After a year of countless hours of practice and preparation the Skyline Women’s basketball team is going to the State finals. The Eagles beat Timpview high school 52-45 in what was a close game down the stretch in which the Eagles trailed at half.
Skylines’ scoring was led by Hannah Andrel who dropped 14 points on a tough Timpview defense. Andrels impressive offensive performance was out done though by the defensive prowess of Cameron Mooney. Mooney put up 13 points on Timpview, but the difference she made was on the defensive end of the floor, collecting two blocks and one steal along with 7 rebounds. Mooney with tears in her eyes after the game saying “I’ve been here before and we screwed up. This time were not messing up this is our year.” Mooney, the emotional leader of this team, will have a lot to deal with in the Finals as Skyline will play the Judge Memorial Bulldogs. The Bulldogs are a more individual offense than the Eagles. There major strength is the post so Mooney will be the key tomorrow at 1 pm at Salt Lake Community College.
The clutch performance of the night though came off the bench, Kiana Eskelson put up only 5 points but to tie the game and give the Eagles a lead she hit ¾ free throws. Eskelson also had a great defensive night telling reporters after the game “It all comes down to team work and focus (on defense) in the end.”
The Eagles are on the precipice of greatness. They have one last test, it has been long and grueling but here it is they are at the mountaintop, now they must follow through and plant the Eagle flag. Everyone loves an underdog but maybe there’s something to seeing the great ones execute when all the pressure is on them. Sometimes you just have ‘to route for the closer and the Eagles are the closer of all closers.
