The young Eagles play better basketball at home, compared to their struggles on the road.

The night of Thursday, Dec. 13, the Joseph Junior High School boys breezed past Wallowa Junior High School, 36-25, within the friendly confines of Sather Court. A month earlier, at Wallowa’s gym, the Eagles needed a late comeback in addition to point guard Riley Stein’s last second basket for a 27-26 victory.

“We just play better at home,” forward Trevor Lewis (11 points) said. “We lost at Elgin by one, but then beat them by 10 when we played here” Dec. 11.

The list goes on. The Eagles dominated Enterprise School, 37-18, at Sather Court Nov. 8. The Outlaws took the rematch, 41-40, at their own gym Dec. 6.

In the second of two games against Wallowa on Thursday, Lewis led his team in scoring. Dakoda Shadle and Stein both contributed seven points, Anthony Smallen had six, Lucas Staigle four and Trevor McWater made a foul shot.

The Eagles took over the game in the second quarter and remained in front the rest of the night.

Scoring for the Cougars, seventh-grader Wes Conrad had nine points against older boys, while Dusty McDaniel tallied eight. Justin Gladden chipped in six points, and Casey Marino had two.

The night started with seventh graders, and Wallowa took no prisoners in the lopsided decision, 37-7.

Trevor Schaeffer led all scorers with his 12 points, Pierce Millar ended up with eight points and Derek Shike had six. The young Cougars also used four points apiece from Conrad and Cody Swift, while Spencer Shelton made a free throw to finish with three points.

Meanwhile, Daniel Parker drained the game’s only three-pointer. Joseph teammates Austin Wells and Max Greenway both scored two points.

Contact reporter Hector del Castillo at 426-4567, or e-mail at hdelcastillo@wallowa.com.