Eureka Team Game Analysis

Improving Eureka team breaks rough patch with well executed fourth quarter

Eureka - Luke Orso dribbled the ball three times, spun it in his right hand, bent his knees, and with a flick of the wrist he sent the ball sailing from the free throw line through the air and towards the basket. As all eyes watched the shot fly, the ball made its descend through the basket with a snap of the net which sealed the game for the Eureka Wildcats Varsity Boys’ basketball team.

It was one of two free throws for Orso, Eureka’s second year, junior starting point guard. Was this the break through the Wildcats had been looking for? Or just a routine shot for a high school player to conclude the game?

“The team has begun to make better decisions,” Orso explained.

The Wildcats broke through a rough part of the schedule that resulted in losses in 6 of their last 7 games which included a loss to their bitter rival in the Suburban West conference, Lafayette by a score of 57-47 at Eureka on January 23, 2015 in a rematch of the District 3 semi-final game.

Oakville (7-9, 3-1) lost 2 key players from last years team from their District 1 championship game team. One player is currently playing Division 1 basketball (SLU) while another player went on to play Division 2 basketball (Missouri S&T) according to their coach.

Eureka coach, Austin Kirby was encouraged by the progression with how his team handled the odd conference game that started more than an hour and half late at Eureka on Tuesday. Looking for a spark, Kirby decided that it would best help his team to start junior center Sam Oligschlaeger over senior center Ben Ahlers.

It was obvious that this might be just what Eureka needed as they grabbed the lead with a Conner Walden 3 pointer with 5:48 left in the first quarter and possessed that lead until the final