The Philip Scotties boys' basketball team began their 2008-09 season with a home game against their rivals, the Wall Eagles.

The game was back and forth action. The score was often tied, though the end of the third quarter showed a 14 point spread. The Scotties sank the game's first basket, then dictated the pace for the first quarter, which ended with the low score of 9-6. A cautious, ball-controlling start continued, though loosened up a bit, through the second quarter. The Scotties ended the half with a 29-22 lead.

The third quarter's last four minutes went against Philip and the quarter ended 37-51. The Scotties rallied hard. With 50 seconds remaining, Philip's Brandon O'Dea made the tying score at 56-56. At 36 seconds, a free throw by Wall put the Eagles back into the lead. With 14 seconds on the clock, Wall sank another free throw to inch ahead to 56-58. The Scotties could not get off another shot before the clock ran out at 56-58.

Philip Scotties 9 29 37 56

Wall Eagles 6 22 51 58

Philip leading scorers: Brandon O'Dea - 18, Casey Cvach - 14, Rob Williamson and Caleb Clements - 8 each, Jordan Hauk and Jade Nelson - 4 each. Free throws: Williamson - 2 of 2, O'Dea - 1 of 3.

Philip leading assists: Hauk and Cvach - 3 each, Williamson, Clements and O'Dea - 2 each.

Philip leading steals: O'Dea - 5, Jeb Stewart - 3, Williamson, Hauk and Clements - 1 each.

Philip leading blocks: Hauk and Cvach - 2 each, O'Dea - 1.

Leading rebounders: Cvach - 12 (10 defensive - 2 offensive), Clements - 7 (3-4), O'Dea - 6 (4-2), Hauk - 5 (3-2), Nelson - 4 (1-3), Williamson - 3 (3-0), Stewart -2 (2-0). Turnovers: O'Dea - 9, Cvach - 4, Williamson - 3, Stewart, Nelson and Clements - 1 each.

The results and statistics of the junior varsity game were not available.

The next game for the Philip boys will be a home game at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 18, against the Stanley County Buffaloes. Philip will then host the Edgemont Moguls at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 20. On Monday, December 22, at 3:00 p.m., the Scotties will be in Kadoka to challenge the Kougars.