SHORTHANDED EAGLES FALL TO SOUTH MIAMI, 65-48

Southwest, already missing Danny Portales to injury, lost another player before Friday night's road game at South Miami. Omar Morell showed up on crutches with a heel injury (he hopes to practice Monday) leaving the Eagles with just 8 players in uniform. Michael Juachon and Brian Stewart both picked up their third fouls midway through the second quarter and went to the bench. Both started the second half and picked up their fourth fouls in the first 33 seconds of the third quarter sending them back to the bench. Stewart fouled out with 6:40 left in the game and Ray Lleonart picked up his fifth foul with 1:10 left, leaving Southwest with just one sub available at the end. Despite all this, the Eagles were not intimidated by a much bigger Cobras team in a 65-48 loss. Lleonart played a tremendous game on both sides of the court, drawing enough fouls to go the line 11 times, threading several highlight reel-worthy passes, and misdirecting numerous South Miami passes with his defense. Gio Gonzalez led the Eagles (2-2) with 16 points. Juachon also played well but was limited in his time due to foul trouble. South Miami (2-0) led 20-13 after one quarter, 34-28 at the half, and 50-39 entering the final period. The game could have been much closer at the half but Southwest missed 6 consecutive open shots just before halftime. Referee Prince Burden, a teacher at Palm Springs Middle School (fortunately he teaches P.E., not reading), showed he has trouble comprehending the rule book. Burden is unaware that hanging on the rim and entering a game without being beckoned by an official are both technical fouls. The game was marred by the unruly behavior of a large group of South Miami students who chanted profanities in unison. Assistant principal Stephanie Tudor, the administrator in charge, said it is the principal's decision to allow that language in school. The scoring:
Gonzalez 16
Lleonart 10
Juachon 8
Rams 8
Godoy 2
Blanco 2
Morell 2