Monday, January 28

Daley Scores 1000th Point as Eagles Win Fifth Straight

Eagles forward and co-captain Zack Daley became the newest member of the 1000-point club Monday night against the Alexander Galt Pipers. Daley came into the game needing only 9 points to reach the mark, and did so on a turnaround jumper from the baseline midway through the second quarter. The Eagles rallied around the historic event and picked up their fifth win in as many games, holding off a pesky Piper squad for a 68-55 win.

The Eagles came out of the gates hot. Daley quickly went to work, hitting a jumper from the top of the key to get the scoring started. The Eagles capitalized on their size advantage in the paint, as Jeremy Schichtle and Jake Smith controlled the offensive and defensive boards. The Pipers struggled with turnovers against the Canaan press, and found themselves on the wrong end of a 24-12 score after the first quarter.

The beginning of the second quarter took on a slower pace, as the anxiousness from the crowd and the Eagles was palpable. After scoring 6 points in the first quarter, Daley connected on a free throw early in the quarter, and finally hit the 1000-point shot shortly after. Play was stopped for a brief celebration with the Eagles holding a 28-18 lead. When play resumed, the Eagles appeared a bit deflated, allowing the Pipers to get back in the game. The outside shooting from the Pipers came to life, but they still trailed 38-28 at halftime.

The Pipers continued to chip away at the lead in the third quarter. The Eagles press showed signs of vulnerability, leading to several easy hoops for the Pipers. The Canaan lead would shrink to as little as four before the Daley cousins stepped up again. Zack converted two consecutive baskets to double the lead, and Connor came through with a big three-pointer to stretch the lead to double-digits.

The fourth quarter would go back and forth, but the Eagles never relinquished the lead. Connor Daley guided the Eagles through the Piper comeback with clutch outside shooting, hitting a pair of long-range shots at crucial junctures of the fourth quarter. The Eagles were able to hit their free-throws down the stretch to preserve the lead.

Connor led the Eagles with 25 points, while cousin Zack poured in 21. Zack became the fifth male member of the Canaan Memorial High School 1000-point club, and the first since Brian Lima in 2003.

The win lifts the Eagles record to 9-5 on the season.