By Keeghan Gittins
For The New Era
Sweet Home’s girls began Oregon West Conference action on the road Jan. 20 against No. 6 Philomath, falling 55-20, before returning home to host No. 2 Stayton on Jan. 23 in a 55-23 loss. While the results didn’t swing in Sweet Home’s favor, the progress within those games, especially against elite competition, was clear.
“We played some of our best basketball against Stayton Friday night,” said Head Coach Erika Evans. “It was simultaneously the most points we have scored, and the least they have scored, in three years with essentially the same group of girls.”
After a challenging first half, the Huskies responded with one of their strongest stretches of the season, outscoring Stayton 24-14 in the second half. The effort highlighted Sweet Home’s ability to compete when executing together.
Facing three top-10 teams in a four-game span has tested the Huskies offensively, particularly with turnovers and shot efficiency. Over the last four games, Sweet Home has been held under 30 points, leading the coaching staff to focus on offensive confidence, timing, and ball movement in practice.
“We have been working on helping each player see where their strength is when it comes to scoring and instilling confidence in them to take those shots,” Evans said.
Execution remains a key focus as league play continues. Sweet Home has concentrated on improving offensive reads while also challenging shots at all three levels defensively, knowing that shooting percentages can fluctuate.
At 6-7 overall, the Huskies’ record reflects the difficulty of their schedule rather than a lack of progress. Defensively, Sweet Home has been solid from the start of the season, and Evans noted growth across the roster, particularly in individual defense and defensive awareness.
As the Huskies prepare for upcoming league matchups, including a contest against Newport, the goal is to string together four complete quarters on both ends of the floor.
“Our league is so tough, it would truly be easy to get discouraged if we didn’t believe we have something to prove,” Evans said. “Whoever is on the other side of the ball is going to know they were in a battle.”
