The Frederick Golden Eagles traveled to Standley Lake, where they faced the Standley Lake Gators in a highly anticipated matchup. The game took place in front of a rowdy and passionate crowd known as “The Swamp,” creating an electric atmosphere that added intensity to the already high-stakes contest.
The Golden Eagles entered the game looking to bounce back after suffering a two-game losing streak, following an impressive five-game win streak earlier in the season. The team has had to endure significant adversity, particularly with the season-ending injury to their best player, Jovan Aldana. However, the Eagles were bolstered by the return of Olly Justice, who is expected to play a key role as the team continues its push toward a potential state title.
Olly Justice summed up the team’s mentality heading into the game, saying “The motto for this game, and really the rest of the season, is ‘Play for Jovan.’”
The Eagles came out firing in the first quarter, with Dante Lechuga hitting two early threes to shift momentum in their favor. However, Standley Lake responded late in the quarter, finishing strong and taking a 20-17 lead into the second period.
The second quarter saw both teams ramp up their defensive efforts, leading to a low-scoring affair. Despite the solid defense, the Eagles managed to win the quarter 9-7, but still found themselves trailing by a single point at halftime, 27-26.
Zach Burton reflected on the close first half, saying “It was a one-point game going into the second half. Our main focus was to rebound and keep the defensive pressure on.”
In the second half, Olly Justice took control of the game, showcasing his scoring ability with multiple three-pointers and driving to the rim. He led the Eagles with 21 points in the second half, giving the team a much-needed offensive boost.
However, the game took a turn when Zach Burton received a crucial technical foul, which resulted in Standley Lake Capitalizing on the opportunity and extending their lead by four points—much more than the Eagles could afford to give up. At this point the final score ended up being 52-58 in a hard fought loss.
After the game, Burton commented on the team’s performance “We shot ourselves out of the game going 7-for-31 from three. We also need to play better defense. As we move forward, we need to develop better culture and character.”
With this tough loss, the Eagles now find themselves on a three-game losing streak, but they are heading into Christmas break with hopes of regrouping. The team is still focused on pushing toward a state championship, and their next challenge will be a matchup against Lutheran, a solid opponent, after the break. The Golden Eagles will be looking to bounce back strong and regain their momentum as they continue their journey toward a successful season.
