Eagles believe they can play role in league races

By: 
J. Patrick Eaken

Considering that two losses came to the state’s No. 4 ranked Division II team, Rossford, and two others to Division III regional qualifiers Archbold and Ottawa-Glandorf, Eastwood’s 15-9 boys basketball season last year looked impressive
“Some of our losses have been against quality opponents so hopefully those losses can benefit you,” Eastwood coach Todd Henline said. “By playing tough competition you learn some things.”
The Eagles finished second at 9-4 in the Northern Buckeye Conference last year but had losses to Elmwood and Otsego down the stretch. The Eagles qualified for the D-III district, where they fell to Cardinal Stritch, 75-65.
 "We ended up finishing second in the league and finishing second behind Rossford is no slouch,” Henline said. “To be honest, our league, from No. 2 to No. 8, on any given night you could get knocked off. Each team took turns knocking each other off.”
Henline, who believes Elmwood and Rossford will join Eastwood as be the top teams in the league, says the Eagles will continue to play Ottawa-Glandorf, Archbold, Port Clinton and Ottawa Hills in the non-league schedule.
Eastwood has dropped Sandusky and picked up Bellevue, but he likes what O-G, Archbold and the Green Bears provide.
“Ottawa Hills always gives you a pretty good look. That’s kind of why I have them on their schedule because you have to handle their slow pace and be able to take care of the basketball against them, which is a good look for us,” Henline said.
Eastwood was to open with Elmwood last week, but because of extended football playoffs at both schools, that game was rescheduled.
“To be honest, both of us should be pretty good,” Henlilne said. “We’re moving forward. We’ve got a lot of pieces this year. We just need to put them together, but I think we’re in for an enjoyable season.”
Although 6-foot-3 junior forward Jacob Meyer was in the gym early, Henline got most of his players at least a couple weeks late because of the football playoffs. However, Henline stresses that it was a good thing.
“It’s a good position to be in because we’re having great success and great experiences and it does carry over to basketball,” Henline said. “It just makes it a little challenging getting the late start and getting on the same page. It’s a good trade-off.”
 

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