Rivals fall short:

EJ boys team defeated in home opener

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The East Jefferson basketball team shook off the rust in their first game of the season on Monday, but it wasn’t quite enough to earn the victory. The Rivals fell short, losing 44-25 at home against Olympic High School.

The Rivals were off to a hot start after the opening tip-off, trading the lead back and forth throughout the first quarter.

At the end of the first, Olympic High edged the lead at 13-9.

The Trojans started to control the matchup in the second quarter. EJ turned the ball over multiple times and couldn’t find their shooting form to stay level with Olympic.

The Rivals were held to only two points in the second quarter, with the Trojans forged a 26-11 advantage.

The Rivals saw significant improvements in the second half. Point guard Lonnie Kenney dished the ball to junior Austen Hammer and sophomore Keidan Guzman to keep the score respectable.

EJ netted seven points in the third quarter to put the game at 35-18, still trailing Olympic.

By the fourth quarter, the game was at a point of no return for the Rivals. The starters sat out as Olympic High built on its comfortable lead over EJ.

Junior Austen Hammer and senior Lonnie Kenney led the Rivals’ score column with six points each, followed by sophomore Keidan Guzman with four points.

Although the home opener loss was frustrating for EJ, there was much praise with the team’s early lead and concentrated teamwork throughout the game.

The Rivals look to bounce back against Vashon Island High School Friday at EJ’s home court.

Rivals Basketball, East Jefferson