Central 48, Sweet Home 35

The Huskies didn’t win their second outing against Central in girls basketball on Jan. 27, but they were able to execute their offense, score and stay within striking distance and turn in a much better performance than the last time the two teams met.

The Huskies lost the game 48-35 after spending much of the game within three or four baskets of Central, the top team in the Val-Co. The last time the two teams played, Central won by 39.

The Panthers led 10-4 after one quarter and 23-16 at halftime. The Huskies trailed 34-22 in the third quarter. They were able to close the lead a little in the fourth, but Central answered their efforts.

“I think the key was we were able to execute,” Coach John Barnes said. The Huskies were able to find more open looks and score on them this time around.

Putting the ball in the basket has been the main area where the Huskies have struggled this season, he said, but they did it against Central.

“We executed very well and didn’t let them run away on us,” Barnes said. But Central still had answers when the Huskies scored.

“I thought we competed well,” Barnes said. “We were changing up our defenses. It didn’t stop them, but I think it slowed them down. Up against a team like that, which is the top class of the league, I was very pleased.”

Central 10 13 11 14 – 48

Sweet Home 4 12 6 13 – 35

Scoring

Central – Brianna Berg, 21; Wilder, 8; Rardin, 4; Kenyon, 4; Waddell, 3; Peters, 2; Mason, 2; Franko, 2; Cuellar, 1; Pflaum, 1; Hedrick.

Sweet Home – Emili Riggs, 10; Megan Rubidoux, 8; Courtnie Cuilla, 8; Rylee Cole, 6; Devyn Makin, 2; Kishya Davis, 2; Katie Nicholson; Annie Whitfield.

Philomath 70, Sweet Home 24

The Huskies lost 70-24 at Philomath on Friday in a game that was different like night and day from the Central game, Barnes said.

Philomath is second in league behind Central and has defeated Central

“We didn’t handle their pressure,” Barnes said. The Warriors were able to score a number of easy buckets.

Philomath led 14-3 after one quarter and 30-13 at halftime. Philomath led 52-22 at the end of the third.

Philomath is athletic and tall in the paint, he said, which made it difficult to get anything going underneath the hoop, especially when the Huskies weren’t executing their half-court set in the face of Philomath’s pressure.

The game had bright spots, Barnes said. Riggs had seven rebounds to go with her

Sweet Home 3 10 9 2 – 24

Philomath 14 16 22 18 - 70

Scoring

Sweet Home – Megan Rubidoux, 8; Annie Whitfield, 6; Megan Graville, 4; Devyn Makin, 3; Sarah Wyatt, 1; Rylee Cole, Courtnie Cuilla, Katie Nicholson; Kendall Anderson; Kishya Davis, Jasmin Yoder; Randi Muir.

Philomath: Rylee Marshall, 20; Watson, 8; T. Grunwald, 13; Schaudt, 13; Thorsness, 5; Harwood, 3; S. Grunwald, 6; Jensen, 2; Gray; Thomas.