The Turlock Golden Eagles summer basketball program began their season on Wednesday at William Jessup University in Rocklin where over eight teams competed, with the Eagles squaring off in two games as they ended the day even at 1-1.

The Golden Eagles, who are primarily made up of Turlock Christian varsity players, are also coached by the TC boys basketball head man Eddie Sai.

It was a slow start in the first contest against Division I Bella Vista High, where the Golden Eagles dropped a 63-43 game, but then in the second game, the Eagles managed to sink the buckets at critical times and they put the beating on Forest Lake Christian, 68-45.

“We started out slow in the first game and getting it going with our new guard. They full court pressed, but once we adjusted, we did okay and then our second game we began to hit on all cylinders,” said Sai.

The Golden Eagles have eight returners from last year with newcomers on board. The summer tournament in which the Golden Eagles compete is currently hosted at William Jessup, where two games are played every Wednesday through July 2 with schools ranging from all high school divisions.

Beginning Friday, the team will compete in a tournament at California State University, Monterey Bay, playing in six games over the course of the weekend.

“There are tough games ahead of us — that’s how you get better, play bigger teams,” said Sai.

The Golden Eagles will play Pitman High at the end of the month, along with games at California State University, Stanislaus on June 27 and 28.

“We will see how the summer goes. We’re improving largely, a lot to win. We are working off last year to get better and knowing we got the big guys, despite losing our point guard, but working on our game to get better,” Sai added.