HEARNE – The Thrall Tigers entered Tuesday’s matchup against the Hearne Eagles desperately needing a statement win and end a twogame skid in district play. That is exactly what they got as they rolled to a 55-38 win over the Eagles in arguably their best game of the season.
“The guys played a great team game, we had 7 scorers and 4 in double figures while playing consistent smart basketball,” said Thrall Coach Charles Tindol. “Also, our defense is getting better and better and the energy level is where it needs to be.”
Thrall started strong, building a 12-4 advantage on the strength of shooting by Brady Burlison and Breken Proctor. Hearne was able to rally however, and closed out the first quarter with a 6-0 run over the final 1:10 of the period to cut the lead to 14-13 entering the fourth.
Cason Sledge kept the momentum on Thrall’s end of the court early in the second period, hitting a three from the top of the arch to push the Tigers’ advantage to 17-13. Again the Eagles rallied and knotted the game at 19 late as the teams traded baskets down the stretch. It was Ethan Dahl’s jumper that put Thrall ahead 23-21 and, after the Eagles tied the game once again, Steven Walker pulled up and hit a jumper just inside the lane that gave the Tigers the lead for good.
The Tigers continued to pull away in the third as the defense all but stymied the Eagles shooting. Hearne managed a single three-point jumper in the third quarter while the Tiger got four points each from Walker and Burlison to extend their lead to 40-28 entering the fourth quarter.
Thrall kept up the pressure in the fourth and Hearne couldn’t respond. Ethan Dahl scored seven of his team-high 13 points in the fourth, while Dawson Meiske and Proctor each added four. The Tigers outscored Hearne 15-10 in the period to seal the win.
Dahl’s 13 points led the Tigers, but Burlison and Proctor each scored 12 and Walker added 10 in the win. Jeremiah Gurode led all scorers with 15 points for the Eagles and Dereion Mitchell chipped in 12.
“I’m really proud of our players, right now we feel like we can play with and beat who we need to beat,” Tindol said.
Thrall was on the road again on Friday, traveling to Milano to face the defending district champion Eagles.
