By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
PREP BASKETBALL: Lady Eagles balanced attack leads to commanding win over Lady Seminoles
Eastaside bench
The Eastside Lady Eagles bench was all smiles and full of cheers as they dominated the Salem Lady Seminoles 64-23 in a much needed bounceback win. Photo by Michael Pope.

CONYERS, Ga. - The Eastside Lady Eagles (13-5, 7-4 region 4-AAAA) got back to their winning ways in a strong-balanced 65-23 road region victory over the Salem Lady Seminoles (2-18, 1-9 region 4-AAAA) on Saturday, Jan. 18.

The Lady Eagles were coming off a tough 63-40 loss on Friday night against North Clayton, where everything seemed to be off for their team, and frustration was at an all-time high.

However, the Lady Eagles controlled this game from the opening tip and had the game taken care of by halftime. The Lady Eagles were only leading by a score of 16-10 at the end of the first quarter but pulled away in the second quarter as they outscored the Lady Seminoles 20-2.

The Lady Eagles would only surrender 11 more points in the game and would clear their bench to get multiple players playing time in this lopsided victory. Lady Eagles head coach Gladys King was all smiles after her team's performance and was happy to see her team bounce back.

"I am happy, and I understand that you're going to lose, but if you're going to lose, compete. I didn't feel like we competed last night," said King.

"Today though we came in and played like world-beaters. We're getting on people, getting tied up with jump balls and going after it on the floor, so we have to do that night in and night out and not pick and choose what games you want to do that."

Hustle was something that King said frustrated her in her team's loss the night before, but she felt it was much better in her team's win against the Lady Seminoles. 

Despite the Lady Eagles' tough loss the night prior, Sydney Duren was a player that King appreciated her efforts and rewarded her with a start. Duren also broke through in the fourth quarter and got a basket, and King was just overall very appreciative of her dedication to the team and program. 

"I am very happy for her (Sydney Duren). She's a senior this year, and she has not gotten a whole lot of playing time, but she's stuck with the program, and that tells me a lot about her and her character and the type of person she is," said King. 

The Lady Eagles finished with four players in double digits with T'Niah Douglas leading the way with 14 points. She was followed closely by Alysee Dobbs, who finished with 13 points, Lizzie Teasley, who finished with 11 points, and Dasia Burgess, who finished with 10 points. 

King said she was happy to see her team spread the wealth and get a multitude of scorers involved in the game. 

"I'm very happy. I love to spread the wealth, that's what I like," said King.

Defensively, King said she wanted her girls to focus on the press in the early stages of the game, and it paid off as they finished with 16 steals as a team with Burgess and Teasley leading the way with four apiece.

This was an excellent bounceback win for the Lady Eagles in a pivotal region game. All region games are of the utmost importance, and the Lady Eagles will look to build a streak of region wins as they take on the Luella Lady Lions (16-5, 9-2 region 4-AAAA) on the road on Tuesday, Jan. 21.