Junior Caleb Grill said that identifying their opponent’s strengths and stopping them from succeeding through them was a major factor in the team’s victories last weekend.

The Eagles defeated Salina Central 52-29 and Southeast 82-73.

Friday’s game against Salina Central was held at home. Grill started off the game with a dunk shot immediately after tip off. At halftime, the Eagles led Salina Central 29-7. By the end of the third quarter, Maize still held Salina Central 50-19, and persisted until the end of the game with a 52-29 victory.

C. Grill 14, D. Koehn 13, L. Schultz 7, J. Johnson 6, B. Studevan 6, A. Espinoza 2, C. McGaugh 2, T. Ohnmeis 2

The boys traveled to Charles Koch Arena, home of the Wichita State Shockers, to compete in the AVCTL-GWAL Challenge on Saturday. In this annual challenge, City League teams are matched up to compete with Ark Valley-Chisholm Trail teams.

After the first quarter of the game, the boys lead Southeast 19-14. Maize trailed 37-36 at the half.  By the end of the third quarter, the Eagles were trailing again 59-58. Maize came back in the fourth quarter, with a 9-point victory over Salina Central.

“Our mindset was to go out and stop what both teams were good at,” Grill said.

Grill also said that defense was important in the first game against Salina Central, and offense against Southeast in the second.

The boys will be back in action this week in the Tournament of Champions at Dodge City United Wireless Arena.