Eagles Clinch First Conference Title and 20-Win Season in Ten Years with Comeback Win Over Grant

The Eagles played their final regular season game Tuesday night against archrival Grant. In the first meeting, the Eagles beat the Bulldogs 57-52 in overtime.

This time around, the stakes were higher. The Eagles were trying to clinch their first conference title, and their first 20-win season in ten years.

The Eagles started cold as the young Bulldogs, led by junior Ayden Sheppard, led 19-10 after one quarter. Then junior James Kania led the Eagles to a second quarter surge, and the Eagles trailed by 4 at halftime.

Down 2 towards the end of the third quarter, Eagles senior guard Tyler Anderson drained a three to put the Eagles up just before the third quarter buzzer. He also added an insurance three, and 6-6 senior Brock Marino added a bucket within the first minute of the fourth quarter.

The Eagles would not trail again in the game.

With the Eagles up 2 in the final seconds, Bulldogs junior Pryde Mendoza (9 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists) had a chance to win it with a three, but missed.

With the win, the Eagles share the NLCC title with Grayslake Central, winning their first conference title, and clinch their 20-win season.

Tyler Anderson and James Kania led the way each scoring 13 points. Anderson was 3/5 from three, and had 3 rebounds and 2 blocks. Kania had 6 rebounds and 3 blocks. Brock Marino had 11 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 blocks. Ayden Sheppard led the Bulldogs with 17 points, including a hot first quarter in which he had 8.

The Eagles (20-7, 12-2 NLCC) play Vernon Hills in the Regional Semifinal at home Wednesday night at 7:30.