Erin Slinde is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Scottsdale Christian Academy for AZPreps365.com

The Arizona Lutheran Academy boys basketball team was no match for the Scottsdale Christian Academy defense on Wednesday night as the Eagles earned their sixth win of the season, 66-28.

Arizona Lutheran (7-3) had scored between 52 and 67 points in their past five games, but the Eagles (6-1) defense came out strong and only allowed four points in the first quarter. 

Scottsdale Christian's first-year head coach, John Anderson, prepared the Eagles for their high-scoring opponent. 

“Our goal tonight was to hold them 12 points under their average,” Anderson said.

The Coyotes bounced back in the second quarter and scored 15 points including three 3-point shots by junior Jack Schaumberg. 

“We addressed those changes during halftime and made some good key changes,” Anderson said. 

The Eagles scored 26 points in the third quarter, building a 22-point lead.

“Changing up our defense is something we like to do a lot and continue that ball pressure to create those turnovers,” junior guard Garrison Sherman said.

Many players on the Eagles' bench saw playing time in the fourth quarter.

“Anytime you can get a younger guy on the court in a varsity game, it’s hard to replace that experience,” Anderson said.

“The freshman and sophomores are the ones that are pushing us every day in practice and that’s the only reason why we go out there and execute our plays” senior guard Matthew Fan said. 

Arizona Lutheran coach Doug Meyer was unhappy with his team’s performance.

“A big part of it is just guys who have the ability to lead and step up. First, they have to lead by example, but then they have to lead also by the words they say,” Meyer said.

“They have to challenge each other a little bit, but it doesn’t matter if a coach, or a teacher, or a parent tells them to do something. It only matters whether they do it themselves,” Meyer said.

The Eagles will host Phoenix Christian (2-7) at 7 p.m. Friday.

Arizona Lutheran will host Trivium Prep (5-1) at 7:30 p.m. Friday.