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

Emma Hutchinson, Chief Operating Officer|January 26, 2021

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Gallery • 10 Photos
Emma Hutchinson
As they practice shots during warm-up, seniors Neal Utrup and Jamari Abney joke around before the game. The Eagles took their first loss after a four-game winning streak against the McKinney Lions. The final score was 46-79.

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

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Dribbling down the court, junior Jordan Hall dodges his opponent. Hall put multiple points on the scoreboard for the Eagles and had many baskets throughout the game. This year is Hall’s first on the varsity team.
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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.