Varsity Basketball Goes 3-1 in Tournament Play, Finishes Season with 23-6 Record

SUFFIELD, Conn. – February 25-26, 2024 – On the final weekend before March break, Eaglebrook Varsity Basketball made the familiar drive down Route 91 to participate in the Boys Club of New York Rising Stars Tournament at Suffield Academy.

The Eagles’ first game of the tournament was against an opponent they had faced and defeated in December, the Rectory Tigers.

From the opening tip, Eaglebrook defended the length of the floor aggressively, which led to easy opportunities on the offensive end. Despite below-average shooting, the Eagles quickly secured an 8-point lead that expanded to 14 points before Rectory closed to 9 by halftime.

Varsity locked in defensively in the second half and heated up on the offensive end of the floor. Back-to-back to back three-pointers, sandwiched between fast-break layups pushed the lead to 20 points. The Eagles cruised the rest of the game but unfortunately lost a starter in the closing minutes.  

In another rematch from early in the season, Eaglebrook faced off against the Fessenden Bears. They were eager to ignore their early season loss to Fessenden and focus on the game in front of them.

The Eagles set the tone early on defense, challenging nearly every shot and battling hard on the boards. This gave them a big advantage in time of possession, and despite challenges at the free throw line and several missed layups, Eaglebrook led 14-8 at the half.

Defense was again the name of the game in the second half. Fessenden crawled back into contention and took a 2-point lead with just under seven minutes to play.

But the Eagles regrouped during a timeout and opened up a 4-point lead with just under two minutes left.  Missed free throws by the Bears, combined with tough defense and hard-nosed rebounding by the Eagles proved to be the difference. Varsity took the lead for good on a late three-pointer and converted one of two free throws to seal the game.

The Eagles took on the Brooklyn Kings in their semifinal matchup, continuing to play great defense and securing an early lead. Patience on offense end and timely shooting was the key to first-half success. While the kings kept things close, the Brookies led at the half 31-21.

During the second half, the Kings heated up from deep and managed to cut into Varsity’s lead, trimming the difference to four points with 6:45 to play. Eaglebrook countered by slowing the pace and working the ball patiently, eventually finding clear lanes to the basket for layups.  Stellar team defense in the end finished the Kings off, and the Eagles moved on to the championship game. 

Late Sunday afternoon the Eagles played their final game of the tournament, and season, against Fessenden.  

Having won an early game against the Bears 29-27, Eaglebrook knew it was going to be a tough final matchup. Both teams were patient on the offensive end of the court early, and neither team was able to open up more than a four-point lead. In the closing minutes of the half, Fessenden forced two turnovers, leading to fast-break buckets and giving them a 9-point cushion, 27-18, at the half.  

Unfortunately for the Eagles, tired legs and the loss of a key player early in the tournament finally caught up with them during the second half. Fessenden opened up a 20-point lead after four minutes of play. Eaglebrook made one final push, but their tanks were empty, and they fell to the Bears 53-32.

Overall it was a great season for the Eagles, who secured an impressive 23-6 record.  Each of the Sixth Formers who led and contributed to our successful season will be missed, but we look forward to seeing them all play at the secondary school level next year.