The Goshen Eagles defeated Houston Academy 49-34 on Friday to advance to play St. Luke’s in the Class 2A regional championship scheduled for Tuesday evening.

“It was different than the first time we played them,” said Eagles head coach Ethan Carroll. “Coach Watson does an excellent job them with them. We knew they weren’t going to make a ton of mistakes.”

The Eagles fell behind 10-0 in the opening quarter, unable to score in the first five minutes. The Eagles rebounded in the second quarter and took a 24-13 lead into the locker room at halftime.

The Eagles took their second quarter momentum into the third quarter and never slowed down.

“We were nervous,” Carroll said. “After we got a couple of steals and we applied enough pressure to get some easy baskets on the other end.”

Zach Alford led the way for the Eagles with 16 points while teammate Michael Hollis finished with 15.

The win sets up a matchup with St. Luke, who won the Area 1 championship and went on to defeat Elba and G.W. Long to be one of the tournaments final eight teams.

“They are very big and athletic,” Carroll said of St. Luke’s. “Coach Davis does a great job with them. They mix it up a lot defensively. They have some kids that can light it up. If we can’t box out and make our free throws, we don’t have a chance.”

Carroll wants the team to focus on the task at hand.

“That was tough in our last situation,” Carroll said. “Our goal all year was to get to Birmingham. We feel like we can get there if we peak at the right time. Our guys know their goals. They have grown up a ton and they have really matured. They know basketball and they know what it takes. They are just going to have to go out there and play.”

The Eagles go into the contest well aware of the challenges but if they play their game they have a shot at winning.

“We feel like we are going to be a little more athletic when it comes to our guard play,” Carroll said. “We are a little bit older in the guard position. I feel like if we can make some jumpers and push the floor off turnovers, then we are going to have a good shot.”

Scheduled tip off between Goshen and St. Luke’s is scheduled for 5:45 p.m. at the Dothan Civic Center.