A group of nine athletes from Eastern Heights Middle School set out this year with two ambitious goals: Go undefeated. Win the title.
They did both.
The eighth grade Boys Basketball team of Eastern Heights Middle has been the talk of the Southwestern Conference (SWC) all season long. Not just for the team’s grit and sheer talent, but for the players’ show of sportsmanship and the obvious bond they share on and off the court.
“They come to practice every day and work hard,” Coach Paul Skorvanek said. “Some of them have been playing basketball together since they were in fourth grade, which is awesome. They have a natural bond.”
The team was unbeatable in the regular season and showed that same spirit in the conference semifinals. On March 10, Eastern Heights went head to head with Amherst Junior High School for the conference title and won with a score of 51 to 39.
“Last year’s seventh grade team came one win away from the championship and going undefeated for the whole season. They lost in the championship game last season,” Skorvanek said. “We set out this year to go undefeated and win the championship in the new conference to bring home the title to the new Eastern Heights building. They are the No. 1 seed.
“It’s been a while since eighth grade boys have won a title in their respective division,” he said. “They came close last year but the last time eighth grade finished with a trophy was two years ago, and they finished third in their conference. This year we’re hoping for a little bit more.”
They earned it. Congratulations, Eastern Heights!
You will find coverage of the Eastern Heights eighth grade basketball team, and highlights from the Conference final, at on Elyria Schools PioneerTV YouTube at Heights Basketball