Area-foe Calhoun with win over Luverne

By KEVIN PEARCEY

Sports Writer

The Luverne Tigers came into the Goshen High School gymnasium Friday night and hung with the Eagles for three quarters before falling in the final period 74-50.

Goshen held just a 10 point lead over their Area rival as the final seconds of the third quarter ticked off, but the Eagles’ Kendaris Pelton sparked a 12-0 run in the fourth with a 2-point basket, followed by three straight 3-pointers from outside shooting ace Averick Rogers, and ending with Jeremy Berry going one of two from the free throw line. The Eagles out scored the Tigers 23-9 in the final period of play.

Rogers led Goshen with a season-high 23 points.

"Averick came in and stepped his game up tonight," Eagles head coach Major Lane said. "And we’ve been needing some punch like that. Hopefully, if he continues to improve, along with (Larry) Nichols and (Willie) Darby, I think we’ll be okay."

Friday night’s game was a far cry from Goshen and Luverne’s earlier meeting this season, almost two weeks ago. In that game the Eagles opened up a slim first quarter lead into three quarters of total domination in a 75-46 win. This time, though, the Tigers stayed around for most of the duration.

"They (Luverne) just played us tough," Lane said. "They were scrapping and getting after us. They didn’t just fold up. But that’s what we expect every time we come out to play."

The win sets up a showdown with area opponent Calhoun Tuesday night for a possible chance at the Area 4 championship. Goshen’s lone loss in area play this season came to CHS in Crenshaw County. Calhoun is undefeated in the area and a Goshen win at home Tuesday would make the two teams tied for the Area title at 3-1. From there the AHSAA rule book would be the determining factor in deciding which team was the area champ and would be hosting the area tournament.

While the Goshen boys’ were making it 2-0 over Tigers this season, the Lady Eagles were falling to 0-2 against the Luverne girls team.

April McDonald hit a short jumper to put Luverne on top 53-52 with under twenty seconds to go in the game. Kayla Ellis was fouled going to the basket on the Lady Eagles next trip down the floor, but couldn’t convert the front end of a one-and-one. Goshen’s LaKeshia Cope was there for the board and was fouled in the act of shooting, giving her two shots for a chance to tie or win the game. The first shot fell short and the second danced around the rim before rolling out into a Lady Tiger’s hands as time expired.

The Goshen girls’ dropped the earlier game to Luverne this season in similar heartbreaking fashion, losing by four points, 38-34.

In JV boys’ action earlier in the night, Goshen defeated the Luverne JV squad 34-30, avenging a Jan.9th loss to the Tigers.