EHT - Braggin' Rights

The Saline County rivalry was renewed Monday night - and this time with a twist.

Harrisburg and Eldorado met up in the quarterfinals of the Eldorado Holiday Tournament, where behind a game-high 16 points, Patrick Bittle helped lead Harrisburg to a 44-39 win at Duff-Kingston Gymnasium.

Harrisburg has won the last eight meetings with Eldorado, with the last Eagle win coming in 2008-09 when EHS won 80-75 under then head coach and now athletic director Greg Goodley.

After Monday night, Harrisburg has won 24 of 26 games at the EHT and will now play Webster Co. Ky., in today's semifinal matchup at 1:30 p.m.

Eldorado got 10 points from John Meredith, who gave Eldorado a 31-29 lead in the fourth quarter. It was the first time Eldorado had the lead since the Eagles were ahead 9-8 with 7:20 to play in the second quarter.

In the final eight minutes there were six lead changes and four ties, the last coming when Blake Drue broke a 37-37 tie with a bucket to give Harrisburg a 39-37 lead with 1:27 to play.

Drue finished with 11 points for Harrisburg, while Isaiah Saulsberry scored six points, Jordan Gould had five points, Hunter Smith put in four points and Jordan Bartok had a bucket late to help Harrisburg to the win.

Adam Ninness had eight points for the Eagles, who will play NCOE in the fifth place bracket today at 10 a.m. Clay Boulds chipped in with seven points for the EHS, while Ethan Partridge fouled out with six points. Braden Attebury scored five points and Max Kasiar finished with four points.