The Eastside Eagles varsity basketball team captured its ninth consecutive victory Friday night on the road, demolishing Chestatee 55-38 in Region 8-AAAA action.

The defensive effort was the third time this season that the Eagles have held an oponnent to fewer than 40 points.

During its nine-game win streak, Eastside has allowed an average of 43 points a game, while outscoring opponents by an average of 21 points a contest.

Eastside jumped out to a 15-8 advantage over the War Eagles. Guards Anthony Henderson and Treyvon Francis accounted for all 15 of the Eagles' points in the quarter, with Francis scoring eight in the period and Henderson finishing with seven.

Larry Saxton drained a 3-pointer in the second quarter, pushing Eastside's lead to 13, and the Eagles carried a 31-18 lead into halftime on the road.

"Our defense has just been stellar all year," Eastside coach Gregory Freeman said. "This team is really focused and plays with grit and determination."

Justin Adams paced the Eagles with seven points in the third quarter, but Chestatee outscored Eastside 14-13 in the period, trimming the Eagles' lead to 12.

Eastside responded in the fourth with five points from Francis. He helped the Eagles to an 11-6 advantage in the period, as the Eagles held on for the 17-point final for their third region win of the season.

Henderson finished with a game-high 15 points in the win.

Lady Eagles fall
The Eastside girls varsity basketball team wasn't as fortunate on the road against Chestatee, dropping a 50-39 decision to the Lady War Eagles.

Chestatee forced 28 turnovers, while sinking 12 shots at the free-throw line in the fourth quarter for e its fourth region win of the season.

Zaria Barton and Jymara Smith combined to hit eight 3-pointers in the loss, but the duo's offensive output wasn't enough to combat the Lady War Eagles' stingy defense, Chestatee used a 10-0 run to start the game to take a double-digit lead over the Lady Eagles, but Eastside rallied back behind the hot shooting of Barton and Smith, cutting Chestatee's lead to 15-10 after the first period of play.

The Lady War Eagles outscored Eastside 11-8 in the second quarter, taking an 8-point lead into halftime.

Barton and Smith drained four 3-pointers in the final quarter of play, but Chestatee went 12-of-14 from the line to close out the region win.

Eastside returns to action Friday when it hosts Johnson at 7 p.m.