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Michael Mays knew that something special brewing watching his fairly young Ezell-Harding squad win 20 games last season.
What he could have never predicted was just how hot of a start this year’s group was going to get off to.
Beating CPA 59-53 in overtime to win the Edmonton State Bank Tournament at Liberty Creek, Ezell-Harding won its 15th straight game to open the season and head into 2025 at 15-0.
“I’m proud of the culture we have here,” Mays said. “We have really good players but the culture is what I’m the most proud of. They play for each other even when we’re not playing well.
….they’re unselfish, smart and a tough group. I think the culture here has changed and that’s what I’m most proud of.”
The best part for Mays is that he’s seen his team win in different ways.
Sure, a majority of their wins have come by double-digits. However, they’ve also proven how to win close games, which is something last year’s team had some trouble doing.
Of their 15 wins, four came by six points or less. Two of those games came over the last week as the Eagles escaped CPA in overtime but also held on to beat Hendersonville 34-33 to advance to their semifinal matchup against Liberty Creek.
“This tournament was great for us because we played what we’re going to see in our district which is tough, smart and well-coached teams,” Mays said. “We ended up winning and the ball bounced our way in a few of those games, but this prepares us for what we’ll see going forward. Every team in our district is well-coached just like the teams here.”
A game of runs to beat CPA
Everything Mays would have wanted to see out of his group entering district play was on full-display Monday night against CPA.
The Eagles led by four after the first quarter, but a 10-0 CPA run to start the second propelled the Lions to a 25-23 halftime lead.
Trading baskets to open the third, Ezell answered CPA’s run with a big run of its own. The Eagles closed out the quarter on a 15-2 run and led 42-34 entering the fourth. To the surprise of no one though, CPA made a run of its own in the fourth and the teams went into overtime tied at 48.
One last run by Ezell in overtime did the job. They outscored CPA 11-5 over the final four minutes to keep their unbeaten streak alive.
“I feel like the love this team has for each other is what’s keeping this streak going,” sophomore guard Noah Kaufmann said. “We go to work every day and the momentum we have right now, I feel like no one can mess with us. What we did over the last week will help us a lot going forward.
…every one of our district games will be tough and we got good games from each of the teams here. That’s massive going forward.”
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