MIDDLETON, Idaho – The Eagle Mustangs (2-0) looked to add another win to their record Saturday night facing the 4A powerhouse and defending state champion Middleton Vikings (2-1). Eagle knew the task would be a tall one facing Vikings’ big men Sawyr Hansen (6’6″), Michael Day (6’10”) and senior Tyler Medaris (6’7″) .
Eagle struggled early to shoot the ball from outside so they turned to seniors Donovan Jones and Landon White to lead the inside scoring attack. Jones finished the night with 11 points and White led the Mustangs with 17 points. The Vikings led 16-13 at the end of the first quarter.
In the second quarter the Mustangs got down by as many as 9 points but the deficit didn’t last long as Eagle caught fire from outside. Sophomore guard Hudson Van Alfen (14 pts.) hit four 3-pointers and senior guard Gage Jones (11 pts.) added one of his own. Middleton tried to answer from deep with junior guard Talmage Stucki hitting three 3-pointers including one at the buzzer heading into halftime but it was the Mustangs with the 39-37 lead at intermission.
In the second half it was Eagle’s Landon White who picked up where Van Alfen left off by hitting two straight from beyond the arc. Sophomore guard Cole Pugh pitched in as well going 2-for-3 from downtown. White also gave the Mustangs a much-needed spark on defense coming up with 5 steals and grabbing a team-high 7 rebounds.
Middleton was led by Talmage Stucki with 17 points. Tyler Medaris finished with 10 points and Michael Day added 15 but the three had trouble converting at the free-throw line going for a combined 5-14.
Eagle’s next game is Thursday, December 9th at home against Timberline.