ZEBULON - One night after a tough loss against rival Franklin Academy, the East Wake Academy Eagles faced potent conference opponent Kestrel Heights and suffered their sixth loss of the season on Friday, 73-36.

The Eagles (4-7, 2-2) looked to right the ship after falling in the two previous games in the week, and things started off well for East Wake Academy as Jimmy Polito opened the game with a pair of 3-point makes for the 6–0 lead.

But once the Hawks settled down and made use of their height advantage they took control. The Eagles had trouble defending against that height and had trouble scoring on the other end of the floor.

East Wake Academy scored 18 points in the first quarter, but scored 18 total points in the rest of the game

Polito finished with 12 points while Eagle teammate Terrance McCarthy added 6 points.

With the loss, the Eagles remain winless at home this season.

Thursday’s loss to Franklin wasn’t as shabby on paper, but Eagle head coach Miguel Bonano said the same factor that led to the loss against Kestrel led to the 53-42 loss to the Patriots. He wasn’t talking about height.

“Two games in a row with poor shooting was the difference for us this week,” Bonano said. “We lost to Franklin Academy by 11 points while shooting just 28 percent from the field. We lost by nearly 40 against a great Kestrel team shooting only 38 percent. You cannot win shooting like that. Then add in turnovers and you see the results. Once we learn to take care of the ball better and find a way to finally break through that lid on the basket we will be alright.”

The Eagles maintained possession and held a 7-1 lead for most of the first quarter against Franklin, but the Pats battled back to take a 9-7 lead.

Franklin Academy upped the tempo and forced several turnovers that resulted in a 23–18 halftime lead, and never let off the gas.

Polito led East Wake Academy with 14 points, while Collin Blank had a season high 9-point effort on the night.