RUTLEDGE-Faced with a 15-point deficit with 5:40 remaining in the season opener against Grainger High School, the Cosby Eagles mounted a furious rally.

However, the hole was much too deep for the Eagles to rebound from. Despite the Eagles outscoring the Grizzlies 21-11 over the remainder of the fourth period, Cosby eventually fell by a 68-63 score.
Second-year Eagles' coach John Marsh applauded his team's effort for their play down the stretch, but said it must be present for 32 minutes.

"We talk about going for 32 minutes and not quitting," Marsh said following the loss. "We talked at the end of the game if we had played that hard the entire game, it might have been a different outcome - especially when it comes to rebounding."

Cosby was out rebounded 40-36 in the game, but gave up 15 on the offensive glass to the Grizzlies which resulted in 17 second-chance points.

"Point blank we didn't rebound the ball and that's why we lost," Marsh said. "I emphasized to our guys that we had to win the rebounding war because of their size.

"If you can win the rebounding war, your chances - like winning the lottery - go up exponentially (to win the game) because of the more chances you get at the basket," Marsh said.

For the full story, see the November 15 edition of the Plain Talk.