ARVADA — It wasn’t exactly December basketball at its finest, but Eaton girls coach Todd Hernandez will take it.
“It was probably the ugliest offensive game you will ever see,” he said. “I would like to think both teams’ defense had something to do with that.”
Defense, poor shooting and early-season jitters all factored in Eaton’s 36-29 Class 3A nonleague victory over Faith Christian on Saturday.
“We’re still working out the kinks, but it was still pretty ugly,” said Hernandez, whose No. 9-ranked Reds improved to 2-0 after a week of play.
Eaton started out hot from the floor, jumped to an 8-1 lead in the first quarter and never relinquished the lead. Beth Cheney, sister of former Platte Valley Ms. 3A Basketball Alison Cheney, hit all three of her shots, including two 3-pointers.
On the other end, the reigning runners-up at Faith, who started the season at No. 3 in The Denver Post poll, had trouble getting anything to drop. The Eagles connected on just 1-of-10 shots in the first eight minutes and were 2-for-19 in the first half.
Faith’s starting point guard, freshman Abby Chapman, came out firing but never found a rhythm and finished 0-for-12 from the field. Bre McBeth, who finished with a game-high 16 points, was just 1-for-7 in the first half.
“The fact that a freshman has the confidence to come out and start shooting the ball like that says a lot,” said Faith Christian coach Debbie Candelaria of Chapman. “When she’s on, she’ll be able to hit those shots.”
Despite the shooting woes that continued into the second half — Faith shot just 7-for-41 (17 percent) — the Eagles were still just a possession away from the lead in the fourth quarter.
Chelsea Cowan and Lauren Woods made sure the lead never changed hands. Cowan sparked the Reds with eight points off the bench, including two putbacks down the stretch, and Woods was 4-for-4 from the free-throw line in the final minutes. Woods and Cheney each scored 11 points for Eaton.
“This team has bonded together with seven seniors,” Cowan said. “This is a big win. It gives us the confidence to know we can step up and win the big game.”
Eaton 12 6 4 14 — 36
Faith Christian 6 6 8 9 — 29
Eaton — Jelden 0 0-2 0, Korell 0 0-0 0, Laramore 0 0-0 0, Cheney 4 1-4 11, Woods 3 4-5 11, Mackey 1 4-7 6, Cowan 3 2-5 8, Needens 0 0-0 0, McNear 0 0-0 0. Totals 11 11-23 36.
Faith Christian — Barth 2 2-2 8, Moore 0 3-4 3, Chapman 0 0-0 0, McBeth 4 6-10 16, Bartusek 0 0-2 0, Blum 1 0-0 2, Johnson 0 0-0 0. Totals 7 11-18 29.
3-point goals — Cheney 2, Woods; Barth 2, McBeth 2. Total fouls — Eaton 18; Faith Christian 24. Fouled out — Barth, McBeth. Technicals — None.
Jon E. Yunt: 303-954-1354 or jyunt@denverpost.com
