Best season in Eagleville boys basketball history ends in Class A semifinals

The ultimate prize wasn't achieved for the Eagleville boys basketball team.

But the Eagles walked off the Murphy Center floor at MTSU Friday having completed the school's best basketball season.

The historic season came to an end with a 76-63 loss to Columbia Academy in the Class A state semifinals.

"We tried to make an impact and be the best team in (school) history," said Eagleville senior Mari Stoudemire, who finished with 21 points in Friday's loss (50 in two tournament games). "I felt we did. We could have (gone) farther but some things didn't go our way."

Columbia Academy went on a 10-0 run in the second quarter and never trailed again.

Eagleville (29-4) trailed by as much as 14 in the fourth quarter and never got closer than eight down the stretch.

It was the third time the two teams had played this season (splitting in the regular season).

"This was our first rodeo (at state)," said Eagleville first-year coach Davy McClaran. "We tip our hats to (Columbia Academy), but they've been here. They know what the agony of defeat felt like and running through the tunnel and prepping on no days rest. Hopefully we can build on that and continue this run."

A 29-4 record and fifth trip to state will be hard to improve, especially after graduating Stoudemire and four-year starter Ethan Cobb. But Eagleville will return three starters, including one of the state's leading scorers in junior Ryley McClaran, the coach's son.

"We all bought into what we started here," said McClaran, who scored 26 on Friday (52 in two tournament games). "We'll flow into that pretty good. In practice (the underclassmen) always competed against them (Cobb, Stoudemire), so that will help. We want to come back here and do it again."

Added Coach McClaran, "(Seniors) made their mark, no doubt. You saw the (large) crowd and the excitement. They probably ignited a new love for basketball in the school. You don't replace a (Cobb) or (Stoudemire). They don't just come around. I know the history of Eagleville pretty well, and they're in the top 10 I've ever known."

Columbia Academy (30-5) advanced to play Humboldt in Saturday's Class A final at 6 p.m.

The Bulldogs were led by Carson Cary's 24 points and seven rebounds. The Bulldogs were 7-of-17 from 3-point range.

Reach Cecil Joyce at cjoyce@dnj.com or 615-278-5168 and on Twitter @Cecil_Joyce.

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