HRV boys smothered by Scots

Friday, Feb. 1

HOOD RIVER — Spirits on the HRV boys basketball team the past two weeks have been anything but cheery.

Riding a six-game losing streak, what the Eagles needed more than anything Friday was a win. A convincing win.

Although the “convincing” part didn’t come until the fourth quarter, the guys picked themselves up at just the right time to beat Parkrose 65-49.

“It’s good to finally get a win,” guard Andy Holmson said. “Especially at home. The crowd got us hyped up, and we also played a lot more together tonight.”

After battling the Broncos blow for blow most of the first three quarters, HRV scored the final five points of the third and went on a 12-3 run to start the fourth to build a 62-44 cushion with two minutes remaining.

The Eagles (4-7, 7-12) clamped down on defense in the final stanza to limit Parkrose to only eight points down the stretch. HRV was able to neutralize the Broncos wide-open, isolation-style offense with a tight 2-3 zone, quick rotation and anticipation of passes.

Holmson led the defensive charge, recording four steals on the night — the last one, a full-court breakaway which proved to be the capper.

“The difference tonight was that we were a lot more vocal,” he said. “Our defense was really tight and we were able to get out and run the floor, which is our game.”

Holmson also led the Eagles in scoring with 16 points — 14 in the first half — and assists with seven, and finished second on the team in rebounding with six.

Leading the team on the glass with seven boards was Eric Nelson, who was a force in the paint all night. He added 13 points and kept the ball alive for a number of second chances on offense (four offensive rebounds). And, along with Brendon Charles, Nelson helped manage the lane effectively on defense.

Charles equaled Nelson in the scoring column with 13, and despite recording four fouls, was still able to show his intensity on both ends with three blocks, two steals and five rebounds.

“Our focus for the final five games has to be to get the ball to Brendon,” Holmson said. “He’s the focal point of our offense and when he’s got it going, we’re tough to stop.”

Another player who has been difficult to slow down this season has been Nate Armerding, who scored 14 Friday to give the Eagles four players in double figures.

Armerding hit two three-pointers, but was off his mark for most of the game, going just 5-16 from the field. He did play solid defense, however, and helped keep the speedy Bronco backcourt in check.

Rounding out the scoring for HRV Friday were Ryan Goe with four, Todd Shyppertt with three and Mitchell Bohn with two. Jarrod Fogle and Heath Goin played but did not score.

HRV will try to continue its winning ways Friday at Gresham — a team the Eagles will no doubt be fired up to play. It was the Gophers who came into Hood River Jan. 18 and stole the game on a last-second shot.

“In these last few games, we need to control the tempo,” Holmson said. “When we play slow, half-court teams like David Douglas, we have to force them to get out and run with us.”

“We’re not done yet. We want a winning season because no other team here has ever had that,” he said.