By Mike Warner
For The New Era
Lebanon’s girls emerged from the second week of Mid-Willamette Conference play within striking distance of the lead after a 60-42 win at Corvallis and a close 45-41 loss to Silverton.
On the road Friday, Jan. 16, at Corvallis, the Warriors were looking to get back on track after falling to the Foxes at home on Tuesday.
They did that and more, thoroughly controlling the hosts in commanding fashion.
The Warriors used their stingy 1-2-2 zone press and 1-2-2 zone half-court trap to control the game, leading 19-4 at the first quarter buzzer and 38-19 at the half.
The third quarter was much the same, as Lebanon extended its lead to 54-25, before putting the reserves on the floor for the final period.
The Warriors shot 35.3% (24/68) from the field and 30.6% (6/20) from three-point land. Their 24 made shots came from 13 assists.
Lebanon’s tenacious defense forced 22 Corvallis turnovers, which opened up Lebanon’s running game.
All five starters contributed to the win in a balanced attack.
Jayden Hare led all scorers with 14 points, adding three assists, while Piper Sewell had 11 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals.
Ruby VandenBos had eight points and three assists; Peyton Vorderstrasse had eight points, six boards, and four assists; and Hazel Pepperling finished with 10 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and four steals.
Sewell is new to the team, transferring in from East Linn Christian this yea
“I love the team,” she said. “I knew a lot of the girls from my eighth-grade team, so it was a good transition for me.”
The girls come into this week 3-1 in league and 9–3 overall, ranked 11th in the state.
Lebanon, West Albany, South Albany and Silverton are bunched at the top of the early MWC standings, with a matchup at West Albany Tuesday and a home game Central Friday on the schedule for this week.
Silverton edges Lebanon girls
Silverton jumped out to an early 10-5 lead at the end of the first quarter and the Warriors found themselves chasing the visitors the rest of the game.
Lebanon cut the lead to three, 19-16, at the half but couldn’t get any closer.
Both teams had control of at least one facet of the game. Silverton won the rebounding battle 43 to 27, while the Warriors caused 29 turnovers, while only recording 17 themselves.
Shooting was the main concern for Lebanon. They shot 24% (15/58) from the field, 21% (6/28 from three) and 44% (7/16) from the free throw line.
“Coach O does such a great job with those guys,” Lebanon Head Coach Andrew Evans said of his counterpart, Alyssa Ogle. “Defensively, we were able to put some pressure on them but offensively we struggled and a lot of that had to do with how fundamental they were defensively.
“It was good for us to see where we need to be, mid-season”.
Many Warriors contributed to the team totals: Vorderstrasse led the team in scoring with 15, also recording three rebounds and two steals. Pepperling was held below her scoring average with only eights points, but she pulled down 14 boards, and finished with five steals and two assists. VandenBos scored eight points, collected three rebounds and two steals, while Hare scored seven and created two steals. Sewell had eight steals, four rebounds and four assists, but was slowed offensively, finishing with three points.
