Analysis: Varsity basketball takes loss against McKinney, remains 3rd in district

Emma Hutchinson, Chief Operating Officer|January 26, 2021

Click the photo above to start a slideshow with captions full of information about moments from the varsity boys basketball team’s district game against McKinney on Friday, Jan. 22. Here are few more details for the fans:

Who: Varsity boys basketball team – led by head coach Jonathan Ellis and assistant coaches Jon Lewis and Jake Garner

Score: 46-79

What: Loss against McKinney High School
When: Friday, January 22
Where: McKinney Arena

Next: Click here for the team’s schedule, or see below.

2020-2021 Boys Basketball

Date	Opponent	Result
Tue, Oct 13	Frisco Liberty	55-67	L
Wed, Nov 11	Sachse	47-37	W
Tue, Nov 17	Rockwall	74-62	W
Fri, Nov 20	Dallas Jesuit	57-48	W
Mon, Nov 23	Frisco Wakeland	54-80	L
Tue, Nov 24	Frisco Memorial	71-53	W
Tue, Dec 01	Richardson Berk	61-44	W
Fri, Dec 04	Plano Senior Hi	80-67	W
Fri, Dec 11	Arlington Bowie	65-64	W
Fri, Dec 18	Rockwall-Heath	67-49	W
Tue, Dec 22	McKinney High S	53-71	L
Wed, Dec 30	Lincoln Dallas	77-66	W
Sat, Jan 02	Hebron	41-46	L
Tue, Jan 05	Denton Braswell	53-59	L
Fri, Jan 08	Allen	79-66	W
Tue, Jan 12	McKinney Boyd	70-58	W
Fri, Jan 15	Little Elm	68-48	W
Tue, Jan 19	Denton Guyer	47-42	W
Fri, Jan 22	McKinney	46-79	L
Fri, Jan 29	Denton Braswell	44-59	L
Tue, Feb 02	Allen	46-68	L
Fri, Feb 05	McKinney Boyd	61-60	W
Tue, Feb 09	Little Elm	65-60	W
Fri, Feb 12	Denton Guyer	58-60	L

Analysis

After a four-game winning streak, the Eagles met their match on Friday, Jan. 22 when they went up against the fifth-ranked basketball team in the state: McKinney High School. Looking at the bigger picture, however, fans can see that this team has fought hard this season despite some of last year’s players graduating or now playing for Rock Hill High School.

Previously in district play, the Eagles conquered Allen in triple overtime, 79-66, with Allen being the 78th-ranked team in the state and Prosper sitting at 132nd. They also came in close against No. 73 in the state, Braswell, taking a loss 59-53. The boys proved that they have what it takes to dominate in district, and they look to make a comeback against Braswell on Friday, Jan. 29, at home in the arena.

Some players to watch for are senior captain Neal Utrup, senior Luke Chaney, sophomore Addison Harmon and freshman Jaxson Ford. Utrup and Chaney rack up the 3-pointers at every game, while Harmon and Ford consistently go in for the rebound and never leave a ball out of the basket. Each of these players has a unique skill set that makes them unstoppable on the court and keeps the crowd on their toes with every shot.

The Eagles’ next opponent is Braswell, who has a district standing of 6-1 and overall standing of 17-5. In their most recent game, they defeated Denton Guyer in a one-point difference, 57-56. Prosper also defeated Guyer in a previous district game with a score of 47-42, so this game should bring the heat. As district closes in, the team works to finish out their season strong and keep their team chemistry flowing.