Wimberly Leads Eagles to First Season Win

Waleska, GA - The Eagles have had a couple of slow start games in this young season which ended up having them chase to get back into the game. In Saturday's game versus AAC opponent Milligan University - the game started to have the same feel, however, the Eagles would not dig that same hole again.

The guard play from the Buffaloes were trying desperately to create a deficit for the Eagles to have to climb during the game, however, Antonio Spencer, Jalin Wimberly, and Tafari Thomas refused to let that happen. Thomas was a beast on the boards pulling down 16 rebounds in the game - 8 offensive and 8 defensives. He also had 9 points just shy of having a double-double in the game.  Spencer, who is a transfer player with experience, size, and skill, has been slowly gelling with the team and each game getting a little more comfortable in Coach Newton's offense. Look for him to keep building on his game this season and by the end, he will be a top name in the conference. Spencer had a double-double in the game scoring 15 points and pulling down 11 rebounds. He is a threat to throw one down at any point in the game.

Wimberly has proven himself to be the leader of this team so far this season being the top scorer in two of the three games and second-leading scorer in the other, however, his play is more than just scoring points.  He is one of the most versatile players in the conference and creates nightmares for the opposing coaches to defend against. He is able to take you outside where he can shoot a long three or he has the speed and quickness to blow right by you.  He also can go down inside to get physical with the big guys and rebound and score if that is what is needed. In Saturday's game, he was refusing to lose the first conference game.

After getting an early 8-2 lead in the first five minutes of the first half, the Eagles battled back to take the lead just under the fifteen-minute mark. Nate Louis nailed a three-pointer to give the Eagles their first lead at 14 to 13. Louis would end up with 10 points and 3 rebounds in the game and was a much-needed spark coming off the bench. No doubt, one of the best sixth-man in the conference if not the NAIA.

From the fifteen-minute mark in the game, the score would stay within 1 to 4 points the rest of the first half and the Eagles would enjoy a 34-33 at the halftime break.

The second half would see the action pick up some, but the teams would still stay narrowly close to each other. The Eagles would have the largest lead of the half on a three-pointer by Wimberly with just under two minutes left in the game. This is when Wimberly's leadership really stepped up and Eagles fans in attendance were cheering him on. One of the top highlights of the game came with just 5 seconds left in the game when Wimberly grabbed a defensive rebound on Milligan's end of the floor and he quickly rushed up the right side of the court. With the crowd on its feet and standing just a few feet from the sidelines, Wimberly takes the ball full court and throws down a slam to shut the door on the Buffaloes. The final would be 72-66 for the Eagles in their first win (of many) for the 2022-23 season and also an important conference victory!

The Eagles had four players in double figures for this game with Wimberly, Louis, Spencer, and Tyler Smith.

The Eagles will have a few days rest and then be back on the road Tuesday evening with a match-up with Bryan. Another chance for a conference win and a shot to get to .500 in the early season.