HALE - Mar. 2, 2010 - Hale felt it had a point to prove after a one-point loss to Tawas Area last month at the Palace.

The Eagles consider that point made after a 57-45 victory over the Braves on Tuesday, particularly after building an insurmountable 24-point lead in the third quarter.

Hale started the game hot from the outside with three 3-pointers, then took it inside where they usually find most of their offensive success and were never seriously challenged.

"We were pretty aggressive right out of the gate," said Hale coach Ryan Parkinson. "We got the ball where we wanted and hit some shots early. The big guys did a great job finishing at the basket. That was something we had a long talk about in the locker room, was finishing inside when we got it in there."

That mission was certainly accomplished: Hale shot 14-of-20 from 2-point range (70 percent) and 18-of-33 (55 percent) overall. Evan Caverly buried his first two triples in the first quarter, Christian Mudry made all six of his field goal attempts and Ben Katterman was 6-of-9 from the floor.

The Eagles were also 17-of-23 from the free throw line.

"Give Hale credit: They played better and wanted it a lot more than our guys," said Tawas coach Drew Decker. "Especially in that first quarter.

"We finally showed some intensity in the fourth quarter, but we need to play that hard all four quarters. You can't play just one quarter, especially against a good club. But again, you have to give Hale credit, they played very well."

Tawas picked up the defensive intensity in the fourth quarter and Jesse Siwek got untracked offensively, scoring 13 of his 21 points. Even so, the Braves got no closer than the final margin.

Parkinson was particularly pleased with how the Eagles responded coming off a tough loss at Hillman on Friday, and playing on Senior Night. Christian Moody, who is out for the season with an injured knee suffered last week, started and played the opening seconds before coming off to an ovation.

"It was an emotional night," Parkinson said. "You don't know how that will affect you, but it tonight it affected us in a positive way.

"And it was a fitting way to honor Christian, too."

Katterman finished with 19 points and 10 rebounds, Mudry scored 17 points and had nine rebounds and Tanner Shellenbarger had nine points, four assists and seven rebounds for the Eagles (17-2).

D.J. Decker added nine points for Tawas (9-10).