By Keeghan Gittins
For The New Era
The Sweet Home girls basketball team showed it can compete with top programs before snapping a four-game losing streak with a senior night win.
The Huskies fell 45-37 on the road Feb. 17 to No. 14 Molalla, but the close game demonstrated their ability to compete with higher-ranked opponents.
during their game Friday. – Keeghan Gittins photo
“We played a really competitive game against a great team in Molalla and made some adjustments in the second half defensively that made a big difference,” said Coach Erika Evans. “The girls never stopped competing for each other.”
Sweet Home bounced back Friday with a 34-31 win over Newport High School, breaking a four-game losing streak in dramatic fashion.
With the Huskies trailing late, senior Addy Vannice stole an inbounds pass in the closing seconds and dished to Taylor Gaskey under the rim. Gaskey’s layup gave Sweet Home a 33-31 lead with 19 seconds remaining and proved to be the game-winning basket.
Gaskey’s shot was notable as she had taken just 10 attempts inside the arc all season prior to Friday night.
Aaliyah Brown led the Huskies offensively with a game-high 14 points, shooting 6/14 from the field. Vannice led the defensive effort with three steals.
“Our version of success has long been defined by many other aspects than the scoreboard,” Evans said. “In our four games between wins, we had many victories in terms of our definition of success.
“While beating Newport High School on senior night was great, I think all of the girls would tell you we didn’t put on our best performance against them. This group is so much more resilient than being defined by the scoreboard; they know what their potential is, and as long as they are climbing toward it, they know they have a lot to be proud of.”
Senior leadership remained central to the victory.
“Our seniors – Loralai Mark, Vannice, and Aubrey Newberry – are awesome leaders who have poured their hearts into growing our girls basketball program from the ground up,” Evans said. “They have stuck it out, encouraged others to get better, and been leaders in many tough moments. They have truly been invaluable pieces in the growth of this program and the belief in our locker room.”
Evans called a late time out with 30 seconds left to reassure her team of the plan and strategy. Sweet Home had five fouls and couldn’t afford a foul, which would have given the visitors two free throw attempts.
“We made sure the time, score, and foul situation were all clear, made defensive adjustments and anticipated Newport’s strategy, and clarified our offensive intentions,” Evans said.
Brown’s consistency has helped power the Huskies’ offense all season, she said.
“Aaliyah has been a great offensive force all season,” the coach said. “She has been confident and has been expanding her avenues of scoring. She has also been working on being more of a distributor offensively.”
Vannice’s defensive presence continues to define Sweet Home’s identity. Her last steal on Friday night brought her season total to 54. The Huskies’ next closest is Brooke Elder, with 29. Vannice is averaging more than three steals per game.
“Addy has been a defensive force for longer than just this year,” Evans said. “She was a candidate last year for Defensive Player of the Year in our league. Other people stepping up defensively and being able to guard the primary ball handler this season – Brooke and Taylor specifically – has allowed Addy to focus more on off-ball steals. It really is a group effort, but a defensive identity that was led by Addy starting last season.”
Sweet Home will look to build on its momentum as it faces another tough stretch, traveling to play No. 7 Cascade on Feb. 24. They then will finish the regular season at home Saturday, Feb, 28, with a rescheduled matchup against No. 13 Madras.
