By Stacey Fisher
Freelance reporter
Special to the Tribune

On Tuesday, January 21, the Skyline Thunderbirds took the short trip to neighboring Cunningham for the 2025 Boys’ 54 Classic. The Tournament was played on Tuesday and the following Friday, with the games concluding on Saturday, January 25.

The Thunderbirds’ seeding matched them up against a tough Norwich team in the first round of play. While Skyline battled, the Eagles came up with the win with a final tally of 51-29. Returning to the red gym on Friday to take on Attica in second-round play, the Thunderbirds came with strengthened resolve and defeated the Bulldogs in a close game, 35-31.

This set the stage for Saturday’s game in which the Birds faced the Coyotes of Kinsley to decide who would take home some hardware. Skyline pressured the ball throughout and came up with steals and fast-break lay-ups to get the win, 43-39. It was the Thunderbirds’ fast and furious defense that made the difference in the tournament.

“Our defense was our bright spot. Even in our loss to Norwich, we played with a lot of intensity on the defensive side; [although] Norwich was able to handle the pressure and convert on their opportunities,” said Head Coach Hagen Turner. “We are spreading the scoring out most games but need a couple of guys to step up and be more consistent for us on that side of the floor. [The] boys are grinding and aren’t shying away from the high-level competition we have faced thus far. It has made us tougher as a whole and I’m proud of them for that. As always, GO BIRDS.”

Taking home individual honors were Matthias Bair and Owen Flora, who won second place in the Three-Point and Free-throw competitions, respectively. The boys will be resting and recouping the rest of this week as Skyline hosts the Girls’ 54 Classic. Play starts on Tuesday, January 28, continues on Friday, January 31, and finishes on February 1, Saturday.