Bolton hoops youth movement

BOLTON LANDING | After graduating a trio of 1,000-point scorers over the past two seasons (Kate Van Auken, Maria Baker and Kevin Neacy), the Bolton varsity basketball programs are starting to see a youth movement in their ranks. The varsity boys basketball team is led by a duo of student-athletes not yet in high school, as eighth-grader Jace Hubert has been in the Eagle starting lineup from the beginning of the season, and has been joined by seventh-grade callup Jaxon Egloff, who is running the point guard position. "We have a small team, so more numbers help, coach wanted me to come up, and I was ready for the challenge," said Hubert. "The pressure and the intensity from the older guys we are playing against was the biggest part of the challenge. The game play is faster, but it is fun and I am enjoying it." Hubert said he also had to work on his shooting touch, something he has proven in recent games, connecting on five three-pointers as part of an 18-point performance against Boquet Valley Jan. 20. "I got in the gym whenever I could and focused on my shot and touch," said Hubert. "I'm just excited for the future. We are going to have a really fun time in the years ahead." Egloff then joined Hubert on the varsity to help them with numbers. "I thought it would happen because our modified team was having a lot of success and the varsity team only had seven players, so I thought I would get pulled up to give the team another sub," said Egloff, who quickly went from bench to starter and scored 15 points against the Griffins Jan. 20. "I was excited to get called up because it is more of a challenge and the players I am going against are a lot bigger," Egloff said. "It has been a lot of fun. Everyone is a lot stronger and more athletic — I hope I grow a few inches — but I think the season is going good. I feel like I am doing a lot better than I expected." Back together after teaming on elementary teams, Hubert and Egloff have drawn comparisons to the Bolton duo of Ryan Volkmann and Blair Ciccarelli, who led Bolton to a sectional final in 2003 against eventual state runner-up Moriah. "I have been on elementary teams with Jason for a while and it's good to be with him again," said Hubert. "It's going to be fun," said Egloff. "We want to win more games, get into sectionals and see where we can go." And Jaxon is not the only Egloff making a name on the varsity scene as his sister, eighth-grader Jadynn, has been leading the Lady Eagles throughout the first half of the season, scoring 12 against Boquet Valley Jan. 21. "This season has helped me so much as a player to develop confidence," said Jadynn. "It has been a great year for me and I am now use to the game." Egloff said the tempo of the varsity game has been her biggest adjustment. "At first it was getting used to the speed and pace of the game, but now that we are into the season that part is getting easier and easier," she said. Egloff added she was proud of her brother when he received his callup, telling him to keep playing his game. "He has been a good basketball player for a long time and I knew he could do it," she said. "I told him to play like he always does." Egloff is also part of a core of youthful players on the Bolton squad, which includes classmate Maillie Kelley and a core of five sophomores, including Jace Hubert's sister, Ila. "We just want to develop as a team and go as far as we can. We have a good future coming up with all of the girls," Egloff said.

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Bolton hoops youth movement

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