Lady Eagles soar over Bedford 59-38 in season opener

The Lady Eagles started out slowly Saturday night in their season opener, but were still able to seal a comfortable win over the visiting Bedford Bisons 59-38.

Finishing the first quarter with the score 5-2, the girls shots weren’t falling like they’re used to.  Tyrone was especially cold from beyond the three point line.

Despite not shooting well, we played solid defense and found ways to score. How you play defense controls how you play offense

— Head Coach Luke Rhoades

“It’s very frustrating when you shoot one shot, miss. Shot two, miss. Shot three, miss, etc. But it was the first game of the season and our team is loaded with scorers; we just need to settle in,” senior said Finnley Christine.

Things began to heat up in the second quarter as Tyrone outscored the Bisons 25-6. The girls were able to hit a few outside shots and get themselves to the basket when things weren’t looking good behind the arc.

Despite the lack of scoring, Alexis Cannistraci was able to control the boards while the Eagle’s defense held the Bisons to just eight points going into halftime with the score 30-8.

The scoring began to explode in the third and the girls found themselves leading 42-24 going into the fourth quarter of play.

“Despite not shooting well, we played solid defense and found ways  to score. How you play defense controls how you play offense,” said coach Rhoades.

Junior Kasey Engle led all scorers, pouring in 27 points, Finnley Christine added 14, and  Cannistraci, Lehman, and Sprankle all combined for 12 points. Freshman Sydney Shaw chipped in 6 points with two impressive 3-point shots in her first varsity game.

I’m hopeful and confident that we can improve on something different each game

— Kasey Engle

“When you have a successful program, and have been successful, you have a target on your back. Everyone wants to beat you and you’re going to get every teams best effort, you have to be ready to play every single night,” said Tyrone head coach Luke Rhoades.

“I’m hopeful and confident that we can improve on something different each game,” said Engle.

Heading into their first week of the season, the girls know there are many league teams that would love to be “the” team to knock off Tyrone. But the girls are confident in how they can play and plan to turn up the scoring and come out the first week 4-0.

The Lady Eagles will be back in action on their court Tuesday night versus Phillipsburg at 7:00 pm.

Tyrone: (59) : Christine 1-4 14, Engle 5-5 27, Cannistraci 4-6 8, Sprankle 1-2 1, Shaw 0-0 6, Lehman 3-4 3.

Totals— 20 14-19 59.

Bedford: (38) : Thomas 0-2 4, Dawson 3-7 3, A. Shuke 1-4 5, Ooghe 0-0 3, Fuller 2-8 16, L. Shuke 2-2 7.

Totals— 14 8-23 38.