SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- Jace Easley scored a career high 26 points as No. 11 Our Savior's opened the season by rolling past Salem Jacksonville 71-47 on Wednesday Night.
Easley a fifth-grader joined by his fellow classmates Conor McCaffrey and Drew Dejaynes, added a much needed boost to an Eagles team that finished 12-23 last season. These three, playing their first ever Our Savior's basketball game, played in sync and the Eagles soared out for an early lead.
Conor McCaffrey added in 14 points, while Drew Dejaynes scored 8.
Springfield Our Savior's added 8 new players onto the roster this summer, and all eight of those players saw the floor tonight. The class of 2020 members scored 55 of the teams 71 total points, a big boost to this Eagles squad.
"I knew that we have a lot of scorers on this team, but my mentality wasn't even to come in and score at all," Easley said. "It was to know my assignment on defense first, knowing the scouting report. I got in foul trouble early and I didn't let that effect me.
"And I was just letting the game come to me."
McCaffrey, is a combo guard, who was thrown into poing guard duties after Gabe King struggled and Drew Dejaynes picked up his 3rd foul in the first half. McCaffrey handled the point guard duties and seemed to thrive there.
He drilled a 3 to put the Eagles up 21-2 midway through the 2nd quarter off a Salem mishap, one of the 14 first-half turnovers that led to 13 points for Our Savior's.
"My expectation for Conor is probably a lot higher than his is," Our Savior's coach Todd Dejaynes said. "He has no idea how good he is going to be."
Dejaynes also praised the versatility of Easley, who finished 9 of 14 from the floor, including 3 of 4 from 3-point range.
"Jace took over in a stretch and you see what he's added to his game with his off-the-bounce game," Dejaynes said.
Jonas James scored 14 points for Salem Jacksonville.
BIG PICTURE
Our Savior's showed some depth on this squad, something this team lacked last season. A fantastic performance from Easley and strong performances from McCaffrey and Dejaynes bode well for a backcourt that is unproven beyond Easley. The Eagles held a 45-35 edge in rebounds while limiting Salem to 37.3% shooting.
UP NEXT
Salem: At Homeschool Sabers on Saturday.
Our Savior's Hosts Danville on Saturday.