A Thriller at The Brown Athletic Center

David FInney

Waleska, GA - As a basketball fan, this is one of those games that you say you're glad you were there to see it.  Coach Newton and his fast-paced, high-flying Eagles are a team that you do not want to miss.  Not only do they play a high-tempo-style offense, but they have incredible defensive intensity and you can tell they love doing it. This is one of those teams that you can tell is special and good things are going to happen as the season progresses.

The game started off with a quick 4-0 run with a layup and two free throws from Greg Hobbs, but Bryan would quickly answer to catch the Eagles and go up by one in the first three minutes. Bryan would extend the lead to eight after a few costly turnovers by the Eagles, however, they would catch back up on layups by Dereck Lampkin, Jalin Wimberly, and then a dunk by Nate Louis. The game was living up to the hype and what people have come to expect from the Eagles.

Midway through the first half, the Eagles got the early lead down to three when Tafari Thomas hit a long-range bomb behind the three-point line. Thomas is quickly becoming a highlight reel every time he touches the ball.  The game became tied at twenty-five when Josh Press hit an open jumper and Reinhardt finally regained the lead on two made free throws from team workhorse, Marcus Kirkland.  The final five minutes of the first half would see several lead changes and a final layup by Wimberly would give Reinhardt the one-point halftime lead, 36-35.

Everyone in attendance was in for a treat if the second half equaled what they saw in the first. Tafari Thomas would get things rolling in the second half on a made three-pointer and a rim-crushing dunk. Thomas and Jalin Wimberly would start to take over the game at this point with stifling defense, speed, and hustle. This helped Reinhardt jump to a ten-point lead in the first ten minutes of the second half. Wimberly's three-pointer around the eleven-minute mark would give the Eagles a commanding eleven-point lead, 60-49.

Despite being down by eleven, Bryan's was not giving up and would eventually work their way back into the game. The Eagles went on a scoring drought after reaching sixty, which allowed the Lions to catch Reinhardt and go up by one with seven minutes remaining. The game would remain tight until Kristian Collins nailed a three-pointer around the four-minute mark and this got the motor running again for the Eagles. From this point on, Reinhardt would hold the visiting Lions scoreless the rest of the game, and the "fun and gun" offensive show began.

Inside the two-minute mark, Wimberly would have a goal-rocking hammer dunk which brought the Eagles' fans to their feet. Moments later on a designed inbound play,  Tafari Thomas started at the top of the free-throw line - wrapped around the baseline to circle back to the rim where he went into flight. Greg Hobbs floated the ball into the rim area and Thomas did the rest.  With his head near the rim, Thomas caught the assist from Hobbs and threw it down with power.  This was the sign for Bryan that the game belong to Coach Newton and the Eagles. The game would end with Reinhardt taking the 81-67 victory!

It was a well-rounded game where the deep bench of the Eagles contributed, however, this day belonged to Jalin Wimberly and Tafari Thomas. Wimberly ended with the game hight 27 points and Thomas had 20. These two and the Eagles entertained all in attendance.

If you have not been out to see this group of young athletes, take the time and do so. The Eagles basketball staff have assembled a really special group of athletes that are making their mark on the AAC. This week, the Eagles have a home game on Wednesday evening and they will be on the road this Saturday versus Kentucky Christian.