The Huskies obliterated Illinois Valley, 70-29, Friday on the road, then experienced a similar result at the hands of North Valley the next day at the North Valley Tournament
“Our kids, I think, were excited to play,” said Coach Brandon Gaskey. “They (Illinois Valley) weren’t as talented as other teams, but we didn’t do much wrong.”
The Huskies opened the night with a dominating 20-10 first quarter and expanded their lead to 35-19 by halftime and 51-23 by the end of three quarters.
Senior Hunter Jutte had a huge game, Gaskey said. He played the passing lanes and took advantage of the opponent’s weaknesses, stealing the ball eight times and leading to wide-open layups. He also recorded four assists, and he led the Huskies with 30 points, including a three.
Senior Kevin Seiber knocked down a pair of threes.
Sophomore Daniel Virtue has been playing the lights out, Gaskey said, and he’s earned himself a permanent varsity position with his timely scoring from the bench and excellent defense rebounding.
The Huskies were shorthanded over the weekend with Kyler Gaskey remaining injured from the previous game. Brandon Gaskey expected him to return Tuesday evening.
Sweet Home 20 15 16 19 – 70
Illinois Valley 10 9 4 6 – 29
Sweet Home: Hunter Jutte 30, Daniel Virtue 10, Kevin Seiber 8, Jake Bangot 6, Andre Holmes 5, Ryan Adams 4, Keanu Aiona 3, Tyler Plebuch 2, Brycen Mitten 2, Eric Burks, Justin Carpenter, Justin Tow.
Illinois Valley: Andrew Sherier 7, Davis 6, Worly 4, Hostkoetter 4, McLanahan 4, Fortney 2, Tree.
North Valley 70, SH 41
Jutte came up with another big game on the road Saturday, dropping four threes and scoring 20, but it wasn’t enough to overcome a devastating North Valley assault in the first quarter.
North Valley led 24-4 by the end of the first quarter and 27-16 at halftime. The Huskies trailed 52-33 by the end of the third quarter.
“We did not play a good game,” Gaskey said. “We seemed to be tired, out of our element and out of our routine. We didn’t have a lot of energy.”
The Huskies had spent the night in a hotel, and they ended up waiting around most of Saturday for their game, Gaskey said.
North Valley is ranked in the top five right now, Gaskey said, and he believes it was the state champion three years ago. The coaching staff has been in place for seven years, and the team features a talented 6’5” wing.
The team has quality players, and it was a tough match-up, Gaskey said. The Huskies will have another chance against North Valley at the upcoming Stayton tournament to be held Dec. 30 and Dec. 31.
Overall, “I’m anxious to get back on the court and not let this loss dwell on these kids,” Gaskey said. “I think we’ve got a good, quality team, and I think we’ll bounce back from this.
“I’m happy with the kids. It’s young. We’re only three games into the season and still finding our way.”
Gaskey said that Drew Emmert arrives in Sweet Home this week to begin coaching the junior varsity and assisting at the varsity level.
Sweet Home 4 12 17 8 – 41
North Valley 24 13 15 19 – 70
Sweet Home: Jutte 20, Adams 9, Virtue 5, Aiona 3, Bangot 2, Mitten 2, Burks, Seiber, Tow, Carpenter, Plebuch.
North Valley: Chris Morsa 20, Thompson 13, Busald 12, Whitemore 6, Hobgood 6, Martz 6, Stegemiller 4, Fairman 2, Lauby 1, Hook, Bailey.