The 2009 Far East Basketball Girls Class A Tournament came to a close here in a tough battle where Osan American High School of Osan Air Base, South Korea, beat Robert D. Edgren High School of Misawa, Japan, 41-37 at IronWorks Gym here Feb. 20.
The tournament was a double-elimination playoff that kicked off Feb. 18 and concluded Feb. 20 with the Osan Cougars taking first place over the Edgren Eagles in an aggressive championship basketball game.
Jasmine Pressley and the Cougars edged Ashley Hawkins and the Eagles after four periods of well-played basketball.
“The competition was very competitive. It took a lot to win,” said Celine Baldevia, Osan Cougars team captain.
The Cougars took the lead early in the first period, ending with a 10-7 lead.
During the second period, the Cougars extended their lead to 18-9 and held it throughout the entire game.
During the third period, the Eagles managed to come within four points of the lead 22-18, but ended the period down 24-18.
The Eagles did very well, without a doubt they did an excellent job, said Sarah Richardson, Edgren Eagles coach.
The Eagles played without Imani Wimbush a key player in their starting line up. Wimbush was injured in the first period of Thursday’s game against Daegu American High School, of South Korea in which the Eagles rallied together with out her to win 52-40.
It was a tough game from beginning to end with the Eagles on the Cougars’ heels each step of the way, but in the end, the Eagles fell five points short of the win.
“I am really proud of our team even though we lost,” said Hawkins, Eagles point guard.
Although the Eagles lost, they held their heads high in a respectable fashion, going home with second place and the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, Ashley Hawkins.