It was a tough week for Sweet Home basketball players.
The boys lost 48-29 on the road at Philomath Tuesday, Feb. 11, and then fell 65-31 to Stayton on Friday, Feb. 14.
Coach Drew Emmert said the boys, who were down “a couple of players” on Tuesday started well against the hosts, trailing 18-14 at halftime.
But, he said, “our lack of hitting shots just caught up to us. They made a couple of little runs in the second half and we didn’t respond with runs of our own.”
Stayton on Friday, he said, was a “tough loss” to a “really good team.”
“They got going early and we struggled to stop them. They also shot well.
“We had moments where we played tough, but weren’t consistent enough on either end.”
Up next for the boys is No. 9 North Marion at home on Tuesday, Feb. 18, and then a trip to No. 8 Newport on Friday, Feb. 21.
In a league in which every other team is ranked in the top 10 this week, Emmert said the Huskies’ youth has taken its toll.
“With us being the youngest team in the state, we knew and we know that we have to play a great game to give ourselves a chance versus these top teams in the state,” he said. “We have a resilient group with good character. This is a good group that plays for each other, which will be great for future years and give us a chance in the next three games.
“We just need to keep pushing forward and try to steal one from North Marion on Tuesday.”
Girls Basketball
Sweet Home’s girls also had a tough week, falling on Tuesday, Feb. 11, to No. 2 Philomath 53-18 and then to No. 1 Stayton at home 75-19.
The girls team, also very young in both age and court experience, has made more progress than is visible on the scoreboard, Coach Erika Evans said.
“They do good things every day, things that they couldn’t manage last year,” Evans said. “Sometime it’s hard to keep that in sigh when you’re a teenager and playing such tough competition in league.
“But they are doing great things and building a program.”
She said she has appreciated watching her Huskies “work together to come into their leadership qualities.”
“This group really brings the best out of each other in many ways and to see them pull out and expect of each other, their individual leadership characteristics, has been awesome to watch.”
The girls are hosting North Marion Tuesday, Feb. 18, and then will travel to Newport on Feb. 21.
“We are excited to battle this week with North Marion and Newport,” Evans said.