Belpre moves on past Peebles in a physical thriller
By: Eva Greene
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BELPRE, Ohio (WOUB) – It’s officially playoff season as the Peebles Indians (6-15) head to take on the Belpre Golden Eagles (7-16) for the first round of playoffs. It was an amazing atmosphere with an intense game that saw Belpre came out on top in the fourth over Peebles, 53-52.
The first quarter was physical; Gracie Bills gets the scoring started with a tough and-one to set the tone for the rest of the game. Peebles would fight right back as they stay close to the Golden Eagles with Kendall Meyers. The score at the end of the first quarter, 12-12.
The second quarter saw Peebles’ Alyssa Smalley come in clutch as she made multiple tough shots to keep up the Indians’ momentum. However, Julia Way wouldn’t let the Golden Eagles go away as she would drive past defenders to keep it within three. At the end of the first half, 21-18, Peebles.
The dynamic duo of Smalley and Meyers allowed Peebles to push their lead to eight in the beginning of the third quarter. Both of them just kept getting past Golden Eagles’ defenders for the score. Although Belpre won’t go down without a fight, as Bills would officially hit a double-double with four minutes left. The score at the end of the third was 43-35, Peebles.
Along with Bills, Way and Chey Parsons were crucial to their comeback in the fourth. They made crucial layups and steals to give the Golden Eagles their first lead since the first quarter. As Belpre went up over Peebles, the crowd became crucial to the Golden Eagles as they pushed past the Indians, 53-52.
Bills was extremely important to Belpre as she finished the night with 24 points and 16 rebounds.
With the win, Belpre moves on to the next round in the playoffs as they will take on the number one seed, Lore City Buckeye Trail on Feb. 21.