Challenger

Apollo High School was represented well in the district this year. Not many knew what to expect with new coaches, new players, and new attitudes of hope for the post season. The highlight of the district dance was the E-gals taking home the coveted district trophy.

Our Eagle boys team fizzled out in the first round of the District to cross-county rivals the Daviess County Panthers. The long fought battle ended with an 8 point difference and a score of 40 to 48 loss at the Sportscenter March 2nd. AHS juniors Doug Denton and Jake Wells were named to the 9th District Tournament team. This game marked the end of the road for seniors Reggie Wilson, Nathan McDivitt, and Todd Payne.

The E-gal team entered into the 9th District tournament ranked 9th in the state and number one in defense. The E-gals were 6-0 in the district and 14-0 in the region for the season. Collectively, the girls had 25 wins and 4 losses, a record for the program for least losses in a season.

The E-gals defeated the Owensboro Lady Devils March 3rd at the Sportscenter. This was their first district championship since 2002.

In the first round of the region, the girls were matched up against Hancock County. It was rumored that Hancock County had named Apollo “overrated”. AHS showed Hancock County just how overrated they were with a 71 to 33 stomping. This was their first win in the region in the past four years under the instruction of this year’s 3rd Region Coach of the Year Jason Powers.

The next team to beat for the girls was the Ohio County Lady Eagles in the semi-finals of the region tournament. Lead by power-house inside force, Julie Leach, the Lady Eagles forced our E-gals to fight through a tough game. Our girls came up just short in the final game for seniors Gabrielle Murphy, Natalie Hardesty, Kara Mantooth, and Katie Cecil. Not winning the region did not take away from the respect these girls are due for their determination.

Of Coach Powers’ first graduating class he said, “I can’t believe these four years have gone by so fast. These girls have a special place in my heart. They’ve rebuilt this program with not only talent but an excellent work ethic and effort. I will miss them for the players they were but also the good people they’ve become. Basketball is not just about learning how to break down a 2-3 zone These girls show that it’s more than that; it’s about life. I know they will do well and be successful in the future.”