Eagleville boys basketball lets big lead slip away in season-ending loss to Frank Hughes

EAGLEVILLE – With three sophomores and a junior in the starting lineup, the Eagleville boys basketball team was built for the future.

That was no consolation to the team's lone senior starter, guard C.J. Goers, when the team had its TSSAA state tournament hopes dashed Monday in a 65-59 overtime loss to visiting Frank Hughes in the Class 1A sectional.

"It's hard, man," said Goers, who did all he could for the Eagles, scoring a game-high 24 points including four 3-pointers. "I had three goals since I was a freshman, which was starting as a freshman, scoring 1,000 points and go to the Glass House (MTSU's Murphy Center, site of the state tournament). Being one game away definitely (stinks). But I'm proud of this team and everything we went through."

Eagleville (21-9) let a 14-point third quarter lead slip away. Frank Hughes (24-9) went on a 19-6 run and continued chipping away in the fourth quarter, forcing overtime. The Lions never trailed in the extra period.

Frank Hughes will play Jellico in the first round of the 1A state tourney at Murphy Center on March 13 at 8:45.

Eagleville boys basketball not using youth as an excuse

Youth could have been a factor in Eagleville's tough second half and overtime period.

But Coach Davy McClaran said it was simply basketball mistakes that the team uncharacteristically made after taking a 32-18 lead midway through the third period, one that was whittled down to 38-34 entering the fourth.

"We worked hard to get a lead in the first half...we played hard and played to win," McClaran said. "In the third quarter, up 14, we turned it over four or five times in a row and started playing not to lose.

"They haven't (been in that situation). It's just the basics of basketball...don't turn it over, find the right shots on the floor and don't play scared. The first half we were pushing the ball. In the second half we were walking it down. The moment was big. They'll only grow from it."

Goers, a four-year starter and career 1,000-point scorer, had a big second half of the season after struggling early and even losing a starting position at one point. He was responsible for getting the Eagles to the sectional, hitting a 3-pointer at the buzzer in the team's 51-48 win over Richland in the region semifinals.

"It was just little things (during Frank Hughes' comeback)," Goers said. "I feel like some people got in their head. But we're a family, and it's not just one person's fault. It's all of our mistakes, even mine.

"I know dang well they're going to be back."

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Sophomore Camden Cole scored 12 points for Eagleville while Gray Barker added 10

Aiden Dicus led the Lions with 24 points, including nine in overtime.