Their winning streak is up to 12 games, and the East Marion Eagles are getting a handle on their biggest issue.
Head coach Mandell Echols had said East Marion’s Sept. 24 match at Jeff Davis County was its worst of the year, but the Eagles (12-1, 10-1) rebounded with back-to-back convincing sweeps of Amite County (Sept. 26) and Hazlehurst (Tuesday).
“They came back and played well,” Echols said. “The last game or two they’ve acted like they’re going to play their game and not play down to the other team. The last game against Hazlehurst they took care of business, and I was proud of that.”
Echols added he believes the Eagles are finally starting to understand that they don’t need to play to win but just play their game and the wins will take of themselves.
“If you lose like that, you don’t have to have a letdown because you played to the best of your ability,” he said.
Destiny Brown, Kaitlyn Echols, Lia Smith and Azariyah Magee have all been playing well lately, according to Echols. He added Magee is the one constant he can always count on.
“For the last three years, she has been the little backbone that holds us together. No matter if we’re playing well or playing bad, she’s the same all the time,” he said.
The Eagles played host to South Pike Thursday, but results were unavailable at press time. They will play their final regular season match at South Pike next Thursday.
Echols said South Pike held its own against Salem earlier in the year and that he believes South Pike will give the Eagles enough of a challenge to where they will have to continue to play at a high level to win.
“I’m hoping that those last two games will help us focus and get ready for the playoffs.”
