The Eaton Rapids 9th grade boys basketball team recently won their second consecutive, and third overall, AYBT State Championship by coming out on top in the AYBT May Madness State tournament held at Morey Courts in Mt. Pleasant over Memorial Day weekend. The team of ERHS ninth graders were the only school-based team in the tournament and defeated several AAU/Travel teams in route to a weekend record of 5-1.

The Greyhounds began pool play on Saturday, May 25 by defeating the Jackson Jets 40-33. Game two later that day was a 46-24 win over the host Championship Sports/Morey Court team. Pool play continued on Sunday, May 26 as ER lost game one to the Indiana Legends 2021 team by the score of 41-33. The Greyhounds responded with a 48-46 win over the Champaign Heat by getting out to an early lead, give up said lead and then come from behind fashion.

Memorial Day was Championship Monday and the ER ‘Hounds team opened with a rematch against the Jackson Jets. It was a hard fought game throughout and the Greyhounds made just enough plays (and had a little luck) to pull out a 45-43 win in the semifinals. The Championship game also featured a rematch against the unbeaten and unchallenged Indiana Legends 2021 team. ER trailed 21-15 at half and started the second half slow, eventually being down 29-19. The Greyhounds continued to show their resiliency and toughness and outscored their opponents 18-3 over the last 10 minutes of the game to pull out the 37-32 victory.

The ER ‘Hounds 9th graders will be in action again as a team June 21 through 24 as they travel to Manhiem, Penn. for AYBT East Coast Nationals at Spooky Nook.

Article submitted by Jeff Dassance.