The Goshen Lady Eagles basketball team got their 2016 season off to a fast start on Thursday afternoon when they defeated the Highland Home Flying Squadron 55-20.

“They shared the ball and had great teamwork,” said Eagles head coach Fred Lowery. “Their communication was really good tonight. They talked and I really liked that.”

The Eagles (1-0) had two players in Bre and Shamiya Griffin scoring in double figures. Bre Griffin led the way with 25 points, six steals, seven assists and nine rebounds.

“Bre was just being Bre,” Lowery said. “That is what we expect out of her. I was pleased with her defensive effort and with the steals that she got. She is going to score points, but I was pleased with how she stepped up her defensive game.

Sister Shamiya Griffin contributed with 12 points and three rebounds. JaMecia Berry finished with seven rebounds, five points and one steal.

The Eagles got off to a roaring start, outscoring the Flying Squadron 17-6 in the opening quarter. The Squadron scored just 12 points in the first half and the Eagles carried a 30-12 lead into halftime.

“We looked extremely good,” Lowery said. “We boxed out tonight and we played pressure defense. We talked about limiting them to just one shot and get the ball down the court and we were able to do that.”

After taking a commanding lead into halftime, the Eagles tacked on 36 more points in the third quarter and steamrolled to the easy victory.

The Eagles look to begin the year 2-0 when they host Opp this evening at 5:30 in Goshen.