it was great to see the large crowd at Zionsville get behind the athletes, which also included Elizabeth Bower, Chris Berger, Adison Coleman, Cayla Creech, Grace Hamilton, Isaac Liddicoat, Brendan Murray, Lauren Paul and Saks.
"It's always great to have these types of nights," Howell said. "Being able to start that this year, we hope it's something we can continue with Avon. It was just a cool environment and it is great to see the kids accepting and including everyone."
Zionsville won the varsity game 68-56, their second-straight win.
The Eagles jumped out to a 20-point lead at halftime holding the Orioles to 14 points and 13% shooting.
"The first half, you couldn't ask for a better job than that," Howell said. "They didn't hit a field goal in the second quarter, just hit free throws. In the second half, they came out with a little more pressure and played a little more free and hit some shots. We have to do a better job of cleaning that up in the second half, but I'm happy with the way we defended all night."
Avon got themselves back into the game in the second half with their pressue.
They cut the lead to 15 by the end of the third quarter, then started the last period on a 10-2 run to get within 47-40.
But the Eagles held them off, staying aggressive offensively and getting to the free-throw line if they weren't making lay-ups.
"We have to help each other out," Howell said. "There are opportunities where we can flash and get an opening and we are just a little hesitant to do it. We have some inexperience. When you look at our starting line-up we have three sophomores that played JV last year and are nearing the end of their first varsity season. We just have to be stronger with the ball and want to have the ball to get to the free-throw line."
Maguire Mitchell and Logan Imes led the Eagles with 18 points apiece.
Nick Richart had 13 points and Drew Snively had 10.
Zionsville shot 55% from the field.
"The last couple of weeks, that balance has been consistent," Howell said. "That's what we need to have to take the pressure off one or two guys. It's making us harder to guard and makes it harder for teams to scout us."
Zionsville, which has already played the fourth-toughest schedule in the state, travels to No. 3 Center Grove on Tuesday.
Will Willems is the Sports Editor of the Lebanon Reporter. Follow him on Twitter @Will_Willems.
