Eagles Hit Turbulence against Southwind

By Wes Talley

Each team’s heavy lifter got things started for their club, as it was a battle of the number twos. Number two for Indy, senior and Belmont commit, Grayson Murphy and Southwind’s number two Carlos Marshall. Grayson Murphy was making all the hustle plays for his squad, not just scoring, but setting his teammates up for easy shots. Marshall, on the other hand was getting it done by himself on offense, accounting for 12 of Southwind’s 21 first quarter points.

After a fast-paced first quarter, Indy found itself trailing 21-16. Enter 6’7″ senior, Corbin Daugherty off the bench to start the 2nd. He was a shot in the arm for Indy on the boards and in the paint, an area IHS struggled in in the first. Corbin’s presence was felt the most on the offensive glass with six boards. Indy would keep within striking distance of Southwind with a 36-41 halftime deficit.

Independence faithful, who packed out the Murphy Center, anticipated a comeback in the second half. The first few minutes of the third, those hopes might have diminished as Indy would clumsily turn the ball over on three of its first four offensive possessions. Those Eagle turnovers would translate into rim-rocking Jaguar alley-oops while also extending their lead. In contrast to the first half, both teams would eventually settle in on defense, combining for a mere 20 points in the quarter. Southwind had been averaging 20 points in a quarter alone up to that point.

The Eagles found themselves in familiar territory at the start of the fourth, looking up at the Jags on the scoreboard. Southwind, who had controlled tempo for majority of the game switched up their pace, holding the ball and bleeding the clock in an attempt to ice the game. However, the Eagles would not go away. Forcing the issue, Grayson Murphy once again stepped up. Coming off screens, hitting fade away three’s, driving to the rim, dunking put backs missed by his teammates. The Eagles didn’t lose this game for lack of trying on Murphy’s part. Despite their attempts, the Jags kept a lid on the Eagles and would go on to punch their ticket to the finals. With under a minute to play, head coach, Greg Glass would sub out his starters, letting the audience shower them with applause one last time for the season.
The Jags would take victory to the tune of 83-71 over the Eagles. Southwind’s victory sets up an all Memphis state championship when they take on the defending champs, East Mustangs Saturday.

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