Diamond Cottrell jumped high for a rebound and put up a layup as time expired to score the winning basket in the Goshen Lady Eagles’ 40-38 victory over area rival Reeltown Friday night.

“Diamond was just at the right place at the right time and she boxed out beautifully every time tonight,” GHS head coach Lindsey Hornbuckle said. “She was the MVP of that game tonight. Diamond just showed up and without her we wouldn’t have won.”

Cottrell scored nine of her team-high 15 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Lady Eagles (2-2, 1-0 AHSAA Class 2A, Area 5) to the win. She added 13 rebounds to complete the double-double.

Hornbuckle was pleased with how her team played together on the floor Friday night.

“Overall this was not an individual game by any means,” she said. “Everybody did what they were supposed to do. I am elated to have won that game. And (Reeltown) was a good team. They traveled two hours to come here and get beat by two, so I know it is going to be another battle when we go up there.”

The Lady Eagles had Lady Luck on their side in the final minute as well. With the game tied at 36-36 Reeltown took a three-pointer and the ball did everything but fall in, as it rolled from one end all the way around and out before the Lady Eagles kicked it out for a fast break.

Cottrell put her team up 38-36, but Reeltown clawed back to tie it at 38-38 with seconds to go. The Lady Eagles killed the final 20 seconds of the clock took a shot, it rimmed out, Cottrell picked it up and put it back in for the winning basket.

But it was not all nip and tuck in the early goings for Goshen. Reeltown jumped out to a 15-7 before the close of the first quarter, but the Lady Eagles started their comeback effort in the second quarter, cutting that lead to 19-17 by halftime. The score after three quarters was 24-22 Goshen.

Nyokia Slater scored nine points and had five rebounds. Ivia Pollard had five points and eight rebounds, two assists and two steals. Jasmine Jones contributed six points and nine rebounds. DeAnna McLeod had three points and six rebounds.

The boys’ team suffered a 79-63 loss at the hands of the Rebels Friday night. Reeltown jumped out to a 23-10 first quarter lead and never looked back.

The Eagles cut into that lead and trailed 28-27 with 2:58 to go in the first half, but Reeltown scored nine points in the final minute to push the lead to 37-27 at the break.

The Rebels hit 10 three-pointers on the evening.

Goshen again made it close in the third quarter and trailed 53-46 at the end of the quarter, but the Rebels poured it on in the fourth for the win.

Antwon Boswell led the Eagles with 23 points. Justin Senn added 15 points, including four three-pointers. Tyreese Wingard added 12 points and Kawon Prichett had nine points.

Up next for Goshen is the Dothan Hoops Classic Dec. 26-31.