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By Niko Bulaon

Team communication was the key for the Harvest Eagles’ 40-21 win over the Andersen Dragons in a night of IIAAG middle school boys basketball.

Dragons Dreion Lewis drives the ball past three Harvest defenders in the first half. (photo by Jesse Castro)

The eager Eagles came into the second quarter with fire to keep the lead on their side. While the Dragons began to scramble for the ball, the Eagles took advantage, grabbing steals leading to easy fast breaks. Eagles guard Kobe Sotelo lit up the boards with eight of his points coming in the second, ending the quarter with an incredible circus shot over the Dragons defense. In the Dragons’ frustration, the Eagles took an easy 16-8 run to create a comfortable lead of 29-12 by halftime and never let the Dragons slip past them.

“Hard work,” is what Sotelo said about his explosive second quarter. “My team has to be with me; they work hard to help me every game.”

In the first quarter, the Eagles and Dragons fought for control, but it wasn’t long till the Eagles gained the upper hand with their fast-paced offense: perfect passes and on-point shooting. Finding no offensive rhythm, the Dragons were stopped short by Eagles big men Jian Dong Lin and Isaac Sim, grabbing six rebounds each by the first minutes of the game. With nothing but determination, the Eagles were always a step ahead of the Dragons to keep the pace going through the first half.

Eagles Chris Warg tries to get the ball over Dragons defender Nathan Roberts. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Slowing it down in the third and fourth quarter, the Dragons looked for a come back, crashing the boards and creating a tighter defense around the Eagles. From steals and rebounds, the Dragons tried to turn the favor on their side, keeping the struggling Eagles from scoring through most of the second half. But as the Dragons aggressiveness on offense grew, so did the Eagles defense, only allowing their opponents to score nine points by the last whistle.

Sotelo led all scorers with 16 points and six steals with the help of Sim with nine points and six rebounds, to grab the win. Dragons Dreion Lewis aided his team with eight points and four steals.

In the B game, the Eagles won 6-4 over the Dragons.

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