Farwell boys play well in home loss to Beaverton

By BEN MURPHY

Cleaver Sports Writer

It wasn’t a win, but the Farwell boys’ basketball team still feels pretty good about how they played against one of the best teams in the Jack Pine Conference on Friday. The Eagles were hosting Beaverton, when they suffered a 55-39 setback.

“I’m proud of the way we played tonight,” head coach Mike Rocha said. “Our defensive effort was there all four quarters. We started slow out of the gate offensively but got it going down the stretch. Aidyn Barkley was a spark for us tonight. Losing is never fun, but we showed what we’re capable of.”

The first quarter didn’t go well for Farwell, as they were held scoreless and they faced a 14-0 deficit after the first eight minutes of play. They picked things up in the second, as Barkley hit a pair of threes on his way to 10 points in the frame, and they were behind 26-10 at the break.

In the third, Blake Sholes hit a three as part of his five points in the quarter, Barkley added three more points and Tristan Szott knocked down a field goal as well, though the Eagles were facing a 40-22 gap entering the fourth.

Barkley finished the game with 15 points, Dylan Mitchell hit for all seven of his points in the fourth quarter, including one three, Sholes added five points, Szott was able to chip in with four points, Memphis Peever hit a three pointer in the third for his three points, Asher Yarhouse also had three points and adding two was Mason Esterline.

Farwell also came up short in a Jack Pine Conference game at Meridian on Wednesday, Jan. 7, on a score of 65-26.

On Tuesday, Jan. 6, Farwell returned to play after holiday break, hosting Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy. The Eagles lost a close one, 48-46 in overtime.

“We started off slow and played really poor defense in the first half,” Rocha said. “We made halftime adjustments and fought our way back in the second half.”

Farwell dug themselves in a 16-4 hole after the first quarter and they were behind 30-19 at the half.

The Eagles offense continued to struggle some in the third, but they were still in striking distance entering the fourth, trailing 36-25.

In the fourth, Sholes hit a key three pointer and Barkley was able to add four points. Then, with time winding down, Mithcell buried a three pointer, sending the game to overtime deadlocked at 43-apiece.

Farwell wasn’t able to find the offensive touch in the extra session however, as they could only get two free throws from Sholes and a free throw by Esterline.

“We had some unfortunate bounces and fouls in overtime that cost us,” Rocha said. “I’m disappointed in the loss but proud of the boys for finding a way to get back in the game.”

Nine different Eagles scored in the game, led by Barkley and Seth Burkhart with eight points apiece. Brayden Travis and Szott had six points apiece, Sholes and Mitchell netted five each, adding four was Walker Brown, Rylee Sprague finished with three and Esterline added one point.

Farwell (1-8 overall, 1-5 Jack Pine) was at home against Shepherd on Wednesday, they head to inner county rival Harrison on Friday and on Tuesday it will be a road game at Pinconning. On Thursday, Jan. 22 the Eagles will travel for a game at Standish-Sterling.