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The #1 seeded Barnum Bombers (25-3) ended the Eagles season on Monday March 11, in Mora. The Bombers have a seasoned lineup and are consistently one of the top teams in Section 5A. Although the Eagles played hard and at times looked very much capable of pulling off the upset, turnovers leading to extended scoring droughts and the inability to get to the free throw line (less than 10 attempts) were the main factors in the loss.

Barnum jumped out to a quick 9-0 lead at the 14:38 mark before Coach Watkins called a timeout as the Eagles seemed a bit rattled to start the game. Over the next 7 minutes the Eagles went on a 13-8 run to close to within four at 17-13. After a Bomber timeout, they went on to close out the half scoring 13 more to the Eagles 7 as the half came to a close with the Eagles down 30-20.

After the intermission the Bombers quickly pushed the lead to 34-20 before the Eagles fought back again to close to within eight at 34-26 with less than 15:00 to go in the contest. As Barnum again called a timeout, fans from Onamia and Royalton, who played the other semi-final game, started to noticeably cheer for the Eagles. Regaining the momentum, the Bombers used 7-0 & 7-2 runs over the next eight minutes to push the lead out to twenty at 53-33 with just over 7 minutes left. With the game and season winding down, try as they may, the Eagles were never able to muster any comeback on this night. The final horn sounded with the Eagles on the short end of a 65-43 score, ending their season with an 11-14 record.

Scoring vs. Barnum; Smith-9, Kemper-9, G. Gross-15, Wicks-4 and Perkins-6.

Three Eagle Seniors had their Northland careers come to an end also. Patrick Kemper, Taylor Smith and Steven Grundmann may not have liked how they closed out their Senior season, but they should be proud of what they have accomplished for Eagle Basketball. With four different head coaches in 4 seasons, as sophomores struggling through a 6-20 season before last years 3-20 campaign, the boys still continued to show joy for the game and commitment to the team.

Even with the loss of three players, the Eagles return a number of underclassmen and should be contenders again next season as they look to improve on this season's successes - Juniors; Jordan Perkins, Braden Motz, Austin Likens, Zak Nornberg and Easton Wake. Sophomores; Jarod Stefan, Marcus Woods, Justin Wicks and Gary Gross. Freshman; Logan Gross, Jeremy Johnson, Benji Swankier, Dustin Sepin, Austin Cash and Michael Johnson.

Thanks go out to Coaches Joe Watkins and Tim Hasse. Managers Kaitlin Jorgenson and Nacosja Hare for their hard work put in this season. Special Thanks to the "Peppers", THE BEST PEP BAND around, parents, and fans for the support of Eagle Basketball, both boys & girls.

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