In a night intended to celebrate their seniors, the Allen Eagles took care of business against the Plano Wildcats with a 55-51 victory in a district showdown. With the win tonight, Allen finished with a regular season record of 24-7, while finishing second in district. The team also secured a spot in the playoffs, and will take on Northwest next week in the first round.

The Eagles got off to a slow start, as the first quarter ended with the Eagles down 9-13 and struggling to get rebounds. Allen continued to struggle on both sides of the glass in the second quarter, but the offense picked it up and were able to tie the game up at 26 entering halftime.

“It’s tough in games like this,” head coach Jeff McCullough said. “We made the plays down the stretch that we needed to make. It came down to seniors on senior night making crucial plays.”

The third quarter played out much like the second, with Plano pulling away early due to the Eagles struggles to get boards and make free throws. Sophomore point guard Jevon Jones took control of the Eagle offense at the end of the third to tie the game up at 39.

The game remained tight throughout the fourth quarter, but the Eagles would never relinquish their lead after an 8-1 run at the start of the quarter. Led by senior point and shooting guard Evan Smith, who finished the night with 14 points, the team played tight defense and started to capitalize on their free throw opportunities towards the end of the fourth. A crucial three-pointer by Smith and two clutch free throws by sophomore point and shooting guard Jerritt Dixon helped the team secure the 55-51 victory.

Going into their playoff game against a Northwest team that finished 21-12, McCullough said the team will be well prepared.

“When we’re clicking on four cylinders, we’re tough to beat,” McCullough said. “We’re dangerous, I wouldn’t want to play us this time of year.”