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Sports

Lady Eagles Upset Defending State Champions Joppatowne

In one of the most highly anticipated games of the year and perhaps the best game of the basketball season boys or girls the Lady Eagles beat the state champion Lady Mariners 65-59.

The Aberdeen Lady Eagles on Thursday handed the state champion Joppatowne Lady Mariners their first loss in more than a year.

The Aberdeen girls capitalized on careless mistakes and turnovers in the second half to beat the Lady Mariners 65-59. Last month, Joppatowne gave Aberdeen its first loss of the season on Aberdeen's home floor. In a packed gym in Joppatowne, the Lady Eagles returned the favor.

"The problem in the second half is that we lost our composure and were not able to find a vehicle that was successful," said Joppatowne Coach Michael Harris. "In the fourth, we pulled it together. But by the time we pulled it together it was too late."

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The Lady Eagles started the game with an early 7-2 lead. Joppatowne quickly answered and the teams traded baskets before ending the quarter Abedeen 23, Joppatowne 19.

Joppatowne took charge in the second quarter getting its offense going and forcing turnovers. But the team got into foul trouble.

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After trailing most of the second and third quarters Aberdeen put together a run to retake the lead mid-way through the third. But with two minutes left in the quarter Joppatowne tied the score at 43 all. The Lady Eagles put together a four to nothing run in the last two minutes to end the third quarter 47-43.

The Lady Eagles kept up their intensity in the fourth quarter. With one minute left in the game Aberdeen was up 63-55. Joppatowne closed the lead to 63-59, but the Lady Eagles never relented and won the game.

The leading scorer for Aberdeen was center Brianna Jones with 28 points. The leading scorer for Joppatowne was Shakara Head with 14 points.

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