Eden Bulldogs Shoot Lights Out Against District Leader Menard

EDEN, TX — After their first game went to overtime, it seemed like another close game was in store between longtime rivals Eden and Menard on Tuesday.

But Eden just couldn’t stop knocking down shots.

The Bulldogs had one of their best shooting nights of the season — which included eight 3-pointers — to run away with a 50-24 win that handed Menard its first district loss in a surprising blowout.

The win avenged a 43-41 overtime loss to Menard earlier this season, and the Bulldogs are now in position to earn a share of the District 12-1A title with four games left in the regular season.

Eden improved to 15-13 overall and 7-1 in district, while Menard fell to 12-5, 8-1.

“I think we played to our potential,” Eden head coach Jeff Shelton said. “In basketball, when you hit shots, it makes the game a lot easier, where at their place we didn’t shoot like that.”

Eden was led by senior Avery Condarco, who had 23 points and hit five 3-pointers. He also added 10 rebounds, two steals and an assist.

“He brings a lot of emotion, and he’s a great basketball player,” Shelton said of Condarco. “He’s a good kid, and he’s really tried hard to buy in. I think I’m the fourth basketball coach he’s had in four years, so he’s done a good job buying in. They all have. 

“He’s been looking for his shot. … That range, we haven’t seen that out of him this year, and he’s been kind of frustrated, so it was nice to see him come out of that funk tonight and hit some big shots for us.”

Eden freshman Jorge Mendez had 13 points and hit three 3-pointers, including one at the buzzer to give the Bulldogs a 9-7 lead at the end of the first quarter, and they never trailed again.

Condarco had three of his 3-pointers in the second quarter as Eden took a 25-17 lead into halftime.

The Bulldogs then outscored Menard 11-2 in a decisive third quarter that gave them a 36-19 lead heading into the final frame.

Eden finished strong and ultimately held Menard to only seven points after halftime.

It’s been quite a late-season surge for the Bulldogs, who began the season 1-8 before a coaching change. 

Eden has now won 14 of its last 19 games.

“(The midseason coaching change) was a tough thing, because I’m behind on installing stuff, and I changed our style of play,” Shelton said. “But to the kids’ credit, they’ve bought in and done the work. We have morning athletics, and they’re up here at 6:30 every morning, and then they come in and lift after school. 

“So to come together like this and get a win like that, I’m just really proud of them.”

Eden will have to refocus for another rivalry game Friday at Paint Rock, which is in third place in district.

“We’ve got a big one in Paint Rock, because it’s a tough place to play,” Shelton said. “I coached those kids in junior high and high school, so they’re my kids still, and they’re going to get their best player back this week. So it’s another emotional game on the road, and we’ll see if we’ve matured a little bit and can handle that environment.”

Menard will try to shake off Tuesday’s loss and move forward in its pursuit of at least a share of the district title. The Yellowjackets will be off Friday before hosting Paint Rock on Tuesday.

Eden 50, Menard 24

Menard   7   10   2   5 — 24

Eden   9   16   11   14 — 50

MENARD — Marlee Salas 2, Jaeger Leonard 6, Eli Weatherly 6, Maddox Saiz 2, Tate Wagner 8.

EDEN — Nate Barba 4, Avery Condarco 23, Julian Morales 10, Jorge Mendez 13.