Falcons beat Bradleyville Eagles in district championship


The Dora Falcons are Class 1 District 4 champions after beating Bradleville Friday, Feb. 23. Members of the team are, from left, (front row) JJ Ryan, Kaleb Harris, Colby Collins, Isaac Haney, Mason Luna, Bryson Luna; (back row) coach Rick Luna, Robert Vigdal, Brent McKemie, Austin White, Waylon Masters, Auston Luna, coach Joshua Strong, coach Paxton Smith. Photo by Karla Smith.

200th win: Dora coach Rick Luna, pictured with his triplet sons Mason, Bryson and Auston, was presented with a plaque commemorating his 200th win as a Dora coach following the district championship victory over Bradleyville Friday. Photo by Karla Smith.

The Dora Falcons defeated the Bradleyville Eagles 77-51 to win the Class 1 District 4 championship Friday, Feb. 23. With the win, the Falcons, whose starting line-up includes four freshmen, set a new school record for number of wins in a season with its overall record of 24-5. 

The Falcons jumped out to an early lead with a 9-2 run against the Eagles. “We were able to put a lot of pressure on the ball and forced several early turnovers,” said head coach Rick Luna. 

The Falcons closed out the first quarter with a 21-11 lead and led 41-25 at the half. “Offensively, we did a good job moving the ball and scoring in transition,” Luna said. “Defensively, the boys did what they do best - which is ball pressure. Our best offense is our defense.”

Isaac Haney led the scoring with a game-high 20 points. Coach Luna’s triplet sons were also in the double digits – Bryson and Mason with 14 each and Auston with 11. Austin White added 9, Brent McKemie 4, Kaleb Harris 2, Robert Vigdal 2 and Waylon Masters 1.

Auston Luna recorded his second “triple double” with 11 points, 16 rebounds and 10 steals, and racked up 7 assists in the game. “Auston had an unbelievable stat line, but it was a total team effort from the guys,” Luna said.

The victory also marked Luna’s 200th career win as a Dora coach. After the game, Dora superintendent Steve Richards and athletic director Dylan Fox surprised Luna with a plaque commemorating the moment.

“ I just want to say thank you to my coaching staff, former players and my current players for all those victories,” Luna said.  “Coaching good kids both on the court and in the classroom makes a coach’s job much easier.  Getting the 200th in the championship game plus coaching my own boys made it one of those nights I will always remember.”  

The Falcons fell to the the Eminence Redwings 61-76 at the sectional game held Tuesday, Feb. 27, at Mountain Grove.

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