The Axtell Eagles picked up a sweep to open the 2024 part of their schedules. The girls team won 43-33, and the boys team won 66-32.

Shooting was a bit rusty for both teams in the first quarter with them getting adjusted to being back from break.

Kaylee Sandmann, however, would find her stroke late in the quarter knocking down a pair of three-pointers to give the Eagles a 10-6 lead. The Eagles scored the final eight points of the period.

In the second quarter, both defenses ramped it up as neither team scored in the first four minutes of the quarter. However, Axtell’s run would continue to grow to a 17-3 run since the mid-way point of the first quarter to give the Eagles a 19-9 lead at halftime.

The Eagles didn’t slow down out of the break as they scored the first ten points in the frame to go up 29-9. Bridget Campbell was able to get five quick points within the final minute of the quarter to make it 33-15 going into the fourth quarter.

In the final period, Onaga showed some fight and got back within eight, but it was too little too late. The Buffaloes scored 18 points in the fourth quarter after scoring just 15 points in the first three quarters. Jadyn Haskin knocked down a couple of threes to make things interesting. Brianan Bates also made a couple of two-point field goals in her season debut to keep Onaga’s hopes alive.

Haskin led all scorers with 14 points, getting nine in the fourth quarter. Natalie Strathman led Axtell in scoring with 13 points, making her the Player of the Game brought to you by Farmers State Bank. Sandmann added 12 points including shooting 4-for-5 from the free-throw line.

In the boys game, Onaga scored the first basket of the game, then Axtell went on an 11-0 run after forcing multiple turnovers in their press and converting them into easy baskets. They would lead 16-8 after the first quarter’s conclusion.

In the second quarter, Axtell’s defense proved even tougher, giving up just three points. Meanwhile, Brandon Schmelzle was on a tear in the first half scoring 12 points before the break. He helped the Eagles to get a 33-11 lead at halftime.

In the third quarter, Grant Buessing scored three quick layups to establish their dominance in the second half. Schmelzle would knock down another three to give them a 46-22 lead into the fourth quarter.

It was all about cleaning up in the final period, and Axtell did just that. Eli Broxterman scored seven fourth-quarter points and gave them a sizable win with a running clock.

Jackson Kolterman led Onaga in scoring with 13 points. Brandon Schmelzle led all scorers with 15 points and is your Farmers State Bank Player of the Game. He was the first of four Eagles in double digits with Grant Buessing scoring 14 points, Broxterman scoring 13 points and Colin Shaughnessy finishing with ten.