Eagles edge past Odessa

by Brandon Swanson<br>Herald Staff Writer
| January 12, 2005 8:00 PM

Soap Lake's late charge enough in defensive duel

SOAP LAKE - In a game that heard more whistles than boot camp, Soap Lake made a late run to top Odessa Tuesday night.

The Eagles overcame a double dribble, a traveling call, a loose-ball foul and an offensive foul call in the final 1:31 from whistle-happy referees for the 42-36 win in B non-league play.

Soap Lake's ability to handle the full court press carried them through. Tied at 36, the Eagles eluded an Odessa trap and passed ahead to sophomore Derek Dailey waiting under the basket. Dailey made the bucket and was fouled. His free throw gave Soap Lake all the points they would need. The Eagles tacked on a few more, and kept the Tigers at bay.

"(Odessa's) defense was very tenacious tonight," said Soap Lake head coach Erik Nielsen. He said that "At times, when we didn't go silly, we handled it pretty well."

Soap Lake looked sloppy from the start, falling behind 6-1 in the first three minutes of the game. Strong drives by sophomores Micah LaPlante and Brad Hitzroth rallied the Eagles to within two heading into the second quarter.

Soap Lake played catch-up all game, until a three-pointer by Adrian Guzman gave them the 30-28 lead with 4:19 left in the third quarter.

The Eagles did not score over the next six minutes, but Odessa was never able to get its offense moving either. The two teams traded baskets until the Eagles pulled away in the closing minutes.

"There were a lot of points where we could have folded up shop," Nielsen said. "They stuck together and never got down. That's what pulled us through."

LaPlante led with 12 points. Hitzroth added 10, and Guzman eight. The win gives Soap Lake a four-game winning streak, and a 6-4 record overall. Nielsen said he likes his young team's chances down the stretch.

"I think we've got a pretty good shot at first or second in our side," he said. "Realistically, we have to play pretty good to beat (first-place) Moses Lake Christian, but I think these guys are capable."

The Eagles' next game is Thursday at Columbia.