Ken Roberts
For The New Era
A devastating second-quarter defensive stand powered Sweet Home by Taft, 66-32, last Tuesday at home.
The victory, the Huskies’ second of the year, was the most lopsided win for the Huksies in approximately 20 years and brought Sweet Home’s league record to 1-2 with another home game scheduled against Newport this Tuesday.
Sweet Home established a 10-2 lead early in the first quarter and never looked back.
With just a three-point lead in the second quarter, Sweet Home blitzed the Tigers 23-2 to post a 37-13 lead at halftime.
Rylee Cole stole the ball six times from the point guard or on passes to the post, with five of those steals turning into easy lay-ins by Cole.
“I read her passes because they were the same every time,” explained Cole. “I overplayed the post and they still tried to pass to her.”
Coach John Barnes was excited about the level of intensity that the Huskies brought to the court.
“They had the right attitude and couldn’t be denied,” emphasized Barnes. “They could have played at Taft’s level, but they didn’t.”
Barnes thought the defensive prowess of the Huskies changed the tone of the game.
“Our press worked again,” stated Barnes. “Taft couldn’t handle our pressure. Rylee had a huge impact.”
In the second half, the Huskies continued to steadily pull away. Jenny Hamn, Sweet Home’s leading scorer with 16 points, dominated the low post as the Huskies looked to use her physical presence in the half court offense.
When that wasn’t being done, Megan Rubidoux and Devyn Makin added firepower, with Rubidoux notching 13 points and Makin chipping in 10 more.
Though Cole led in steals with eight, Makin wasn’t far behind with six and Rubidoux, Cortnie Cuilla, and Briana Yost all had three.
Hamn and Emili Riggs each had seven rebounds with Hamn’s all being on the offensive glass. Dawnita Justham contributed five rebounds.
After Newport, the Huskies start the second round of league games with Friday’s contest at Central.
“We can compete in this league when we our taking care of our responsibilities and execute,” said Barnes.
Hamn said the victory came at the right time.
“We really needed it with Newport coming up,” Hamn acknowledged. “It boosts our self-esteem to know that we can do it.”
SH €“ 14 23 13 16 66
Taft €“ 8 5 10 9 32
Sweet Home: Hamn 16, Rubidoux 13, Cole 10, Makin 10, Cuilla 4, Riggs 4, Yost 4, Whitfield 3, Niemi 2, Davis, Justham, Trewin
Taft: Taylor 25, Gray 7, Hagemeister 5, Brandenburg 2, Vrell 2