The Husky girls basketball team lost to Gladstone and Cottage Grove at a tournament held in Cottage Grove Dec. 28-29.
They opened short four varsity players, including Paige Niemi, against Gladstrone Friday night, losing 82-39.
Fighting a lack of depth in experience, the Huskies trailed 21-7 after one quarter and 50-13 at halftime. At the same time, Gladstone had the depth to replace all five players every few minutes to run the Huskies and tire them out.
During the game, the Huskies lost Hillary McCartin to an injury as well, costing the team leadership and production, Coach Dave Goetz said. “She came back Saturday and gutted it out against Cottage Grove.
Ashley Danielson led Husky scoring with 15 points. Alex Thompson added 14; Jenny Hamn, six; Kishya Davs, two; and Celena Westfall, one.
Lisa Terry led Gladstone with 16 points.
The Huskies faced Cottage Grove on Saturday, losing 83-26. Cottage Grove led 20-7 at the end of the first quarter and 49-13 at halftime.
“The girls are playing so hard and aggressive, the minute we get into foul trouble, we’re in big trouble,” Goetz said. Hamn and McCartin were both in foul trouble early, clearing two team leaders off the floor before halftime.
Danielson led scoring with nine points. McCartin added seven; Hamn, five; Davis, two; and Brianna Yost, two.
D. Perky led Cottage Grove with 17 points.
Against Junction City on on Dec. 21, the Huskies lost 50-24.
Niemi led scoring with nine points. McCartin added six; Danielson, six; Thompson, two; and Rylee Cole, one.
Leah Mancino led Junction City with 16 points. Kayla Rauschart added 11.
All three teams are top-10 in polls, Goetz said. Playing these high-caliber teams in the preseason will help the Huskies as they enter league play next week.
The Huskies will host Philomath on Jan. 8 and travel to Taft on Jan. 11.
The Huskies will “continue competing,” Goetz said. “And we’re going to knock some teams off. We’re going to fight for getting into the playoffs.”