Ruskin Eagles Boys Basketball Team Snag Fourth Back-to-Back League Title
Congratulations are in order for the Ruskin High School Golden Eagles Boys Varsity Basketball team. They just won the Greater Kansas City Suburban Conference (Blue Division) Championship Title for the fourth year in a row. This year, the Eagles share that title with Grandview and Smithville.
The Eagles secured their “four-peat” conference title with a conference victory last week over Winnetonka on their senior night.
“This is a historic win for us,” said the Eagles Head Coach, Marcus Whitney, first-year head coach and Ruskin alumnus. “This group of players have a heart and the passion and they will stay committed to the game. They come to practice and they work out like they should. They come out with energy, effort and a strong determination to win.”
“Winning the Suburban Conference Championship for the 4th year in a row is a really big accomplishment, with only one returning starter from last season,” said Coach Deron Hill, also a Ruskin Alumnus. “At the beginning of the year, we knew it would be a great year. The guys bought into it and the Eagles’ coaching staff has been ‘on point’ selling them the idea of being conference champs again.”
George Pledger, a senior and the only returning player for the Eagle’s 3-peat championship team, played a big role in the Winnetonka game. He did a great job of rebounding.
Jaquan Smith played a vital role in the victory, even though he was injured in the fourth quarter. Pierre Smith and Devonte Watson were also on task with their huge performance on the boards. Smith had a big steal in the 4th quarter that sealed the game.
The Eagles are preparing for the District Championship where they’re seeded #3 and will face a tough Raytown South Cardinals team, the #6 seed in the Belton District.
The first District Playoff game will be held at Belton High School on March 1. If the team wins, they will take on the winner of the Hogan Prep and Grandview game on March 3. Next round play would be on March 6.