Sweet Home’s boys moved out of a three-game slump on the basketball court, beating Cascade 83-64 to notch their first Oregon West League game Friday night at home.
“We needed that one,” said Coach Drew Emmert. “I thought we played well, played hard and got a lead early.”
The Huskies lost their first three league games to Woodburn, Stayton and, in overtime to Philomath. Along with Sweet Home, all are in the top 10 in statewide rankings. Emmert said his players should have gotten that win against Philomath.
Cascade, ranked 18th in the state, is a good team, Emmert said. Cascade beat ninth-ranked Philomath and carried an 8-3 record in non-league games to start the season.
“We hit a few shots early,” Emmert said. “It helps our confidence. We’re really tough when we’re in rhythm.”
Sweet Home, which scored on about 22 percent of their shots a week earlier against Stayton, shot 43 percent Friday night.
Hitting their shots, the Huskies were able to get into their press, Emmert said. Cascade gave up 21 turnovers, while the Huskies had 18.
Sweet Home jumped out to a 25-12 lead in the first quarter. Cascade cut it to seven during the second, but the Huskies brought another run to lead 40-22 at halftime. Sweet Home continued building a lead into the third and was ahead 56-35 headed in the final quarter when Cascade was able to cut the lead briefly back to 14 points.
“We didn’t really change anything,” Emmert said. “We just played harder and played together.”
Everyone who’s scouted Sweet Home knows what to expect, Emmert said. “It’s just how we’re going to execute.”
Tyler Aiden stepped up big, Emmert said. He scored 20 points and shot 12-12 from the foul line.
As a team, the Huskies shot better from the free throw line, he said.
Jake Swanson added 16 points and pulled down 16 rebounds.
“As a whole, we played so much better,” Emmert said.
Drake Davis led the Cougars with 23 points. Carson Molan added 20.
The Huskies were scheduled to host Sisters Tuesday. They visit Newport Friday and will host Woodburn at 7 p.m. on Jan. 29.
Cascade 12 10 13 29 – 64
Sweet Home 25 15 16 27 – 83
Cascade scoring: Drake Davis 23, Molan 20, Starnes 10, Nolan 9, Bertsch 2, Diehl, Taber, Kanoff, Sande.
Sweet Home scoring: Aiden Tyler 20, Jake Swanson 16, Casey Tow 14, Hunter Coulter 11, Colton Smith 6, Zach Zanona 5, Jasper Korn 2, Cade Gaskey 2, Brayden Keesee, Austen Miller.