Argyle Athletics Booster Club, Argyle H.S. TX

The Argyle Eagles and Coach John King took their  District 9-3A 2-0 record to Sanger on Friday night looking to extend the 13 game win streak. The Eagles (22-3), ranked #2 in the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches poll, would be seeking to avenge their previous meeting as it was Sanger that handed Argyle it's last loss.  The Eagles however, would not be denied, prevailing 69-51.

The Indians, after climbing into the TABC top 25, have fallen on hard times, dropping their last five contests including two district games. With a chance to be essentially eliminated from playoff contention in their first three games, the Indians had their backs against the wall.

"We were dealing with a team tonight that was really desperate for a district win" Eagles head coach John King said. "They had a few tough goes of it early  and it put them behind the 8-ball so to speak. We knew we'd get the best they had to offer, and we did for those first three quarters."

The game started out as somewhat of a slugfest, with each team playing tough defense and scores were at a premium. Multiple lead changes and foul trouble for both teams yielded a messy first quarter.

Patrick Resch was singled out for fouls early and the Eagles found themselves without their starting Post. Nothing to worry about, just insert the younger Resch, Patrick's brother Andrew, and he went to work netting eleven points.

Clearly, Coach John King's intent was to pound it down low and the Eagles did just that. Doug Fryer and Andrew Resch took it to the Indians early and often. The Eagles opted for a ball control offense, slowing it down and hammering the low post. This yielded another dividend, foul trouble for Sanger's Hayden Smith and John Johnson. Both Johnson and Smith are top offensive players for the Indians, eventually netting 27 points between them for the night. It was on the defensive end of the court where Sanger missed them most. Fryer went to work inside pounding the paint for 18 points to lead all scorers.

After an even first quarter ending 12-12. the Indians picked up the pace offensively and eventually led 28-21. The Eagles clawed right back in it and after a rally led at halftime 34-32, thanks to the absence of Smith and Johnson.

The third quarter was more of the same, the Eagles Fryer dominating the paint and Sanger slugging back. Then Clarke Overlander got hot.

The Eagles offense opened up with Overlander and Taylor Ishee hitting threes. Mason Mead propelled the third quarter rally with a hustle play that got the Eagles fan base, the vaunted "Red Army" on their feet and roaring with approval. Mead continued with the furious effort, scoring twice on layups after steals.

Despite the Eagles asserting themselves in the third quarter, the game was still in doubt.

"We played the way the Sanger Indians play basketball," Sanger head coach Robert Sikora said. "We got after it. We were scrapping, hustling, we got the buckets on offense - if we play like that for a whole game, we're going to beat most anyone in the state."

Then the big if happened - the fourth quarter.

In the fourth quarter, the Eagles demonstrated clearly the reason why they have been successful - a deep bench. Fryer and Resch continued to hurt the Indians inside and Overlander and Ishee outside. The Argyle depth was too much, King was using his entire team. The Eagles blasted the Indians 21-6 down the stretch.

"Part of it may have been that we were just a little tired," Sikora said. "That was the best defense we've faced this year in the fourth quarter, easily. We made a few mistakes and a few turnovers. If you're going to beat the No. 2 team in the state, you can't have turnovers like that."

Defensively, Wes King was matched up with Sanger's Collin Crutsinger, who had hurt the Eagles in the early season game. Crutsinger was held scoreless by King with his usual tenacious defense. Mead and Zach Dickerson turned in excellent defensive efforts, as well as Overlander who was matched up with the Indian's prolific scorer Johnson.

The win was even more gratifying for Coach John King than normal as it was his 300th win as a head coach. The milestone was celebrated afterwards and King was lauded by the fans and cheerleaders as he approached the bus to head home. The AHS cheerleaders unfurled a banner noting King's accomplishment.

Next up for the Eagles is a trip to Aubrey on Tuesday night.