Keegan Holly shot four three-pointers and Keanu Aiona turned in a double double to lead Sweet Home past Phoenix 58-44 on the road Friday night, Dec. 9, in boys basketball.
The following day, the Huskies were unable to contain North Valley guard Owen Hornbeck, who exploded for 33 points, and lost 61-54 Saturday night on the road.
SH 58, Phoenix 44
The Huskies built a small lead, 7-4, in the opening quarter against Phoenix.
“They made a run with two minutes left in the half to get a three-point lead,” said Coach Drew Emmert of the host team, but the Huskies were able to take it back for a 19-16 lead at halftime.
Sweet Home wasn’t able to get defensive stops in the third quarter, and the Pirates shaved the lead to two points by the fourth quarter, 38-36 at the buzzer. Holly nailed his four threes to keep the Huskies alive on the way to the fourth quarter.
“They have tough guards, but we have tough guards too,” Emmert said. He dropped his team into a zone to slow down Phoenix penetration. With an effective defense, the Huskies started pulling ahead to seal the win.
The Huskies struggled at the foul line, going 12-27, Emmert said, but overall shooting was better than opening week.
If the Huskies had gotten their stops in the third, he said, they would have pulled away sooner.
“It was a good win for us,” Emmert said. “It was our first 4A game, someone at our level. It was a good road win too.”
Aiona pulled down 12 rebounds and scored 14 on the game. Holly led scoring with 15 points. Daniel Virtue added 11; Jake Swanson, nine; Justin Carpenter, six; and Colton Smith, 3. David Lazano-Reyes led Phoenix with 13 points.
At North Valley, it was back and forth and tight going into the fourth quarter, Emmert said.
The Knights led 14-12 after one quarter and 27-23 at halftime. The Huskies tied North Valley by the end of the third, 42-42.
By the fourth quarter, “it looked like we ran out of gas,” Emmert said. “We looked tired. They made a little run to start the fourth. We just never recovered.
“It’s one we should’ve had,” Emmert said. “We played good. We just didn’t quite play good enough.”
Swanson, 6-3, did a good job defending against a 6-8 post, Emmert said, but Hornbeck scored 33 to lead North Valley and get the win.
“He should not have had that many,” Emmert said. “We let him get to it and didn’t slow him down at all.”
Holly led the Huskies with 14 points. Carpenter added 13; Aiona, 11; Virtue, eight; Swanson, four; Hayden Nichol, two; and Smith, two.
The Huskies were scheduled to face Jefferson at home Tuesday, Dec. 13. They then will host Siuslaw Monday, Dec. 19, at 7:15 p.m. and South Umpqua Tuesday, Dec. 20, at 4 p.m.
Sweet Home 7 12 19 20 – 58
Phoenix 4 12 20 8 – 44
Sweet Home scoring: Keegan Holly 15, Keanu Aiona 14, Daniel Virtue 11, Jake Swanson 9, Justin Carpenter 6, Colton Smith 3, Nathan Virtue.
Phoenix scoring: David Lazano-Reyes 13, Turnbull 9, Skaff 8, Pere 4, Watts 4, Hutsell 4, Botermans 2, Sabino.
Sweet Home 12 11 19 12 – 54
North Valley 14 13 15 19 – 61
Sweet Home scoring: Holly 14, Carpenter 13, Aiona 11, Virtue 8, Swanson 4, Hayden Nichol 2, Smith 2, Nathan Virtue.
North Valley scoring: Owen Hornbeck 33, Scott 16, Dubowsky 8, Sherier 2, Blaich 2, Lanby, McLittle, Jordan.