Eads Captures Third State Tournament Berth in 55-46 Win over Walsh
Will defend their state crown
March 12, 2004
It was a huge first quarter against Walsh that saved the Eagles from disaster on Friday night during Regional tournament action in La Junta.
Eads came out on fire scoring scorching the nets for 23 points behind two threes from Marcus Gilmore, a three by brother Steven, and a last second three by Dain Barnett. The 55-46 win earned the Eads Eagles their third straight appearance at the Big Show in Pueblo.
After the initial first quarter Eads rested a bit and Walsh continued to slowly come back in the ball game. They used the second and third quarters to let Eads they were not going down easily without a fight. The Walsh group would scatter five long balls among their players through the two quarters while Marcus Gilmore continued to produce on the Eagle side hitting for three more long balls of the five he hit on the night. By the end
of the third Walsh was knocking on the door, 44-39, and Eads still looked lethargic. It would be senior Levi Kraft that was once again the hero and savior for Eads as he hit a huge three pointer with just over a minute to go giving Eads a 52-46 lead. That would be all the good free throw shooters from Eads needed as Kraft hit two straight, Barnett hit another, and Steven Gilmore iced it with two more.
Eads now plays Otis in the final game on Thursday night in CSU-Pueblo's Massari Gymnasium. Eads is seeded fourth with a 16-7 record while Otis is seeded fifth with a 15-8 record. The winner will more than likely meet the undefeated group from Pawnee in the Semifinals on Friday.